Characterization and Symbolism in Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Actors have interesting methods of converting their personalities into a totally different character. Not only can they change who they are, but they can also manipulate what they symbolize within their acting. Throughout past writer’s lifetimes, people would often include references to the bible in their novels through their use of symbolism in certain items or characters. William Golding is one example of a past writer that included many symbolic items throughout his writing. In Lord of The Flies, William Golding successfully uses characterization and symbolism to powerfully reveal the tragic state of society is the result of inherent defects in human nature.

Characterization is the key to revealing various personalities throughout a novel. In Golding’s Lord of The Flies, he includes the character of Ralph, to represent a naturally born leader. Ralph is elected by the boys of the island to become chief due to his differentness. Harold Bloom states, “…his actions prompt the reader to believe there is hope that practicality and civility can exist, even among youngsters left to care for themselves in the wild” (Bloom 14). As Ralph continues his role as leader throughout the book, Golding incorporates how Ralph attempts to live by the rules, but emerges from innocence toward the end of the novel due to the corruption of the other boys. Oldsey and Weintraub write, “At the novel’s end Ralph has emerged from his age of innocence; he sheds tears of experience, after having proven himself a “man” of humanistic fait and action” (21-22). In addition, Golding includes Piggy to represent logic and reason. Babb declares; “Piggy is devoted to the orderly process of civilization…” (24). Piggy fought for his belief in order even durin...

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...things Ralph weeps for, “the end of innocence” and “the darkness of man’s heart.” (Medcalf 70). Golding successfully uses characterization and symbolism to represent the fall of mankind and the defects of human nature.

The inherent defects in human nature are powerfully revealed in the tragic state of society through William Golding’s use of characterization and symbolism in novel, Lord of The Flies. Golding’s use of each character and item throughout the novel allow the reader to view the purpose from a symbolical view. Golding takes the reader back to when humans began through a story of young boys to represent the corruption humans have endured since the beginning of time. Although mankind is subject to following the proper morals of right and wrong, Golding successfully demonstrates and reveals that all humans have a portion of weakness of evil from within.