William Golding-Lord of the Flies

William Golding-Lord of the Flies

  • Submitted By: BJLee26
  • Date Submitted: 08/11/2008 7:28 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 724
  • Page: 3
  • Views: 4

William Golding-Lord of the Flies

In the novel “Lord of the Flies” the author William Golding portrays the increasing power of evil within each boy on the island through the use of imagery, motifs and a wide range of language techniques. This is also shown through the first, pig killing occurrence to the bloodthirsty murder of the sow that takes place towards the end of the novel.

In the early chapters of “Lord of the flies” food is a major concern for the boys. Aware of the pigs that roam the island, Jack who is the lead hunter in the novel is reluctant to take the life of a living animal when “He raised his arm in the air” but paused “and the blade remained at the end of a bony arm.” Jack’s civilized nature holds him back from creating bloodshed but this is later reversed as Jack transforms into a primal character, thriving off killing and hunting. Golding suggests this through the use of imagery during the killing off the sow “Jack found the throat and the hot blood spouted over his hands.” This is effective as it gives the reader a vivid picture of the once civilized Jacks conversion into a savage who has been overpowered by the evil lurking within him.

Secondly, an example of the increase of evil is the alteration of the choir boys. With their leader Jack turning savage, the choir boys that originally walked in a “sweaty march” in their “black cloaks with a silver cross” had no other option but to mimic their role model. Ralph, who is aware that the boys need food, appoints the choir boys the main food source suppliers. The power of being hunters eventually goes to the choir boys heads, turning them into bloodthirsty killers that have replaced church singing with the cruel sow killing chant “Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!” This proves that the boys gain satisfaction from the sadistic ways they torture the pigs. This could also suggest how the evil in one boy has possessed a group.

Golding use several swear words to...

Similar Essays