Allegory in The Lord of the Flies By

Allegory in The Lord of the Flies By William Golding Allegory within the novel

Definition of Allegory • William Golding uses so much symbolism in Lord of the Flies that many critics agree that it is an allegory- a writing that has “a double meaning” • A story in which people, things and actions represent an idea or generalization about life; allegories often have a strong moral lesson. • Often, characters in allegories personify some abstract quality.

Types of Allegories • Political • Psychological • RELIGIOUS

Political Allegory • As a political allegory we need only to look at the state of the world at the end of World War II. The world was divided into two camps the free world and the Soviet Union much like the camps of Ralph and Jack.

Political Allegory • In addition the postwar Cold War Era suffered from fears of atomic destruction. Lord of the Flies shows the world at the brink of atomic destruction. The novel serves as a warning to the leaders of the world.

Freud Allegory • As a Freudian psychological allegory the characters in the novel personify the different aspects of the human psyche: the id, the super ego, and the ego. • the id is the set of uncoordinated instinctual trends; the ego is the organized, realistic part; and the super-ego plays the critical and moralizing role.

Freudian Allegory • Jack represents the “id. ” This is the part of the unconscious mind that works always to gratify its own impulse.

Freudian Allegory • Piggy is the “superego. ” This is the part of the mind that seeks to control the impulsive behavior of the id. Piggy always reminds Ralph and the others of their responsibilities.

Freudian Allegory • Ralph is the “ego. ” He is the conscious mind that mediates between the id's demand for pleasure and the social pressures brought to bear by the superego.

Freudian Allegory • The “iceberg” of Freudian psychology:

Religious Allegory • Finally, The Lord of the Flies is a religious allegory referencing the garden of Eden.

Religious Allegory • It was a perfect island with good food, good weather and good water.

Religious Allegory • “The Beast” is the snake in the garden that lures (tricks) the others to not hold up to their duty.

Religious Allegory • Jack and Ralph are very much like Cain and Abel.

Religious Allegory • Simon is a Christ figure who…?

Religious Allegory • Even the title, The Lord of the Flies is derived from the Hebrew word “Beezlebub” who was the prince of devils. Nobel Laureate T. S. Elliot helped William Golding select the title.

Religious Allegory • “The Parachutist” (later) and Piggy represent The Fall of Mankind.