Lord of the Flies Last of the Allegories

Lord of the Flies Last of the Allegories

BELL WORK What is the difference between allegory and symbol?

LOTF: Last of the Allegories What is an ALLEGORY? §A figure of rhetoric §The use of symbols to portray a moral or message

Allegory VS. Symbol § Allegory is longer, detailed, relates to a broader concept (the world). § Ex: Piggy’s glasses § Symbol: intellect and knowledge. § Allegory: the eventual and unavoidable decline of mankind when faced with terms of survival.

The Role of an Allegory § Allegories were a popular method for education many years ago. Why? • Entertainment • Easy to remember = Easy to pass on • Underlying principles used for teaching lessons

The Decline of the Allegory § Our culture = INSTANT GRATIFICATION. § This is why allegories are difficult to comprehend!

Allegory Exposed in LOTF § What do you think are some Political Allegories? §WWII, Cold War, atomic destruction… § What do you think are some Religious Allegories? § Garden of Eden, Christ-like characters, God VS. Satan…

Religious Allegory § The Garden of Eden = the island § perfect living condition with food/water, good weather, etc. § w/ a sense of evil at the same time to create a foreboding of something terrible.

Religious Allegory 1. Piggy = the “fall” of mankind 2. Lord of the Flies = Satan/evil (living inside mankind) 3. Simon = quiet/observer; always does good to benefit others (littluns); used as the sacrificial lamb; he is the Christ-like symbol. THINK-PAIR-SHARE: What is the allegorical significance in the meeting between the Lord of the Flies and Simon?

Interesting Name Meanings § Ralph = Anglo-Saxon word, “council” § Piggy = vulnerability (pigs on the island); how much the other boys dislike him because of his intelligence (pigs = smart) § Jack = Hebrew word, “Yakov, ” =“one who deceives” or “one who takes over” § Simon = Hebrew word, “one who listens, ” “one who observes, ” (one of Christ’s disciples) § Roger = “famous with the spear”

The Island the real world § Examine the microcosm… §The island is a representation of what is happening in the outside world. §Isn’t it ironic… §Without realizing it, the boys have created the same society from which they were being protected.

Major Themes in LOTF 1. Darkness of the heart is an intrinsic human trait 2. Anarchy and savagery are direct results of man’s inability to follow society’s set rules. 3. Our morals are a direct result of our surroundings – if our environment fails, our morals fail, and the human race/civilization ultimately fails.