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Ralph And The Fire Symbolism Essay

672 Words3 Pages

Imagine being stranded on island with a bunch of strangers and no possessions. Having to leave your old life, family, and civilization all behind. Just imagine. Meanwhile, In William Golding’s novel, he uses symbolism to tell the allegory of a few boys whose flight crashed into a deserted island in which they were left to fend for themselves. In the novel Ralph and the fire both connect to the theme that Golding references as a good vs evil where evil ultimately overtakes humanity. Ralph is an example of a character conveying symbolic meaning. In the beginning of the novel upon the boy's arrival to the island, Ralph is elected to be chief by a group vote. In chapter 5, on page 73, quotes "...And still Ralph was silent. no one, not even Jack, would ask him to move and in the end they had to build the fire three yards away and in a place not really as convenient." This statement reveals Ralph's power to full effect. Just his presence is upholding complete domination so much so that the boys will not ask him move. Instead they move the fire to "a place not really as convenient" meaning in a spot that's not as noticeable for a passing ship or …show more content…

In the first meeting Ralph says "There's another thing. We can help them to find us. If a ship comes near the island they may not notice us. So we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire."(page 38) The signal fire is a sign of hope of the for boys' return to civilization. Keeping the fire going gave them hope that the smoke would attract the attention of a passing boat or aircraft. The fires connection with the boys' return to home, becomes an touchstone of the boys’ connection to the ways of civilization back home. In the beginning the boys want to sustain the fire. This demonstrates their want to be return home. Nevertheless, when the fire is allowed to go out, it is emblematic of the boys refusal of civilization and return to

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