What Does The Jack Symbolize In Lord Of The Flies

In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding by far the most interesting aspect about the novel would be its theme. In the novel Lord of the Flies World War III begins and while attempting to escape the war a bunch a boys go on a plane that crashes on an island with no adults. While they are there they struggle between living in civilization or savagery, a constant theme that we see throughout the book. We are able to see this theme in many different parts of the novel. We can see it through our characters, through the symbols, and through the events that take place throughout the novel.

The protagonist of Lord of the Flies is Ralph. Even though Ralph is a character he himself has become a symbol for civilization because he was the one that made the island a little more civilized. He did this by creating rules or laws, jobs, and safe houses for the boys on the island. Piggy is also a character that is civilized with his intellect and ideas on how to be saved, he represents more of gentle civilization. The antagonist of Lord of the Flies, Jack represents savagery. Jack was the first of all the boys to go against civilization. Jack likes to kill pigs and enjoyed hunting theme a little too much. So much that he became a little crazy.

There is symbolism in its characters, in the items, and their ideas. All of the symbols however will go along with the theme. The conch in Lord of the Flies represents order and power, in all civilizations there need to be some kind of hierarchy. The huts they built represent their teamwork and safety they need to be civilized. However, the painted faces symbolize the fact that the boys can hide behind a mask and not feel guilty about. They could kill someone and they would not feel guilty about it if they painted their faces