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What Is Piggy's Glasses Symbolize In Lord Of The Flies

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“The theme is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature” (204). In William Golding’s novel, The Lord of the Flies, a plane carrying British boys is shot down over the Pacific. Many of the boys survive the crash, the pilot does not, and they find themselves stranded on a deserted island stranded with no adult supervision. On the island the boys recreate the culture they left behind by electing a leader named Ralph. Another character, Jack who wants to be a leader, slowly drives the boys from civilization and many rules to savagery which causes the death of two main characters, Piggy and Simon. Golding shows that humankind embraces their cruel, savage, and barbaric nature when not guided by civilization. In the novel, Lord of the Flies, Golding uses several symbols to portray how evil will overcome …show more content…

Because Piggy is one of the more intelligent boys on the island, he knows, recognizes, and understands some of the things the other boys don’t. Ralph being the leader amongst the boys orders the them to make signal fire so ships will see the smoke and they will be rescued. They make the signal fire by using Piggy’s glasses as a source of technology. “His specs- use them as burning glasses” (40). The glasses later become a harmful source when they are misused by Jack. “He was a chief now in truth; and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses” (168). The glasses were stolen by ‘Jacks Troop’ to have power and control. The boys use the glasses as a source to keep the fire going, but once the group splits up, they fight each other for possession of the glasses. Piggy's glasses can be used to help mankind or ruin it. Golding's use Piggy’s Glasses to portray when people are not guided by civilization they turn cruel and do things they would never do in

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