Lord of the Flies Revision
Jack
Egocentric and Domineering
“Jack seized the conch”
The use of the powerful verb “seized” suggests how eager Jack was to take control and highlights his
intent to take away democracy (which is what the conch represents in the novel). Perhaps, Golding
does this to present the class differences that society experienced through the mixing of social
classes in grammar schools. This is as the elite classes impose themselves on those below and
Golding criticises how entitled the upper classes can be.
“simple arrogance”
The use of the word “simple” highlights how he believes he should be leader and as if it is the
natural order for him to be at the top. Perhaps, Golding does this to present the class differences
that society experienced through the mixing of social classes in grammar schools. This is as the elite
classes impose themselves on those below and Golding criticises how entitled the upper classes can
be.
Violent
“ready to turn to anger”
The use of the power adjective of “ready” emphasises Jack’s short tempered, mercurial and volatile
nature. Perhaps Golding does this to represent the degradation of morals and rationality that would
eventually lead to the downfall of the children.
“bloodthirsty snarling”
This emphasises his lust for blood and highlights how he is violent in nature. Also, the use of
“snarling” presents his animalistic nature as he returns to his primal instincts, abandoning civilisation
and exposing his grotesque nature. Perhaps Golding does this to represent the degradation of
morals and rationality that would eventually lead to the downfall of the children.
Obsessed with the mask
“liberated from shame”
The use of the powerful adjective of “liberated” emphasises how he is free from responsibility and
believes that he can act without remorse and with no restraints. Perhaps Golding presents them in
this way to suggest how the paint represents the savage within, it doesn’t disguise the boys’ true
nature, it reveals it. Golding presents the mask as the inherent evil and savagery that humans
possess and what civilisation helps to keep inside us but with the degradation of civilisation, the
inherent primitive nature of humans begins to reveal itself and mask represents how it is revealed.
“awesome stranger”
This shows how the paint turned out to be more than a camouflage as it doesn’t just make Jack look
like something, it turned him into something else. Perhaps Golding presents them in this way to
suggest how they are cutting all ties with civilisation as the paint frees them to act in a way that their
parents or society wouldn’t allow.
, Simon
Inherent Good
“choicest fruit from high”
The superlative of “choicest” emphasises how well he treats the littluns which presents Simon as a
kind figure to all. He is presented as a Christ like figure, helping those around him and this act of
kindness is like Jesus feeding five thousand. This is emphasised by the fact that Peter is Christ’s
closest disciple and he was known as Simon Peter and thus Simon was named and presented as this
saviour figure.
“endless outstretched hands”
The adjectives of “endless” and “outstretched” convey how many people he is helping. This caring
attitude portrays Simon as an inherently good character, and this act of kindness is like Jesus feeding
five thousand. This creates a Christ-like figure in the novel which is emphasised by the fact that Peter
is Christ’s closest disciple and he was known as Simon Peter and thus Simon was named and
presented as this saviour figure.
Spiritual - Setting
“honey coloured light”
Simon’s haven appears to be a symbol of spiritualism as the use of the powerful adjective “honey
coloured” conveys a sense of how idyllic the place is since the use of “honey” gives connotations of
sweetness. Also, the description may suggest a setting of a church, with stained glass windows
making the light appear ethereal.This emphasises the vibrance and beauty of the exotic location.
This setting is reflective of Simon’s spiritual outlook on life and this is symbolic of the purity this
character represents. Perhaps Golding shows how the island would look if only pure characters like
Simon were on the island.
“a silver shape between the steadfast constellations”
Golding presents Simon as saintly as the use of ethereal imagery idolises him as a Christ like figure.
The use of the colour imagery of “silver” suggests the purity of Simon and his holy nature.
Violent Death
“tearing of teeth and claws”
The use of animal imagery presents his death as primitive, also the use of the dental t’s emphasises
the violent and vicious nature of the attack. Perhaps Golding presents the death of Simon as so
aggressive to highlight the savagery within the other boys as if their inherent evil nature caused the
terrifying act as it conflicted with the inherent good of Simon.
Jack
Egocentric and Domineering
“Jack seized the conch”
The use of the powerful verb “seized” suggests how eager Jack was to take control and highlights his
intent to take away democracy (which is what the conch represents in the novel). Perhaps, Golding
does this to present the class differences that society experienced through the mixing of social
classes in grammar schools. This is as the elite classes impose themselves on those below and
Golding criticises how entitled the upper classes can be.
“simple arrogance”
The use of the word “simple” highlights how he believes he should be leader and as if it is the
natural order for him to be at the top. Perhaps, Golding does this to present the class differences
that society experienced through the mixing of social classes in grammar schools. This is as the elite
classes impose themselves on those below and Golding criticises how entitled the upper classes can
be.
Violent
“ready to turn to anger”
The use of the power adjective of “ready” emphasises Jack’s short tempered, mercurial and volatile
nature. Perhaps Golding does this to represent the degradation of morals and rationality that would
eventually lead to the downfall of the children.
“bloodthirsty snarling”
This emphasises his lust for blood and highlights how he is violent in nature. Also, the use of
“snarling” presents his animalistic nature as he returns to his primal instincts, abandoning civilisation
and exposing his grotesque nature. Perhaps Golding does this to represent the degradation of
morals and rationality that would eventually lead to the downfall of the children.
Obsessed with the mask
“liberated from shame”
The use of the powerful adjective of “liberated” emphasises how he is free from responsibility and
believes that he can act without remorse and with no restraints. Perhaps Golding presents them in
this way to suggest how the paint represents the savage within, it doesn’t disguise the boys’ true
nature, it reveals it. Golding presents the mask as the inherent evil and savagery that humans
possess and what civilisation helps to keep inside us but with the degradation of civilisation, the
inherent primitive nature of humans begins to reveal itself and mask represents how it is revealed.
“awesome stranger”
This shows how the paint turned out to be more than a camouflage as it doesn’t just make Jack look
like something, it turned him into something else. Perhaps Golding presents them in this way to
suggest how they are cutting all ties with civilisation as the paint frees them to act in a way that their
parents or society wouldn’t allow.
, Simon
Inherent Good
“choicest fruit from high”
The superlative of “choicest” emphasises how well he treats the littluns which presents Simon as a
kind figure to all. He is presented as a Christ like figure, helping those around him and this act of
kindness is like Jesus feeding five thousand. This is emphasised by the fact that Peter is Christ’s
closest disciple and he was known as Simon Peter and thus Simon was named and presented as this
saviour figure.
“endless outstretched hands”
The adjectives of “endless” and “outstretched” convey how many people he is helping. This caring
attitude portrays Simon as an inherently good character, and this act of kindness is like Jesus feeding
five thousand. This creates a Christ-like figure in the novel which is emphasised by the fact that Peter
is Christ’s closest disciple and he was known as Simon Peter and thus Simon was named and
presented as this saviour figure.
Spiritual - Setting
“honey coloured light”
Simon’s haven appears to be a symbol of spiritualism as the use of the powerful adjective “honey
coloured” conveys a sense of how idyllic the place is since the use of “honey” gives connotations of
sweetness. Also, the description may suggest a setting of a church, with stained glass windows
making the light appear ethereal.This emphasises the vibrance and beauty of the exotic location.
This setting is reflective of Simon’s spiritual outlook on life and this is symbolic of the purity this
character represents. Perhaps Golding shows how the island would look if only pure characters like
Simon were on the island.
“a silver shape between the steadfast constellations”
Golding presents Simon as saintly as the use of ethereal imagery idolises him as a Christ like figure.
The use of the colour imagery of “silver” suggests the purity of Simon and his holy nature.
Violent Death
“tearing of teeth and claws”
The use of animal imagery presents his death as primitive, also the use of the dental t’s emphasises
the violent and vicious nature of the attack. Perhaps Golding presents the death of Simon as so
aggressive to highlight the savagery within the other boys as if their inherent evil nature caused the
terrifying act as it conflicted with the inherent good of Simon.
