How far do you agree that the boys alter the island from a paradise at the beginning of the novel to a kind of hell at the end? You should refer closely to the events.

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Ronnie Gunson

How far do you agree that the boys alter the island from a paradise at the beginning of the novel to a kind of hell at the end? You should refer closely to the events.

The Lord of the Flies is a very influential and symbolic book. It is not only about children on an island, but about a bigger picture of today’s world, and the way humans behave. The island is used as a microcosm to symbolise and represent today’s world. Also children are used, as they are closest to being uninfluenced by society and more of a natural state. Throughout the book Golding continually used symbolism and descriptions to convey his message across to the reader.

            As soon as the children land the plane creates a large “scar” on the untouched, and beautiful island. This is a symbol of pre-destruction. Before the children have even set foot on the island there is already a sense of destruction. As it begins, the boys find each through the use of the conch, which becomes one of the most important symbols of the book. They find each other, and after a brief meeting, Ralph the athletic and well-spoken boy is chosen to be leader. However, Piggy seems to have some good idea’s himself, but because of his appearance and illiterate way of speaking, he is used as a scapegoat, and the boys mock him and laugh at him calling him “fatty”. This shows that crowd mentality is very much often a way of making people feel better at the expense of some one else. Ralph sets up a democracy; only the person with the “conch” can speak, and everyone has a fair say in what goes on. For the first few days this works out fine, and a fire is set up to attract any passing boats so that the children can be rescued. Later on though, the fire does not retain as the boys’ that are looking after it leave and look for more “fun” things to do. Jack, clearly wanted to be leader when the vote was made, however himself and Ralph have a silent respect for each other, and Jack even goes as far to say, “I agree with Ralph. We’ve got to have rules and obey them, after all we’re not savages”. This statement at the time seems to be reasonable, yet later on we see how ironic the last part is. The conch however is the ultimate symbol of democracy, and represents society at large. Piggys’ glasses represent clear sightedness and they seem to be mentioned when Piggy speaks of an honest or intelligent opinion. Unfortunately, he is no listened to as he cannot be idolised like Ralph can.

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         As the days go by, Jack wants a more active roll, and asks Ralph if he can be the leader of the hunters, at first they find it difficult to find it within them to murder the pig, but Jack soon builds an insatiable obsession with hunting a pig, and finally he comes to grips with what he “has” to do, and murders the pig. However, the island is full of fruit and other luxuries, but human nature demands blood and hunting. Soon after Jack and his hunters (once being civilised intelligent choir boys) paint themselves ...

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