Answer to Question #285409 in English for Kelsey Jand

Question

Lord of the Flies Study Guide Questions

Direction: Your answers need to be thorough, and where possible, quote the text (with citation).

Chapters 2-3

Symbolism: What might Piggy’s glasses represent? What part of society, or what concept, might Piggy himself represent? In addition to the huts on the beach being a shelter from weather, in what symbolic way does Ralph think that the shelters are important? What societal archetypes do Ralph, Jack, and Simon seem to represent? In what ways does the author create a Christ-likeness about Simon?

Answer 1

Piggy glasses have been used as a symbol representing civilization and scientific reasoning, and he is in a civilized society where scientific knowledge has been explored significantly. Ralph symbolically feels that others, especially young children, will be safer than the beastie if they were in the shelter. Simon represents truth and a martyr, Ralph represents a heroic archetype, while Jack represents a villain archetype. Simon is characterized as Christ-like because he recognizes evil as bad and Christ qualities are evident in his utterances, actions, and death. He is wise, sensitive, and is killed discriminatorily because he believes in Christ.