Symbolism in William Golding's Novel Lord of the Flies Essay

The novel Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, is a very symbolic peace of literature. Most of the symbols are very easy to identify and explain. One exception is clothing. Clothing was over looked as a symbol until the introduction of this symbolism project. It was overlooked because in our society clothing is a natural part of our every day lives, so even when we are reading, we tend to dismiss it as symbolizing only fashion or lack of. In Lord of the Flies clothing symbolizes order, rules and democracy. As the boys clothing turns to rags, their order turns to chaos, their rules are discarded and their system of democracy is overthrown and replaced with a fascist leader.When the boys first arrive on the island they realize that there are no adults to tell them what to do or how to behave. Basically they see no rule enforcers as no rules. Most of the boys remove some or all of their clothing to go swimming or because of the heat. This shows right from the beginning that when clothes are removed so are the rules.Ralph calls an assembly by blowing the conch and the boys come dressed in school uniforms grey, blue, fawn, jacketed or jerseyed. There are badges, mottoes even, stripes of colour in stockings and pullovers. (19). The last to arrive at the assembly was Jack and his choir. Each boy in the choir is wearing a square black cap with a silver badge in it. Their bodies, from throat to ankle, are hidden by black cloaks which bare a long silver cross on the left breast and each neck is finished with a hambone frill. Jack, the boy who controls them is dressedthe same way through his cap badge is golden. (21). Since the boys are dressed in their school uniforms they are orderly. They showed this by listening and sitting quietly. At this assembly Ralphs system of...

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