Biblical Allusions Golding´s Lord of the Flies - 884 Words

In many classic novels, authors use biblical allusions to highlight a certain character or situation. By using biblical allusions, authors can help the reader better understand what it is that they want to convey through their literary work. In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, Golding utilizes symbolism of places and characters to allude to the Bible. Out of the many references, four significant biblical allusions – title of the novel, Simon, beast, and the island itself – emphasize Golding’s theme inherent sin and evil in mankind. The title, Lord of the Flies, refers to the pig’s head that was placed on a spear and worshiped by the young boys on the island. In other words, the boys have chosen to believe in a fake deity, much like†¦show more content†¦For example, when the littluns follow Simon, â€Å"Simon found for them the fruit they could not reach, pulled off the choicest from up in the foliage, [and] passed them back down to the endless, outstretched hands† (56).Simon is the core of good within the destruction arousing within the other boys on the island. As a Christ-like figure, Simon’s actions mirror the Bible’s telling of the works of Jesus. For instance, Simon always strives to bring about sanity to the young boys, who slowly fall to their â€Å"inherent evil,† theorized by Golding. Similarly, until his death, Jesus attempts to bring about righteousness and even his death, in itself, was meant to cleanse the people who have sinned against the Lord, so that they would be forgiven. In addition, Simon can also be tied to the prophets in The Bible, because it was the prophets’ job to tell the consequences of the people’s sin, and Simon did try to rally the boys to stop their madness. And on top of that, Moses is also reflected within Simon, as there is a parallel scene of climbing down the mountain to tell the others the truth. For Moses, it was the Ten Commandments and to bring justice, and for Simon, it was the truth behind the â€Å"beast† and social rest: â€Å"Simon was crying out something about a dead man on a hill† (152). Even without knowing The Bible, the allusion would be effective as it is apparent that Simon is the â€Å"Good Samaritan† character, through hisShow MoreRelatedLord Of The Flies, By John Milton Essay1639 Words   |  7 Pagesby John Milton, something came to my mind: Lord of the Flies. There were similarities between these two readings, almost like Lord of the Flies is a biblical allegory to Paradise Lost. I was discovering biblical allusions in the novel Lord of the Flies, something I didn’t discover when I read the novel three years ago, Many debates between critics have been made about Lord of the Flies being a biblical allegory due to its substantial amount of allusions to Judeo-Christian Theology. After a lot ofRead MoreCompare the Ways H.G. Wells in the Island of Dr Moreau and Willia m Golding in Lord of the Flies Examine the Struggle Between Civilisation and Savagery in an Isolated Setting.2029 Words   |  9 PagesCompare the ways H.G. Wells in The Island of Dr Moreau and William Golding in Lord of the Flies examine the struggle between civilisation and savagery in an isolated setting. H.G. Wells and William Golding diversely explore the struggle between civilisation and savagery in an isolated setting, through their novels: The Island of Doctor Moreau and Lord of the Flies. Both texts feature an untainted island location, where characters morality and humanity is challenged by fear and lack of order. WellsRead MoreThe Lord Of The Flies By William Golding1883 Words   |  8 Pagesfor the society. Lord of the Flies by William Golding is an allegory of the most ruthless dictator in history, Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. Golding, an english novelist, playwright, and poet, fought in the Royal Navy during WWII. Golding’s Lord of the Flies novel is not just about the boys on the island, but also the evil inherent in humans when all rules and laws are taken away. The horrors committed by Hitler is still remembered as one of the darkest sides of mankind. Golding manifested the entireRead MoreReview Of Charlotte Bronte s Jane Eyre 10879 Words   |  44 Pag estuberculosis at Cowan Bridge. Bronte s brother, Patrick, became addicted to drugs and alcohol before he died. Similarities: She, along with her three sisters, was sent to the Clergy Daughters School at Cowan Bridge. Charlotte Bronte lost her mother when she was five years old, and was raised by her aunt. Jane rejected two offers of marriage, but took one later; Charlotte rejected four offers of marriage, but accepted one later as well. Bronte based Jane s physical features off her. They are bothRead MoreANALIZ TEXT INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS28843 Words   |  116 PagesLegend of Sleepy Hollow, resembles his long-legged namesake. Names can also contain literary or historical allusions that aid in characterization by means of association. The name ‘Ethan Brand’, referring to the wandering lime burner who gives his name to Hawthorne’s short story, contains an allusion to the mark or brand of Cain a legacy of guilt that the outcast Brand shares with his Biblical counterpart. One must also, however, be alert to names used ironically which characterize through inversion