Page 191 - 梁文燕紀念中學（沙田）－青苗文集

The Creative Collection of the Budding Writers

During the battle, one boy, Roger, a cruel older boy, rolls a boulder down the
mountain, killing Piggy and shattering the conch shell. Ralph barely manages to
escape.
Ralph hides for the rest of the night, while the others hunt him like an animal.
Jack has the other boys burn the forest in order to smoke Ralph out of his hiding
place. Ralph stays in the forest, where he finds and destroys the sow’s head.
Eventually, he is forced out onto the beach, where he knows the boys would soon
arrive to kill him. Ralph collapses in exhaustion, but when he looks up, he sees
a British naval officer standing over him. The officer’s ship notices the fire in the
jungle. The other boys reach the beach and stopped. Amazed by what he sees —
a group of bloodthirsty, savage children, the officer asks Ralph to explain. Ralph is
overwhelmed that he is safe but, thinking about what has happened on the island,
he begins to weep. The other boys begins to sob as well…
Although the story is quite long and complicated, the thing that I like and
appreciate the most is the symbolism which Sir Golding used throughout the whole
story. The following are the few allegories that I have noticed while reading: Firstly,
the Island. It represents our society, where everyone tries hard to survive. Secondly,
Ralph and the conch. They represent the forces attempting to influence our lives,
like the media and perhaps our parents nowadays. Thirdly, Piggy, described as the
only adult-type child, and his glasses. They all represent the intellectual or rational
faculty in human beings, who are usually selfish and vulnerable to non-rational
forces. Fourthly, Jack. He represents
the animalistic nature of human beings,
the worst aspects of human nature
when unrepressed and un-tempered by
society. Fifthly, Simon. He represents
peace and tranquility and positivity. His
experiences parallel to those of Jesus’
life. Finally, the Beast. It represents
the latent savagery within all human
beings that it is firmly established in the
boys’ mind. Despite the fact that this is a profound book, I really enjoyed reading a
story with a hidden message from the author. I have no doubts about Sir Golding’s
qualification as a Nobel Prize winner in Literature after reading one of his finest
works.

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