In William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies,” the descent of a group of stranded boys into savagery is punctuated with various symbols, each shedding light on aspects of human nature. Among these symbols, the pig’s head on a stick, referred to as the “Lord of the Flies,” is perhaps the most harrowing. Serving as a chilling representation of humanity’s inherent evil and the thin veneer of civilization, this decapitated sow’s head becomes a potent emblem of the boys’ loss of innocence.
The Emergence of the Symbol
As the boys’ civilized façade begins to crumble on the uninhabited island, their primal instincts emerge. A hunting party, led by Jack, decides to offer a gift to the imagined beast that haunts their thoughts. This offering takes the form of a sow’s head, gruesomely mounted on a stick and left in the forest. The very act of such a brutal display highlights the swift degradation of their moral compass.
The Conversation with Simon
Simon, the most spiritually inclined and introspective among the boys, stumbles upon the pig’s head in the forest. In a hallucinatory state, Simon perceives the head speaking to him, identifying itself as the “Lord of the Flies.” It taunts Simon with the idea that the true beast is not an external entity but lies within every boy on the island. This moment underscores Golding’s theme that evil is an inherent part of human nature, waiting for an opportunity to emerge.
As days pass, the pig’s head starts to decay, attracting flies and emitting a foul odor. This decay can be seen as a parallel to the deteriorating moral fiber of the boys. What was once a vibrant, living creature is now a grotesque display of death and decay, mirroring the boys’ transformation from disciplined children to unrestrained savages.
The novel’s title, “Lord of the Flies,” is a direct translation of “Beelzebub,” a name often associated with the devil. By christening the pig’s head with this name, Golding alludes to the inherent evil and chaotic forces that reside within humanity. The head becomes a deity of sorts, worshipped by some and feared by all, emphasizing the ease with which humans can slip into barbaric rituals and beliefs in the absence of structured society.
Conclusion:
The pig’s head in “Lord of the Flies” serves as a grim testament to the fragility of civilization and the lurking darkness within humanity. As the boys on the island descend further into anarchy, the “Lord of the Flies” stands as a silent observer, a mirror reflecting their lost innocence and newfound cruelty. Golding’s novel reminds readers that beneath the trappings of society lies a beast within every individual, waiting for its moment to rise. The pig’s head is not just a symbol but a warning of the dangers of unchecked human instincts.
References:
- Golding, William. “Lord of the Flies.” Faber and Faber, 1954.
- Baker, James R. “Why It’s No Go: A Reading of Lord of the Flies.” “Critical Essays on William Golding,” edited by James R. Baker. G.K. Hall & Co., 1988.
- Kinkead-Weekes, Mark, and Ian Gregor. “William Golding: A Critical Study.” Faber and Faber, 1967.
