Foreshadowing in Lord of the Flies
Foreshadowing is a device often used in literature to hint at major events of a piece of writing, or the climax. William Golding masterfully uses this technique in his novel many times to grab the reader?s attention, and add depth. Lord of the Flies, his 1954 work about a group of boys stranded on an island, where bedlam is ever present, has foreshadowing to the myriad of crises that occur. This foreshadowing hints at how quickly a utopia will dissolve into dystopia, and the marooned boys losing their innocence. Such events include instances of savagery, death, and societal degeneration. From the moment they get their bearings on the island, the savagery of these boys starts to rear its ugly head. The poor, unappreciated Piggy is the first to bear the brunt of apathy, when Jack berates him and strikes him hard enough to break his glasses. In this instance, Jack is infuriated by Piggy?s scorn at the fire being let out. Jack is then driven to violence. ?He took a step, and...[struck Piggy down]...and Jack smacked Piggy?s head,? (GOLDING 71). Piggy?s glasses then fly off, and break on a rock. Jack shows no remorse, and even mocks Piggy. Although Jack is the best example of morals unravelling, other castaways show
In summation, whether it be through the increasing savagery of the castaways, the untimely and untoward deaths of Piggy and And finally, the society of the boys is an ideal dream, but it is entirely flawed, and it collapses true to form. Golding makes no qualms about showing, not telling, how each time a meeting is called, there is more defection and rule breaking than the last. The sprinter...his face a few inches from [the clues]? (48). His passion and thirst for meat is what drives him. Alas, he fails, as ?the pattering of pigs? trotters died away in the distance? (49). Beside himself with disappointment and embarrassment of his failure, he fights with Ralph over which is more important; meat or shelter. Jack vehemently promises that he will slay a pig in the most brutal of ways. These examples prove how exposure to the structureless island can turn one into a savage. And these events only foreshadow future acts of truculence that are far worse, later in the novel. great care, the best he could do was a stagger? (146-147). These descriptions are not of a boy who is going to live much longer, that is very evident. Soon thereafter, Simon is killed by the boys, mistaken for the ?beast.? Simon?s death is brutal. ?[He] fell over the steep edge of the rock to the sand by the water...the crowd surged after [him]...leapt onto [him], screamed, struck, bit, tore...?(153). The boys, driven by insanity and confusion, mistake Simon for the beast and kill him. Piggy?s death was almost blatant from the beginning. He is a wise, caring, timid, sage who is well beyond his years. He is an under appreciated voice of reason. And his fate is sealed from that revelation that he is going to die. The name he goes by is synonymous with the animals that Jack?s tribe kills, which is appropriate, given who is responsible for Piggy?s death. On many occasions, Piggy is often likened to a pig, an example of which is when he is struck down by Jack, and his glasses are broken. He doesn?t cry, or scream, ?Piggy sat down with a grunt? (71). After his death, the c
Some common words found in the essay are:
Simon Piggy, Henry Roger, Lord Flies, Piggy Simon, Ralph Jack, Piggy Jack, Castle Rock, William Golding, , boys jacks, lord flies, simons death, piggys death, simon piggy, society boys,
Approximate Word count = 1400
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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