Allegory in 
The Lord of the Flies
 By William Golding

Definition of Allegory

• ALLEGORY: “A story in which people, things and actions represent an idea or generalization about life; allegories often have a strong moral lesson. “
• Often, characters in allegories personify some abstract quality.

Political Allegory

• As a political allegory we need only to look at the state of the world at the end of World War II. The world was divided into two camps the free world and the Soviet Union much like the camps of Ralph and Jack.

Political Allegory

• In addition the postwar Cold War Era suffered from fears of atomic destruction. Lord of the Flies shows the world at the brink of atomic destruction. The novel serves as a warning to the leaders of the world.

Political Allegory

• Ralph’s conch symbolizes power and authority, like a crown for a king or Excalibur to King Arthur.

Political Allegory

• The conch also symbolizes order and rule of law.

Political Allegory

• Piggy represents (in part) the position of Prime Minister – the intelligent advisor to the crown / king.
• The “assemblies” represent governmental structure and debate, such as parliament.

Political Allegory

• Jack and the choir represent, in part, the government / social organizations that maintain control, but that can also get out of control (military / religion). This may particularly reference the Nazis of WWII.

Political Allegory

• “The Beast” might represent the imagined external threats that justify the loss of law and order or lost civil rights Ex: Scapegoating in Nazi Germany or Demonizing the U.S. for the U.S.S.R.

Political Allegory

• Samneric represent members of society who have trouble “acting independently” and might change opinions or sides rapidly and without warning. They follow the strongest leader.

Freudian / Psychological Allegory

• As a Freudian psychological allegory the characters in the novel personify the different aspects of the human psyche: the id, the super ego, and the ego.

Freudian Allegory

• Jack represents the “id”. This is the part of the unconscious mind that works always to gratify its own impulse.

Freudian Allegory

• Piggy is the “superego”. This is the part of the mind that seeks to control the impulsive behavior of the id. Piggy always reminds Ralph and the others of their responsibilities.

Freudian Allegory

• Ralph is the “ego”. He is the conscious mind that mediates between the id's demand for pleasure and the social pressures brought to bear by the superego.

Religious Allegory

• Finally, The Lord of the Flies is a religious allegory referencing the garden of Eden.

Religious Allegory

• It was a perfect island with good food, good weather and good water.
• Ralph repeatedly describes it as, "a good island."

Religious Allegory

• “The Parachutist” (later) and Piggy represent The Fall of Mankind.

Religious Allegory

• The Fall has become a metaphor for any fall from a favorable place.
• It is the Biblical explanation for why life can never be perfect for humanity.
• It is the Biblical explanation for why life can never be perfect for humanity.
• It refers specifically to Adam and Eve’s (original humans and representatives of humanity) fall from God’s grace as a response to their disobedience of God’s strict orders to avoid the fruit of the “tree of knowledge.”

Religious Allegory

• “The Beast” is the snake in the garden that lures (tricks) the others to not hold up to their duty.

Religious Allegory

• Jack could also represent Biblical figures such as: Judas: who betrayed Christ and condemned him to death for 30 pieces of silver (greed / jealousy).

Religious Allegory

• Jack could also represent Biblical figures such as: Lucifer: the archangel who was cast out of heaven for his war with God He was one of the greatest of the angels. He rebelled against God and was hurled from heaven down to hell where he became Satan, the Devil and the incarnation of evil who ruled over the demons of hell.

Religious Allegory

• Jack and Ralph are very much like Cain and Abel.

Religious Allegory

• Cain slew (Murdered) his brother Abel in the first “fratricide” (“brother killing”). A mark was put upon his head (Mulberry birthmark kid that they kill?) and the man was cursed to wander friendless. Per God’s command, no one can kill Cain or they will suffer “seven times over” the murder of Cain. Who is killed in the first signal fire, due to the boys’ neglect?

Religious Allegory

• Simon is a Christ figure who…? Feeds the children / takes care of others (Littluns / Piggy)? Is tested / tempted? Confronts evil? Frees man from death (the parachutist)? Suffers?

Religious Allegory

• Even the title, The Lord of the Flies is derived from the Hebrew word “Beezlebub” who was the prince of devils and demons.

Religious Allegory

• Beezlebub or Ba'alzebub's name derives from the Canaanite "Baal" meaning "lord," and he is known as the Lord of the Flies.
• The boys on the island are often described with fly-like behavior and actions (Ex: The boys “buzzed”).
• Nobel Laureate T.S. Elliot helped William Golding select the title.