The Symbolic Significance of The Pig's Head on a Stick in Lord of The Flies

Understanding the Symbolism of the Pig's Head in "Lord of the Flies"

In William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," there’s this creepy thing, a pig's head on a stick, also called the "Lord of the Flies." It plays a big role when it comes to digging into human nature and how quickly folks can get wild. Let’s dive into what this pig's head symbolizes. It shows us evil, how power works among the boys, and how civilization falls apart. By looking at these things, we get what Golding was really trying to say.

The Pig's Head as Evil

The pig's head, all gross and decaying, stands for evil throughout the story. The kids imagine it's some spooky being, which they call the "Lord of the Flies." It shows that there's badness inside people. Remember when Simon chats with it in his imagination? The head tells him that real evil is in them boys themselves. This kind of symbolism makes us think about human nature’s dark side. When you take away civilization, it's like opening a door to savagery.

Power Plays Among the Boys

This pig’s head on a stick isn’t just about evil; it’s also about who holds power. Jack, who runs the hunters, uses it to show he’s in charge and to back up his violent ways. By sticking that head up there as a gift for the "beast," he scares the other kids and gets control over 'em. It shows us how power can mess with people and lead them to use others for their own ends.

Civilization Falling Apart

The pig's head is also a strong sign of civilization breaking down and losing its values. As these kids go more savage, they start worshipping that head more and more. It becomes central to their rituals instead of any rules they learned before landing on that island. This whole thing shows how fragile society really is—and how quick it can crumble when faced with our inner darkness.

Final Thoughts: Questions Raised

The pig's head raises tough questions about what evil is, how power works, and what civilization means. Makes ya think about whether people are really good at heart or if there's always some darkness waiting inside us all. Plus, it reminds us why we need societal rules to keep things from spiraling outta control. It's like a big ol’ warning: If we let go of reason and morality, chaos might just take over.

To wrap it up, this weird pig’s head in "Lord of the Flies" stands for more than meets the eye—evil lurking inside us all, struggles over power, and society coming undone. By figuring out its meaning, we see what Golding wanted to tell us about human nature and what could happen if we don't keep our darker sides in check.

References

• Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. Faber & Faber.
• Baker, J.R. (1988). “The Themes of Evil in 'Lord of the Flies'.” The English Journal, 77(6), 44-49.
• Kinkead-Weekes, M., & Gregor, I. (1967). William Golding: A Critical Study. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
• Dicken-Fuller, C., & Babbage-Doolittle, H.K. (1991). “Human Nature in 'Lord of the Flies'.” Modern Criticism, 5(3), 11-29.
• Kermode, F., & Carey J.C. (1985). Golding: A Biography. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.