What Does The Pig's Head Symbolize in "Lord of The Flies"?

Symbolism of the Pig's Head

In William Golding's novel, "Lord of the Flies," there's this really eerie symbol—the pig's head. The boys, who are stuck on this deserted island, put it on a stick and, soon enough, it's buzzing with flies. At first glance, you might think it's just some creepy thing they did. But as you read further, it starts to get way deeper. It shows how these kids are losing their grip on civilization and letting their wild side take over.

There's this part where the pig's head actually talks to Simon—one of the boys—in what seems like a crazy hallucination. What happens here is pretty key. It gives you a peek into what the "beast" really is. It's not something they can hunt or kill because it's part of them, part of everyone. The head says, "Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill... You knew, didn't you? I'm part of you... I'm the reason why it's no go? Why things are what they are?" (Golding, 143). Kind of makes you think about the evil inside each person, right?

The Pig's Head as an Allegory

This pig's head isn't just there for shock value—it’s got layers. It's like an allegory for what's lurking in all humans. When societal rules go out the window, darkness and chaos have a field day. As these boys drift further away from any kind of order or moral code, that pig's head becomes more significant—almost like it’s staring back at them from within themselves.

The most striking thing is how it reminds us that evil isn’t always some outside force; sometimes it's rooted deep inside us. Simon hears the pig's head say again, "You knew, didn't you? I'm part of you..." (Golding, 143). Makes you wonder if what we fear most is actually our own nature.

The Pig's Head in the Context of Power

Another angle to look at is power—how it corrupts. In their hunger for control and dominance, this gruesome symbol becomes almost like a twisted authority figure for these boys. Jack and his tribe even start seeing it as something that promises safety and security.

Yet here’s where things get dark—the pig’s head warns Simon: "You'll meet me down there. You'll meet me down there, with Piggy and Ralph, and all the others" (Golding, 143). So basically, chasing after power doesn’t end well—it's destruction waiting to happen.

The Pig's Head as a Reflection of Society

On a broader level—society as a whole gets reflected in this grim symbol too. Just look at how quickly things fall apart when civilization's constraints are gone on this island! It makes us wonder about our world beyond these pages—are we just one step away from chaos if our systems collapse?

The ease with which these boys fall under its spell is kinda scary—it shows how easily people can be led by those who exploit fear for personal gain. Their fascination with this grotesque object speaks volumes about susceptibility to manipulation.

Conclusion

Wrapping up here—the pig’s head in "Lord of the Flies" packs quite a punch symbolically speaking! It's not just some gross artifact but represents descent into savagery while also pointing fingers at inherent human flaws along with power corruption commentary galore!

This chilling reminder tells us much about what lies beneath surface level behavior—the potential within each person towards darkness should morality slip away completely due lack societal structure around them.

Bibliography

• Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Penguin Books, 1954.
• Kinkead-Weekes, Mark & Gregor, Ian. A Critical Study: William Golding: A Critical Study. Faber & Faber Ltd., 1984.
• Baker James R., William Golding: A Critical Study, St Martin's Press, 1965.
• Cox C.B., Dyson A.E., eds., The Twentieth Century Mind, Oxford University Press & Hutchinson Educational Limited.,1970.
• Babb Howard S., The Novels Of William Golding, Ohio State University Press.,1970.