What Does The Sow's Head Represent in Lord of The Flies?

In William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, the sow's head, also known as the "Lord of the Flies," holds significant symbolic value. This grotesque and decaying pig's head on a stick becomes a focal point for the boys' descent into savagery and the manifestation of their inner evil. By analyzing the role and symbolism of the sow's head, we can gain a deeper understanding of the themes explored in the novel. This essay will argue that the sow's head represents the inherent darkness within humanity, the loss of civilization, and the power of fear.
The sow's head symbolizes the innate evil and darkness that exists within every human being. The boys, stranded on the deserted island without the constraints of civilization, gradually lose their moral compass and succumb to their primal desires. The sow's head, which is described as "dim-eyed, grinning faintly, blood blackening between the teeth," serves as a physical manifestation of this inner darkness (Golding, 137). It represents the boys' descent into savagery and their willingness to commit unspeakable acts of violence.

Supporting this argument, anthropologist Margaret Mead explores the concept of human nature in her book, "Male and Female." Mead suggests that humans possess a dual nature, capable of both good and evil. This aligns with the portrayal of the boys in Lord of the Flies, who gradually lose their civilized behavior and embrace their darker instincts. The sow's head serves as a visual reminder of this internal struggle.

Furthermore, psychologist Philip Zimbardo conducted the Stanford Prison Experiment, which demonstrated how easily individuals can be influenced by their environment to engage in cruel and sadistic behavior. This experiment highlights the idea that under certain circumstances, the inherent darkness within humanity can be unleashed, just like the boys in the novel.

The sow's head also represents the loss of civilization and the breakdown of social order on the island. Initially, the boys attempt to establish rules and maintain a semblance of society, electing Ralph as their leader and creating a system of governance. However, as their time on the island progresses, their adherence to these rules diminishes, leading to chaos and anarchy.

The sow's head, mounted on a stick and surrounded by flies, symbolizes the decay and deterioration of the boys' civilized behavior. It serves as a stark reminder of their regression into a primitive state, where the only law is the law of the jungle. The head's gruesome appearance reflects the savage nature that has taken hold of the boys.

Sociologist Emile Durkheim's concept of collective conscience is relevant here. Durkheim argues that society is held together by a shared set of moral values and norms. In Lord of the Flies, the boys' loss of civilization leads to the disintegration of their collective conscience, as exemplified by the sow's head. The head represents the absence of societal constraints, where the boys are free to indulge in their darkest impulses without repercussions.

The sow's head also symbolizes the power of fear and its ability to manipulate individuals. As the boys become more consumed by their primal instincts, they start attributing supernatural powers to the beast, which they believe resides within the sow's head. The head speaks to Simon in a hallucination, saying, "Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!" (Golding, 143).

This interaction between Simon and the sow's head highlights the boys' growing paranoia and fear. The head becomes a source of terror, representing the unknown and the uncontrollable. It instills in the boys a sense of powerlessness and fuels their descent into savagery.

Psychologist Stanley Milgram's famous obedience experiment sheds light on the power of fear in influencing human behavior. Milgram demonstrated that individuals are more likely to obey authority figures, even if it means causing harm to others. In Lord of the Flies, the boys' fear of the beast leads them to blindly follow Jack, who promises protection from the supposed threat. The sow's head, as a symbol of fear, serves as a catalyst for their submission to Jack's rule and further descent into chaos.

In conclusion, the sow's head in Lord of the Flies represents the inherent darkness within humanity, the loss of civilization, and the power of fear. It serves as a physical manifestation of the boys' descent into savagery and their willingness to abandon their civilized behavior. Through the analysis of the sow's head, we gain a deeper understanding of the themes explored in the novel, such as the fragility of civilization and the destructive power of fear. William Golding's use of this symbolic object effectively conveys the timeless message that even in the absence of external constraints, humanity's inner evil can emerge.

In order to fully comprehend the significance of the sow's head and its implications, further exploration could be done into the psychological and sociological aspects of human nature. Additionally, examining the impact of other symbols in the novel, such as the conch shell or the signal fire, would contribute to a deeper analysis of the themes presented. Lord of the Flies remains a thought-provoking novel that forces us to confront the darker aspects of human behavior and serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of society.