How Does Lord of the Flies reflect the Second World War
William Golding wrote " Lord of the Flies " after the Second World War was over. Many of the things that Golding wrote about can be related to aspects of war. One of the major themes in the book is the power struggle between Jack and Ralph. In war this represents the two sides, the Allies and the Axis. Many objects that are found in the book can also be related to war. For example the conch represented law and order so that when it was broken, it was symbolic of law and order breaking down because the conch was so visual. This emphasised its broken state. One of the major points that Golding wrote about was the power struggle between the two main characters Jack and Ralph. Throughout the book they represented the breakdown of relations between England and Germany. When the boys crashed onto the island, Ralph was immediately voted as the leader because he was very handsome and, at first had somewhat of a rapport with the boys. This strongly represented England just before the Second World War had started. England was a very civilised country, with great industrial strength and a big empire with strong forces. She looked impressive compared to less modernised countries. Germany was still strong but they had a much smaller empire w
Firstly Ralph admits to it being murder but then Piggy rejects the fact by saying " Stop that, what good are you doing talking like that?" Then, finally came Piggy. Although Jack is never seen to physically perform a cruel act, he compels Maurice and Roger to do so. Even today servicemen do not like to talk about this subject. Many boys including Jack could not of done what they did without the use of masks and war paint as it hides their identity. Germany was envious of England and in "Lord of the Flies" the jealousy that Jack feels towards Ralph is enormous and represents the situation between England and Germany before World War two. Instead of abandoning law and order, for much of the book it is totally the opposite. Jack, towards the end of " Lord of the Flies", is the leader of the boys. In the book, as the boys are quite young they haven't really established many moral standards and any which have been established have been totally disregarded. Like Jesus, Simon was tempted by the devil, but in a different form - in the form of a pig's head. The Nazis convinced everyone that the Jews were inferior to them and the need for them to be exterminated was essential. In war many lives were sacrificed because of the Germans and our fear. At the time of war, law and order are discarded. This is idea is also quite prominent in "Lord of the Flies" but instead of uniform, masks and war paint are worn. While Simon is in the wilderness, we see that he rejects Christian thoughts. This change also resembled the change Hitler made when he came into power.
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Acceptance Essays
