5.1.1
Allegory
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Allegory
An allegory is a type of story where the lessons the author wants to teach readers are taught by using characters to represent key human and societal characteristics.
Allegory
- Each character represents an aspect of human society.
- The story is an allegory.
- An allegory a type of story where the lessons the author wants to teach readers are taught by using characters to represent key human and societal characteristics.
Ralph
- Ralph represents civilisation and order.
- However, he also shows that evil exists within everyone.
- He loses his sense of civility and becomes more savage at the feast when Simon is killed.
- Golding uses him to show that all humans have evil and savagery buried within them, trying to get out.
Piggy
- Piggy represents intelligence, the positive influence of civilisation, science, logic, and maturity.
- He wears glasses, teaches Ralph how to blow on the conch shell, and makes logical, sensible decisions.
- When he is killed, it symbolises the complete destruction of civility and common sense on the island.
Jack
- Jack represents wildness and violence.
- He illustrates the dangers of allowing a dictator to take control, and warns against following anyone who enjoys causing harm to others.
- Jack shows how the natural savage nature of humanity can easily escape and grow, with horrific consequences.
Roger
- Roger is symbolic of pure evil in the world.
- He is only ever shown to cause distress, pain and (ultimately) death in the novel.
- He enjoys causing fear and is happy to follow Jack once Jack’s savage nature takes hold.
Simon
- Simon represents goodness, morality and innocence.
- He sees through the fear of the “beast” and understands the true nature of humanity.
- Ultimately, his death shows how fragile the good side of humanity is.
1Context
2Story Analysis
2.2Chapter 2
2.3Chapter 3
2.4Chapter 4
2.6Chapter 6
2.7Chapter 7
2.9Chapter 9
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
3Key Characters
4Key Concepts
5Writing Techniques
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Characters Quotes
6.2Text Structure - Quotes
6.2.1The Sound of the Shell - Quotations6.2.2Fire on the Mountain - Quotations6.2.3Huts on the Beach - Quotations6.2.4Painted Faces & Long Hair - Quotations6.2.5Beast from the Water - Quotations6.2.6Beast From the Air - Quotations6.2.7Shadows & Tall Trees - Quotations6.2.8Gift for the Darkness - Quotations6.2.9Gift for the Darkness - Quotations 26.2.10A View to a Death - Quotations6.2.11The Shell & the Glasses - Quotations6.2.12Castle Rock - Quotations6.2.13Cry of the Hunters - Quotations
Jump to other topics
1Context
2Story Analysis
2.2Chapter 2
2.3Chapter 3
2.4Chapter 4
2.6Chapter 6
2.7Chapter 7
2.9Chapter 9
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
3Key Characters
4Key Concepts
5Writing Techniques
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Characters Quotes
6.2Text Structure - Quotes
6.2.1The Sound of the Shell - Quotations6.2.2Fire on the Mountain - Quotations6.2.3Huts on the Beach - Quotations6.2.4Painted Faces & Long Hair - Quotations6.2.5Beast from the Water - Quotations6.2.6Beast From the Air - Quotations6.2.7Shadows & Tall Trees - Quotations6.2.8Gift for the Darkness - Quotations6.2.9Gift for the Darkness - Quotations 26.2.10A View to a Death - Quotations6.2.11The Shell & the Glasses - Quotations6.2.12Castle Rock - Quotations6.2.13Cry of the Hunters - Quotations
Practice questions on Allegory
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