Essay, Research Paper
Golding portrays the different characters
and those ideologies that accompany them with a strong contrast in writing
style. To further understand this we must compare characters from his Nobel
Prize winning novel, The Lord of the Flies. A good example of this is Jack
who represents evil, described at the beginning of chapter three, and Simon
who represents good and spirituality, described at the end of chapter three.
Golding writes the story with the knowledge
that characters who strongly dominate the plot at any given time of the
book will become associated with the mood and imagery of their surroundings.
When he writes about Jack he creates dark images, to represent evil. One
of the ways that he does this is by placing Jack in a dark and unpleasant
jungle. The jungle that Golding describes is also humid, and makes the
reader feel uncomfortable. He also describes Jack as being similar to animals;
“?Then dog-like on all fours?”, “?flared nostrils”, as to create an image
of a character who is governed by instinct and savagery. The mention of
dark sunburn and freckles splashes the image of red colour on Jack’s character
signifying rage and lack of control. Every move that Jack makes is described
as quick and
Jack.
When Golding writes about Simon’s sunburn,
he describes it as a deep tan, which does not have the same connotation
as Jack’s red sunburn. Every move that Simon makes is slow and delicate;
“?He picked his way up the scar?”, “?He walked with an accustomed tread?”.
Simon is found in a beautiful scene with fruit trees, flowers, and honey
bees. Butterflies dance, expressing the good spirit always accompanying
Simon. Golding has the little ones who are the helpless and weak members
of society seek Simon for aide in reaching fruit that they themselves cannot
reach. This is done intentionally to show Simon’s compassion, and Golding
would not place Jack in a similar scenario. Chapter three concludes with
white flowers opening to symbolize peace and love, the aura surrounding
Simon.
It is nocoincidence that Simon and Jack
are placed in such different circumstances and imagery. It is also no mistake
that any similar movements and characteristics (sunburn) the two have,
are described in such a way as to create differing connotations. Golding
writes every sentence, places every image, and inserts every symbol with
precision. He truly is a masterful writer.