Abstract

William Golding is a well-known British writer. Lord of the Flies makes him notable worldwide. As his masterpiece, Lord of the Flies is often regarded as an excellent allegory. The author’s opinions about the real world and the human nature are reflected in the story. It shows how civilization is replaced by wildness, how a group of innocent boys changes into cold-blooded hunters. In the novel, the allegoric meaning is very important. 

The novel aims to indicate evil humanity. There are typical characters and images to help the author illustrate the theme. The two leaders Ralph and Jack represent opposite side of democracy and autocracy. They are different in personalities, thus they use different ways to rein the island. In the end Jack’s triumph claims the triumph of evil humanity. Piggy is equipped with scientific spirits and Simon is a reflex of faith and reason. They are all destroyed by Jack and the other savage boys. That’s also a proof that this allegory is to show evil humanity. Three images also help make the allegory more profound. The conch represents authority. The pair of glasses is a basic tool for living. And the beast is the best image to indicate evil humanity. The novel achieves a wonderful combination of allegoric characters and images. All the elements create an allegoric world. The effects of allegory are also obvious. The adoption of allegory makes the story more vivid. It conveys evil humanity more explicitly. Allegory makes the truth about evil humanity more persuasive because the author buries his intentions into the allegoric story，that is, to show people evil humanity so that he can warn them not to act like that. Golding wants modern people to know their human nature, thus changing their bad habits. Reading the allegory will make the readers be enlightened. 

Key words: Lord of the Flies, allegory, evil humanity

Content

摘要：

Abstract:

Introduction-1

1.-Definition of Allegory in Literature-4

2.-Allegoric Meanings of the Main Characters-5

3.Typical Allegoric Images Described in the Novel—the Conch, the Glasses and the Beast-10

4.The Effects of Allegory in the Novel-13

4.1. To Indicate the Theme, Evil Humanity-13

4.2. To Enlighten-15

5.Conclusion-17