从象征主义角度解读《蝇王》中人性的黑暗(英文)

2 The Interpretation of Human Darkness from Angle of Symbolism
Symbolism is defined as the representation; treatment or interpretation of things as symbolic. In society and in particular, literature, symbolism is a prominent component that helps to illustrate a deeper meaning then perceived by the reader. Symbolism can be anything, a person, place or thing [6]. William Golding uses much symbolism in his novel. All of the symbols Golding uses throughout the novel show the revelation of evil from within the children. Golding uses Lord of Flies as the title of the novel because the Lord of Flies symbolizes the innate evil within the children, which is the main idea of the novel. Golding shows that the children are not conditioned by society or another satanic force to act in an evil manner; the innate evil within themselves causes them to act in such a way. Golding uses symbolism in three important areas: objects that have symbolic value as references to ideas, characters that symbolize important historical and religious people, and the setting which frames the conflicts on the island in comparison to the whole world .

2.1 Character symbolism
In the novel of Lords of Flies, the several key figures are Ralph, Piggy, Simon, Jack and Roger, whose ages range from six to twelve. They were abandoned in a desert island in an air crash and organize a small and simple society, which is regarded as miniature of adult society. At first when the boys land on the island, Golding describes these innocent boys and their rational and civilized lifestyle in an easy tone. But as the story progresses, the inherent evil and darkness within the boys is gradually exposed and devastates the civilization established on the island completely. When expressing the view of human darkness, Golding endows every figure with symbolic meaning in their appearance, words, behavior and so on.
2.1.1 The interpretation of human darkness in Ralph
The first character Golding introduces is Ralph. The civil leader was acted through Ralph. He represents order, leadership, and civilization. Although Ralph is primarily focused on being rescued and keeping the island civilized, he too is overcome by the powerful temptation of innate evil inside him [7]. When Ralph hits the boar on the nose with his spear, he is overcome with a rush of excitement and power. Ralph initially does not agree with the idea of hunting and refrains from partaking in the violent act. But after hitting the boar and getting his first taste of violence, Ralph is overpowered by the feeling of supremacy, letting weakness and innate evil hidden inside him slowly become revealed. A further instance of Ralph’s weakness is exposed in his final scene, when he is rescued by the Naval officer. It is ironic that the naval officer reprimands the boys for their barbaric behavior because he, being a naval officer during a war, is participating in similar, if not more savage, behavior. Nonetheless, Ralph steps forward and accepts responsibility for the disaster the island is in. It is then that he realizes how his attempts to maintain civilization have failed. At this point Ralph realizes the innate evil within the boys has overcome each of them to an inconceivable extent.
2.1.2 The interpretation of human darkness in Piggy
Piggy is a major character in Lord of Flies because he is the rational thinker. Piggy is an overweight asthmatic boy about 8 years in age, who cannot see without his glasses and represents physical weakness and mental strength. He represents the scientific and intellectual aspects of civilization. But on the other hand, Piggy is also used as a symbol to show the innate evil in the boys. As time goes on, Piggy makes fewer and fewer references to his auntie as he is deprived more and more of civilization and his old life. Nevertheless, Piggy holds on to his sense of civilization the entire time he is on the island, unlike many of the other boys. Piggy’s hair never seeming to grow symbolizes his holding on to civilization. Piggy was brought up to know right from wrong and always acts civilized, as he was brought up to. Even when all the other boys are picking on him, Piggy keeps his composure and acts as he was raised, never acting spitefully toward them. Piggy is, in a way, a motherly figure while on the island. He is always left behind from the hunting trips. Piggy sometimes also acts as a motherly figure towards Ralph. Piggy always keeps Ralph in line. He keeps Ralph from giving in to Jack's tribe, believing in the beast, and even from giving in to his own inner evil. Although it seems Piggy does not know it, he has a very profound influence on Ralph. Piggy influences Ralph in many ways. Some of the boys notice that Ralph is even starting to act like Piggy. Ralph can always turn to Piggy in a time of need for advice. The climax of this transition is marked by the death of Piggy and the destruction of the conch shell. Piggy’s death in itself represents loss of civilization and the takeover of inner evil. Jack sees Piggy as a threat to his goals of spreading his evil ways through his tribe. Jack knows that in order for him and his evil ways to have total control over the other children, he must get rid of all good and Piggy, for Piggy has a positive influence on almost all of the children. Jack wants Piggy killed in order to remove all intellectual, civilized, and moral influence that Piggy has on the other children. The civilization the conch represents along with the intellect, maturity, and organization that Piggy possesses is lost when Piggy is killed. This point marks the end of all stability on the island.转贴于 酷文网-论文下载中心 http://www.coolwen.net