William Golding s Lord Of The Flies - 1603 Words

Literary devices are techniques often used by authors to portray in-depth analyses of major characters, storylines, and central themes, which take place in a story. These analyses help readers understand a message the author is trying to convey. In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses different literary devices in order to demonstrate the boys’ struggle against the lack of society and law on the island, as well as the consequences that have transpired due to this loss. This conflict is evident through the different instances of irony, foreshadowing, and symbolism that occurs throughout the novel. Irony shows the massive undergo of change the boys on the island experience; near the beginning of the novel, Ralph and Jack’s†¦show more content†¦Lots of rules!† (32), and later on says, â€Å"We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything† (42). However, on the contrary, it is shown in the consecutive chapters that Jack is one of the first boys to succumb to their primitive instincts despite what he claims in chapter 2. These instances of irony show the foolishness and naivety of the boys in the beginning, which also shows the major change of behaviour they go through. This change of behaviour is addressed by the naval officer at the conclusion of the story, where he remarks the boys with disgust, â€Å"I should have thought [...] a pack of British boys [...] would have been able to put up a better show than that†(224). This quotation coincidentally resembles Jack’s earlier line about â€Å" the English are best at everything†(42). However, the naval officer does not realize the traumatic events that have happened on the island is a microcosm of the constant war between civilization and savagery happening in society in which the naval officer is a part of. After the naval officer’s comments about the boys, they all begin to sob, as they realize the immense change they went from innocent boys to complete savages. The irony in the story has revealed the inner conflict between civilization and savagery in a place without law and order and its effect on the behaviour of the boys; ultimately causing the boys to face their major consequence: the