Lord of the Flies..fire??

Question

In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, how does fire (being a symbol) evolve/change.
I know it is uncontrolled in the begining of the book and in the middle controlled and then at the end uncontrolled again but does anyone else have anything I haven't thought of??

Thanks

Diana P means Ralph not Roger

Answer 1

The Signal Fire is a representation of commonsense and rescue from immorality. When the signal fire can no longer be lit, because Jack stole Piggy’s specs that light it, its beacon of hope and knowledge is no longer present to guide Ralph who must then be constantly reminded by Piggy about what is right."

"The symbol of fire is used throughout the entire book, Lord of the Flies. Although it is mentioned only briefly throughout, the significance of these occurrences has a strong effect on the characters, book, and the reader. The author, William Golding, uses the fire to show the status of the people on the island. The fire is first mentioned in chapter three when Ralph decides that it is needed if they wish to ever be rescued. It is again reintroduced in chapter eight when Piggy suggests that it should be moved to the beach which they are inhabiting. Fire is later mentioned in chapters ten and eleven as the
central conflict in the book at that time. This symbol is finally mentioned in chapter twelve as it engulfs the entire island. Golding uses fire as a symbol to represent hope and commonsense."

"The Signal Fire
The signal fire burns on the mountain, and later on the beach, to attract the notice of passing ships that might be able to rescue the boys. As a result, the signal fire becomes a barometer of the boys’ connection to civilization. In the early parts of the novel, the fact that the boys maintain the fire is a sign that they want to be rescued and return to society. When the fire burns low or goes out, we realize that the boys have lost sight of their desire to be rescued and have accepted their savage lives on the island. The signal fire thus functions as a kind of measurement of the strength of the civilized instinct remaining on the island. Ironically, at the end of the novel, a fire finally summons a ship to the island, but not the signal fire. Instead, it is the fire of savagery—the forest fire Jack’s gang starts as part of his quest to hunt and kill Ralph."

"The Fire s Relationship Towards Civilization.

In Lord of the Flies, the fire is a main symbol through out the story. It represents amount of civilized strength left within the boys. When the fire burns stronger, it means that they are getting closer to society and when the fire is not burning or is weak, they too are weakening. The signal fire becomes an indicator of the boys connection to civilization. Throughout the book, the fire is a key symbol that means not only rescue, but hope and civilization. Even the forest fire in the end of the story, that was meant to destroy, ended up being the boy s key to rescue. In the beginning of this book, one of the most important parts is when Jack let the fire go out to go hunting. Although hunting is not necessarily barbaric or a loss of civilization, it is still what leads up to the loss of civilization. When Ralph realizes the power of the fire and admits that if everyone does not do their duty and cooperate in keeping the fire going, all hopes in contacting civilization outside are shattered. The fire is their only chance of survival and if it goes out, their destined to stay on the island forever. As long as the fire is well maintained, the boys show a desire to return to their civilization, but when the fire burns low or goes out, the boys lose sight of their wish to be rescued, because they have accepted their barbaric lives on the island.

Ralph previously reminded Jack to keep the fire going.
He replied; "Rescue? Yes, of course! All the same, I'd like to catch a pig first-"
He snatched up his spear and dashed it into the: ground. The opaque, mad look came into his eyes again. Ralph looked at him critically through his
tangle of fair hair.

Jack has his priority on hunting a pig. He does want to be rescued, but would rather be tough like a leader. When he slammed his spear into the ground, his eyes look opaque and crazy. His eyes changing is the result of his barbaric actions. When he thinks about killing, the fire, rescue is not a priority at all.
The lower the fire becomes the more barbaric the boys actions become. This is because they have lost sight of their priorities and are slowly forgetting civilized behavior. This is what he said before he experienced his first kill. Before he felt like a tough hunter who spilled blood. When Jack returns, from his hunting there is tension and you can see the Jack still has some want for rescue, but is extremely proud of his hunt.
"We can light the fire again. You should have been with us, Ralph. We had a smashing time. The twins got knocked over-"
"We hit the pig-"
"-I fell on top-"
"I cut the pig's throat," said Jack, proudly, and yet twitched as he said it.
"Can I borrow yours, Ralph, to make a nick in the hilt?"
The boys chattered and danced. The twins continued to grin.
There was lashings of blood," said Jack, laughing and shuddering,
"you should have seen it!"
"We'll go hunting every day-"
Ralph spoke again, hoarsely. He had not moved.
"You let the fire go out."
This repetition made Jack uneasy. He looked at the twins and then back at Ralph.
"We had to have them in the hunt," he said, "or there wouldn't have
been enough for a ring."
He flushed, conscious of a fault.
"The fire's only been out an hour or two. We can light up again-"
He noticed Ralph's scarred nakedness, and the somber silence of all
four of them. He sought, charitable in his happiness, to include them in the thing that had happened. His mind was crowded with memories; memories of the
knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig ,knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon
it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink. He spread his arms wide.
"You should have seen the blood!"
The hunters were more silent now, but at this they buzzed again. Ralph
flung back his hair. One arm pointed at the empty horizon. His voice was
loud and savage, and struck them into silence.
"There was a ship."
Jack, faced at once with too many awful implications, ducked away from
them. He laid a hand on the pig and drew his knife. Ralph brought his arm
down, fist clenched, and his voice shook.
"There was a ship. Out there. You said you'd keep the fire going and
you let it out!" He took a step toward Jack, who turned and faced him.
"They might have seen us. We might have gone home-"

During this point in the story, you can identify Jacks love for control, strength and blood. He is proud of his first kill. Even tough this is the case, you can identify his uneasiness. He knows that he is at a fault which shows that he still has some civilization with him. Even though he is still a bit civilized, he has developed a passion for killing. Jack proudly tells about slitting the pig s throat, yet twitches when he does so. After Ralph s repetition, he looks back at the twins and Ralph for reassurance as though he knows he did something wrong. Then he notices Ralph s feelings and the aura he gives off. In this book, Jack noticing someone s scarred nakedness and somber silence is quite rare. This shows that he is still a bit civilized. He let the fire out and instead of tending to it, he went hunting. This shows the relationship between his barbaric actions and the fire going out.
At the very end of chapter six, Jack and the boys want to make a fort on Castle Rock. Ralph adamantly says no..."I'm chief. We've got to make certain. Can't you see the mountain? There's no signal showing. There may be a ship out there. Are you all off your rockers? This is one of the first times that there are near rebellion against Ralph's ideas and plans. He sees that all of the boys, not just Jack, are disagreeing with him and changing.
Ironically, towards the ending of the book, there was a forest fire that was meant to kill - meant to destroy and cause anarchy. This savagery was what saved them at the end. This shows that a fire burning, so big, is what brings them to civilization. When previously, the fire was out, they were killing one another. As Ralph is running from the fire, it says, Now the fire was nearer; those volleying shots were great limbs, trunks even, bursting. The fools! The fools! The fire must be almost at the fruit trees- what would they eat tomorrow? This quote is very important. The fire is seen as a weapon. This is just like a person. A person is very beneficial, but can also destroy and has great evil inside itself."

Answer 2

Lord Of The Flies Fire

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Lord of the Flies..fire??
In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, how does fire (being a symbol) evolve/change.
I know it is uncontrolled in the begining of the book and in the middle controlled and then at the end uncontrolled again but does anyone else have anything I haven't thought of??

Thanks

Answer 4

The signal fire burns on the mountain, and later on the beach, to attract the notice of passing ships that might be able to rescue the boys. As a result, the signal fire becomes a barometer of the boys’ connection to civilization.At the beggining of the novel , the fact that the boys maintain the fire is a sign that they want to be rescued . Then it provides them with meat (cooking). Last straw between Jack and Roger: Jack's people were supposed to be watching the fire, and it went out just as a ship went by. Then fire becomes a possession that Jack steals from Roger, even though Roger says (and we believe him) that he would've gladly given him fire had he only asked. When the fire goes out, we realize that the boys have lost sight of their desire to be rescued and have accepted their savage lives on the island. Ironically, at the end of the novel, a fire finally calls a ship to the island, but not the signal fire. Instead, it is the fire of Jack—the forest fire Jack’s gang starts as part of his quest to hunt and kill Ralph. The signal fire functions as a kind of measurement of the strength of the civilized instinct remaining on the island

Answer 5

Written quickly and from memory, so look on this as a suggestion:

The out of control fire that kills the boy with the birthmark I think would be considered foreshadowing. But in the beginning, it gives them warmth, food, and safety, and hope that a ship or plane will see its smoke.

Then it provides them with meat (cooking).

Last straw between Jack and Roger: Jack's people were supposed to be watching the fire, and it went out just as a ship went by.

Then fire becomes a possession that Jack steals from Roger, even though Roger says (and we believe him) that he would've gladly given him fire had he only asked.

Fire used by Jack to kill Roger and burn down the whole island, making it sterile and uninhabitable.

safety --> food (cooking) --> theft --> murder, destruction
warmth
food
hope

Keep in mind that the fire itself doesn't change; the boys' use of it is what changes.

Also, at first the boys are controlled by civilization and society. As that wears off, the "beast" comes out in most of them and they become uncontrolled -- just like the fire.

Answer 6

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/osK6L

I am a new creation in Christ. I am a beloved child of the Most High God. I am holy, blameless and above reproach in God's sight, because as Jesus is at the Father's right hand, so am I in this world. I am the redeemed of the Lord. In Christ, I am greatly blessed, highly favoured, deeply loved, never alone and always cared for. I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ who loves me. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am a king and priest in Christ. I am what I am, by the grace of God. :) Add: I am also the disciple whom Jesus loves. :)