The Significance of the “Beast” in Lord of the Flies: How the Concept of the Beast Reflects the Boys’ Inner Fears and Societal Collapse
The Significance of the “Beast” in Lord of the Flies: How the Concept of the Beast Reflects the Boys’ Inner Fears and Societal Collapse
In Lord of the Flies, the “beast” plays a central role in representing the boys’ deepest fears and the breakdown of their societal order. The beast initially appears as a vague, shadowy figure, but over time, it evolves into a powerful symbol of the boys’ inner turmoil and the collapse of civilization. As they struggle to survive on the island, the boys project their fear onto the concept of the beast, which becomes a manifestation of their irrationality and descent into savagery.
The idea of the beast first takes hold when a littlun named Phil claims to have seen the creature. As the boys discuss the beast, their collective fear grows, despite the fact that there is no real evidence of its existence. The fear of the beast becomes a tool for Jack to manipulate the other boys, convincing them that only he, as the leader of the hunters, can protect them from it. Jack uses the beast to justify his violent actions and to gain power, demonstrating how fear can be weaponized to create chaos and division within a group.
The beast also represents the boys’ struggle with their own humanity. Simon, the character who is most in tune with nature and inner truth, eventually realizes that the beast is not a physical entity but rather the darkness that resides within each of them. This epiphany is tragically confirmed when Simon is killed by the boys, who, in a frenzy of fear, mistake him for the beast. In this moment, Golding suggests that the true “beast” is the primal, violent instincts that exist in all humans, waiting to be unleashed when societal norms are removed.
The concept of the beast, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol of the fear that drives the boys to abandon their moral compass and adopt a savage, survivalist mindset. As the boys’ fear of the beast grows, so does their descent into barbarism. The “beast” ultimately symbolizes the collapse of order and the dangers of unchecked fear in a fragile society.
