Symbols and their meaning. The novel can be read as a metaphor, and we can find there a number of symbols. The system of symbols in the novel can be interpreted from different points of view because the novel itself can be read on different levels. The most common interpretation is that the novel an allegory of historical development of human socium.
From that point of view we can interpret the characters of boys as different political trends or social forces: for example piggy (glasses) – social order, intelligence, technical approach to all problems; Jack is rough despot, eager to have total control about all the people, and so we can see the same tendency with many other boys.
Ralph is much more difficult and interesting. He is the only boy which is showed in the process of growing up. From one point of view when we see him between the other boys, with the conch in his hands – he is a symbol of democracy, the way of government which aims to order justice. From the other point of view, when we see his thoughts, recollections, uncertainties – we see a human soul which is quite honest in trying to understand itself, to understand the world and the other people.
The figure of Simon is not quite clear too. Some scholars (researches) see here a symbol of Crist. I can’t agree with it buy certainly there are some points which make such opinion possible. For example the final separation between the boys begins with Simon’s death, when the main part of children wants to forget it and refuses became aware of anything, and Ralph is finally the only who doesn’t disclaim his own responsibility of all that happened.
The Beast is the symbol of some danger, some enemy. People look for it everywhere in the world defeat it but they cannot realize that this evil is inside of their own souls and if somebody tries to say about it loudly they make such man a laughing stock..
I’d like to point such symbol as fire which has no use for the life on the island but which is necessary for escaping. Until the boys remember their motherland and want to return home, the fire is housekeeping, a social keeping thing. As far as they begin to like their new life the fire losts its sense too. When people forget that their motherland is at (in) heaven they love(?) their human appearance.