What are stockings in Lord of the Flies? If you’ve come across the word “stockings” while reading Lord of the Flies, you might be wondering what it means in the context of the story. The boys arrive on the island wearing typical British school uniforms, which include items like shorts, shirts, and stockings. Understanding what stockings are and how their use changes as the story progresses can help you see how Golding shows the boys’ gradual shift away from their civilized beginnings.
What are stockings in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, “stockings” are the long socks that the boys wear as part of their British school uniforms. When they first arrive on the island, Golding describes them as still wearing these proper clothes: “The fair boy… removed his stockings with an effort and looked at his feet, surrounded by a fringe of palm saplings.” The mention of stockings highlights how the boys start off clinging to the rules and routines of their old lives. As time goes on, many of them abandon their stockings along with other parts of their uniforms, showing how they slowly let go of civilization and adapt to life on the island.
What are garters in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, a garter is an elastic band, or a fastener attached to a band or girdle, used to hold up a stocking or sock. The boys wear garters as part of their school uniforms, and these small details help show how they start off clinging to the rules and order of their previous lives before things begin to unravel on the island.
What is the symbolism of clothing in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, clothing symbolizes civilization and order. When the boys first arrive on the island, they wear their proper school uniforms, which shows their connection to the rules and structure of society. As the story goes on and their clothes become torn, dirty, or are discarded altogether, it reflects how they are losing touch with civilization and giving in to their more primal instincts.
What is a Precentor in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, a precentor is someone who leads a church choir or congregation in singing. Jack mentions that he’s the head boy and choir leader, or precentor, which shows his position of authority and experience with leadership before the boys end up on the island.
What is a matin in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, a “matin” refers to a morning church service or prayer. The word comes from religious tradition, where “matins” are prayers or services held early in the day. Its use in the novel helps highlight the boys’ background and the influence of their previous structured, religious lives before they are left to survive on their own.
Conclusion
In conclusion, stockings in Lord of the Flies are simply the long socks that were part of the boys’ school uniforms. Their presence at the start of the novel is a reminder of the civilized world they came from. As the boys get used to life on the island, giving up their stockings comes to represent letting go of their former rules and identities.