What does Piggy suffer in Lord of the Flies? William Golding’s classic novel “Lord of the Flies,” tells the story of a group of young boys who become stranded on an uninhabited island and must fend for themselves without adult supervision. Among these boys is Piggy, an intellectual character with poor eyesight, a weight problem, and asthma. Despite his greater intelligence, Piggy is also the most physically vulnerable of all the boys, which makes him an easy target for bullying and mistreatment. In this article, we will explore the various ways Piggy suffers throughout the novel and what his experiences reveal about the darker aspects of human nature.
What does Piggy suffer in Lord of the Flies? (Complete Answer)
What does Piggy suffer in Lord of the Flies? Piggy, the intellectual with poor eyesight, a weight problem, and asthma, is one of the most complex and intriguing characters in William Golding’s novel “Lord of the Flies.” Throughout the book, Piggy is subjected to various forms of suffering, including physical, emotional, and psychological.
The most obvious form of suffering that Piggy experiences is physical. His poor eyesight, weight problem, and asthma make him the most physically vulnerable of all the boys on the island. He cannot participate in many of the other boys’ physical activities, such as hunting and exploring the island, which makes him feel excluded and inferior. Additionally, his glasses, which are his only means of correcting his vision, are broken early on in the novel, leaving him virtually blind and helpless.
But Piggy’s suffering goes beyond just physical limitations. He is also subjected to emotional and psychological suffering throughout the novel. As the most intelligent and rational of the boys, Piggy often finds himself at odds with the others, who are more interested in power and control than reason and logic. He is constantly belittled and ridiculed for his intellectualism and physical appearance, which only further isolates him.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking form of suffering that Piggy experiences is losing his friend, Ralph. Throughout the novel, Piggy and Ralph form a bond based on their shared intellect and rationality. But as the boys become more savage and animalistic, Ralph begins to distance himself from Piggy, ultimately betraying him in the novel’s final scene.
How does Piggy lose his innocence?
Piggy loses his innocence gradually throughout the novel, primarily due to the other boys’ treatment of him. Initially, he holds on to his beliefs in civilization, democracy, and rules. However, as the island becomes more savage and the other boys increasingly reject Piggy’s ideas, he begins surrendering to the violence and anarchy around him. Piggy’s glasses, which represent technology and rational thinking, become the only source of fire-making on the island, and the boys’ obsession with fire ultimately leads to the destruction of the conch and Piggy’s death. Piggy’s death marks the complete loss of his innocence and the triumph of savagery over civilization on the island.
What does Piggy symbolize in Lord of the Flies?
Piggy in Lord of the Flies symbolizes intellect and rationalism. He is an intelligent boy who possesses a rational understanding of the need for rules and order in society. Piggy represents education, scientific reasoning, and the power of human intelligence to analyze and solve problems. His glasses serve as a symbol of his clarity of vision and insight into the truth of the situation on the island. However, despite his intelligence, Piggy is marginalized by the other boys because of his physical appearance, lack of athleticism, and unwillingness to conform to group thinking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Piggy’s suffering in “Lord of the Flies” is multi-faceted and complex. He is subjected to physical, emotional, and psychological suffering throughout the novel, making him one of the story’s most tragic and sympathetic characters. His experiences reveal the darker aspects of human nature and the devastating consequences of giving in to our primal instincts.