What does water symbolize in Lord of the Flies? In William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, the island setting is more than just a backdrop for the boys’ struggle for survival, as it’s filled with symbols that reveal deeper truths about human nature. One of the most significant of these symbols is water, especially the ocean that surrounds the island. While it might seem at first like a simple barrier or a source of life, water in the novel actually carries a much deeper meaning. By exploring what water represents, we can gain new insight into Golding’s message about the hidden depths within every person.
What does water symbolize in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, water is a powerful symbol that goes beyond its role as a simple barrier or resource. Throughout the novel, water—especially the ocean that surrounds the boys’ island—symbolizes the unconscious mind, representing the deep thoughts and desires buried within every human being.
The ocean acts as a boundary, keeping the boys isolated from civilization. Golding describes it as “the sleeping leviathan,” suggesting something vast and mysterious lurking beneath its surface. This is similar to how our own unconscious minds hold feelings and instincts we may not fully understand: “The sea was as smooth as glass.” The stillness hints at hidden depths—calm on top, but potentially full of turmoil underneath.
Ralph, at one point, looks out at the water and reflects on their situation: “The great Pacific tide was coming in… The water was warmer than his blood and he might have been swimming in a huge bath.” Here, the warmth and comfort of the water can be seen as tempting, drawing the boys toward their primitive instincts and away from order.
Golding also shows how the boys fear what might lie beneath the waves. When they speak of a beast coming from the sea, their terror is clear: “Beast from water…the assembly cried out savagely.” This fear isn’t just about an actual monster—it represents their anxiety about what’s hidden in themselves.
In this way, water in Lord of the Flies stands for much more than survival or escape. It symbolizes the unconscious—the dark, unexplored parts of human nature filled with impulses that can emerge in extreme circumstances. The boys’ growing savagery suggests that when cut off from society (with only water separating them), these deep desires begin to rise to the surface.
What does beast from water mean in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, “beast from water” refers to the boys’ fear that a mysterious creature might be living in the sea around the island. While they imagine it as an actual monster, the phrase also has a deeper meaning. The “beast from water” represents their fear of the unknown and symbolizes the dark, hidden parts of human nature. These are the unconscious thoughts and desires that everyone carries inside. Instead of being a real monster, it shows the boys are beginning to see that the actual danger comes from themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, water in Lord of the Flies is a symbol for the hidden thoughts and feelings that everyone has deep down. By surrounding the island with an enigmatic, often intimidating ocean, Golding reminds us that beneath our civilized behavior lies a vast inner world we don’t always understand. The boys’ fear of what might emerge from the water mirrors their fear of facing their own darker instincts. Through this symbol, Golding suggests that it’s only when we confront and understand our unconscious selves that we can hope to truly know our place in the world.