Island Description and Symbolism in Lord of the Flies
The second chapter of Lord of the Flies presents a complex portrayal of the island, blending elements of beauty and danger. The boys' declaration, "This is our island. It's a good island," sets up a contrast between their initial perception and the reality that unfolds throughout the novel.
The island is initially described with attractive features, creating a sense of comfort for both the boys and the reader. Golding uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of a "great platform of pink granite" emerging through various natural elements. This description, enhanced by the use of polysyndeton, emphasizes the overwhelming beauty of the landscape and the boys' awe in their new environment.
Highlight: The use of polysyndeton in describing the island's features emphasizes its beauty and the boys' overwhelming experience.
Simon's interaction with nature provides another perspective on the island's positive aspects. The narrator describes a serene scene where sunlight illuminates "wide white flowers," creating a church-like atmosphere. This peaceful setting offers a stark contrast to the challenges the boys face elsewhere on the island.
Example: The description of Simon in nature, where "heat and urgency cooled away," illustrates the island's capacity to provide moments of tranquility.
However, the island is not entirely benign. Golding employs personification and animalistic imagery to give the island a disturbing presence. The trees are described as if they were alive and potentially threatening, standing, leaning, or reclining with "green feathers" high in the air.
Vocabulary: Polysyndeton - A literary device where conjunctions are used in close succession for emphasis.
The boys' initial optimism about the island, expressed in simple sentences, reveals their naivety and the need for self-reassurance in their unfamiliar surroundings. This optimism is gradually undermined by more ominous descriptions of the environment.
Quote: "This is our island. It's a good island."
Foreshadowing plays a significant role in the island's description. The mention of "decaying coconuts and palm saplings" symbolizes the interplay of death and life, hinting at the savage game that will unfold among the boys.
Definition: Foreshadowing - A literary device used to hint at future events in the narrative.
