Home > Lord of the Flies Summary & Study Guide > Lord of the Flies Group > Question and Answer

Question:

Answers:

1. 
   danylyshen Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   The message that the boys want to send is: "rescue us, we're here, we're alive, and we need help!" The boys need to signal all of this to the adult world and they intend to do this with the signal fire. Unfortunately, some boys want to be manly and hunt, some wish to play, some are serious, and others do their own thing. Ralph, Piggy, and Simon are the three most serious boys who realize that a signal fire is the way to rescue and that they have to maintain one day and night for it to be spotted and for them to be rescued. Through the course of the novel, the fire is neglected and the idea isn't followed through. The fire symbol changes from one of salvation to one of destruction and one of ecstatic warrior ritual. Ironically, it is the smoke and fire from the burning island rampant with wild little boys that saves them.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/flies/summary

   Rate answer:

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by danylyshen on Thursday April 16, 2009 at 2:53 PM