Discussion Topic
Golding's use of colors to characterize Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and Simon in Lord of the Flies
Summary:
In Lord of the Flies, Golding uses colors to symbolize the traits of Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and Simon. Ralph is often associated with natural colors, reflecting leadership and order. Jack is linked with red, symbolizing aggression and savagery. Piggy is connected to pink, indicating vulnerability and innocence. Simon is depicted with light and white, representing purity and moral goodness.
How does Golding use symbols, particularly colors, to characterize Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and Simon in Chapter 1?
Color Symbolism in Chapter One of Lord of the Flies:
Jack--
Originally portrayed in the somber black of his choir robes, Jack's wardrobe color associates him with the austerity and tradition of English boys' choir, the dress of which is exceedingly formal. This aspect of Jack's dress, the solemnity of the subdued color black on the boys, suggests a strong tie to civilization; however the color black on Jack could also foreshadow his role in the eventual darkness of the island.
Ralph--
Ralph is associated with the white delicacy of the conch. White is traditionally an innocent and pure color. Golding uses the conch to suggest that Ralph, as its possessor, also has these qualities.
Piggy--
Piggy is associated with the color pink. He turns pink when Jack calls him "fatty," and Golding describes his the bridge of his glasses making a "deep, pink 'V' on the...
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bridge" of Piggy's "button nose" (11). Coupled with his nickname, Piggy's association with the color pink reinforces Golding's portrayal of Piggy as having pig-like traits.
Simon--
No noteworthy color association for Simon, except that Golding portrays him as being extremely pale with "black coarse hair" (24). As one of the choir, his official black choir robe automatically associates him with Jack.
In Lord of the Flies Chapter 1, how does Golding use colors to characterize Ralph and Jack?
Golding associates Ralph most closely with the symbol of the conch. The conch is a creamy white, natural and pure; Golding uses the color association of the conch with Ralph to suggest that Ralph, like the conch, is also pure and has an innocent quality. Later, as the conch comes to symbolize authority and order, Ralph, its possessor, also gains authority from his association with the conch shell.
Jack Merridew, on the other hand, is first portrayed by Golding as being "hidden" by his black cloak, his choral ensemble (19). Golding's use of the color black in conjunction with Jack's character suggests early on that Jack may be the villain of the novel; his color stands in stark opposition to the crisp white color related to Ralph and the shell. Jack's dark cloak, moreover, is described as 'hiding' the boy, and as the novel continues, the motif of disguises and masks plays a dominant role in the development of Jack's character and the novel as a whole.