Table of contentsThe beast as fear and the unknownThe beast as loss of innocenceThe beast as a catalyst for power strugglesConclusionHave you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of human nature? In William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies, a group of young boys stranded on an uninhabited island attempt to establish order and civilization. However, as their fear and primal instincts take hold, they begin to believe in the existence of a terrifying beast. This essay aims to explore the symbolism behind the beast in Lord of the Flies and its implications on human nature and civilization. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Beast as Fear and the Unknown Throughout the novel, the boys' fear of the beast grows as they struggle to understand their surroundings and their own identity. in the absence of adult authority. The presence of the beast becomes a physical manifestation of their fear, representing the unknown and the uncontrollable. As the boys' fear intensifies, they project their inner darkness onto the beast, attributing supernatural powers and abilities to it. For example, when Simon encounters the "Beast" in the form of a dead paratrooper, he realizes that the true beast resides within themselves, a realization that ultimately leads to his tragic demise. According to literary critic Harold Bloom, the beast symbolizes boys. 'the collective unconscious, their deepest fears and desires that emerge when civilization and societal norms are removed. Bloom argues that the beast is a metaphor for the human psyche, which is inherently wild and untamed. He suggests that the boys' descent into savagery and their belief in the beast reflect the dark side of human nature, the innate capacity for violence and destruction. The Beast as Loss of Innocence Another interpretation of the beast is its representation of the loss of innocence. . The boys, initially innocent and naive, gradually succumb to their primal instincts and become wild hunters. The beast, in this sense, symbolizes the corruption of their innocence and the erosion of their moral values. As the boys become more immersed in their wild rituals and violence, their belief in the beast strengthens, blurring the line between reality and imagination. Additionally, the beast also reveals the inherent evil that exists in every individual. The boys, once bound by rules and social structures, gradually abandon their civilized behavior and give in to their baser desires. As they lose their connection to civilization, the boys lose their identity and become susceptible to the influence of the beast. The beast is therefore a reflection of the boys' inner darkness, of their innate capacity for evil. The Beast as a Catalyst for Power Struggles In addition to representing fear and loss of innocence, the Beast also acts as a catalyst for power struggles between the boys. the boys. As they become more and more consumed with their belief in the beast, they begin to fight for dominance and control. Jack, in particular, exploits the boys' fear of the beast to start his own tribe, using it as a means to gain power and manipulate others. According to literary scholar Paul Crawford, the beast symbolizes the boys' desire for power and their willingness to sacrifice their morality and humanity to achieve it. Crawford argues that the beast serves as a metaphor for the destructive nature of power, which can corrupt even the most innocent and well-intentioned individuals. The obsession,.