Quotes About Face Paint In Lord Of The Flies
The Symbolism of Face Paint in Lord of the Flies
One of the most striking symbols in William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, is the face paint worn by some of the boys. At first, the paint is used to camouflage the boys as they hunt pigs on the island. However, as the story progresses, the face paint takes on a more sinister meaning, representing the boys' descent into savagery and their loss of civilization.
"We'll Paint Our Faces So They Can't See Us"
The first mention of face paint in Lord of the Flies comes from Ralph, one of the main characters. As the boys explore the island and search for food, they come across a group of pigs. Ralph suggests that they use the paint to disguise themselves so that the pigs won't see them coming. This use of face paint seems innocent enough, but it foreshadows the boys' eventual transformation into hunters and killers.
"He Capers...And You Keep Away From The Beast"
As the boys become more savage, they begin to use the face paint for more sinister purposes. In one scene, Jack, the leader of the hunters, wears the paint as he performs a wild dance around a fire. The dance is meant to intimidate the other boys and show off his power. However, it also foreshadows the violence and chaos that will soon consume the island.
"The Mask Was A Thing On Its Own, Behind Which Jack Hid"
As the story progresses, the face paint becomes more than just a symbol of savagery. It becomes a mask that the boys wear, allowing them to hide their true selves and embrace their inner demons. This is especially true of Jack, who becomes increasingly tyrannical as he gains more power over the other boys. With his painted face, he is able to hide his true feelings and manipulate the others to do his bidding.
"The Savage...Compelled Them To Follow Him"
In the final chapters of the book, the face paint takes on an even more sinister meaning. As the boys' society crumbles and they become more violent, the paint becomes a symbol of their allegiance to Jack and his savage tribe. Those who refuse to wear the paint are seen as outsiders and are punished accordingly. In this way, the face paint represents the boys' loss of morality and their embrace of chaos and violence.
Conclusion
The face paint in Lord of the Flies is a powerful symbol that represents the boys' descent into savagery and their loss of civilization. From an innocent camouflage tool to a mask that allows the boys to hide their true selves, the paint takes on a variety of meanings throughout the book. Ultimately, it becomes a symbol of the boys' allegiance to Jack and his savage tribe, representing their complete abandonment of morality and their embrace of violence and chaos.