literary terms
Giving human qualities, emotions, or behaviors to non-human things, such as objects or animals.
personification
An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or comedic effect. (e.g., "I have a million things to do today.")
Hyperbole
Represents civilization, order, and democracy. The right to hold the shell grants the right to speak. As the boys descend into savagery, the shell loses its power and is ultimately shattered, symbolizing the total destruction of democratic order.
The Conch Shell
A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness
Malaise
A foul smell, unpleasant atmosphere, or something believed to cause disease.
Miasma
A comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as".
Simile
The repetition of initial consonant sounds in words that are close together.
Alliteration
Symbolize science, intellect, and rational thought. They are crucial for survival because they are used to start the signal fire. When the glasses are stolen and broken, it represents the loss of reason and moral clarity.
Piggy’s Glasses
Having a fear of, dislike of, or prejudice against people from other countries or cultures.
Xenophobic
Showing little or no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
Apathetic
An implied comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as".
Metaphor
The poet's or speaker's attitude toward the subject of the poem.
Tone
Represents the boys' connection to civilization and their hope for rescue. When the fire goes out, it marks their abandonment of moral restraint and desire to return to society.
The Signal Fire
Friendly, cheerful, and enjoyable; good for socializing.
Convivial
Focused on seeking pleasure and self-indulgence.
Hedonistic
The use of vivid, descriptive language that appeals to the reader's five senses.
Imagery
A four-line stanza, which is highly common in traditional rhyming poetry.
Quatrain
A severed pig’s head impaled on a stick by Jack’s hunters, offered as a sacrifice to the "beast". The title translates to "Beelzebub" (another name for Satan) and represents the physical manifestation of evil, the power of decay, and the inherent darkness within human nature.
The Lord of the Flies
Extremely unpleasant, offensive, or disgusting.
Repugnant
Burned and blackened by fire or heat.
Charred
Hints or clues provided by the author early in the story to suggest what will happen later.
Foreshadowing
The emotional, cultural, or social meaning tied to a word, rather than its literal definition
Connotation
the primal instinct of savagery, evil, and darkness that exists within all human beings.
The beast
Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous.
Intermittent
The power to make choices or act by one's own will.
Volition