Symbols and characters play an important role in the representation of power in literary works. Therefore, an author uses these "symbols of power" to control the characters and the overall course of the work. In Lord of the Flies the symbols are both used by the characters and stand alone. The fire on the island is a double blade and Lord of the Flies prevents progression. While these two symbols stand alone, characters use them and are used by them. Ralph leads the boys forward while Jack positions himself as his opponent, both using other symbols of power to assist them. This document will be divided into nine paragraphs including the opening paragraph and the closing paragraph. My opening paragraph will consist of a thesis sentence that sets the stage for seven main paragraphs. The first paragraph will focus on how symbolism develops a story, whether the power it holds is for good or evil. The second paragraph will be about the signal fire that overwhelms the kids on the island. The third paragraph will focus on how the fire brought hope to the kids. The fourth body of the paragraph will then focus on how the Lord of the Flies enhances the madness and hinders the island's progress. The fifth paragraph will focus on Ralph's ability to progress. The sixth body paragraph will counter this and focus on its fallibility in maintaining order. The seventh paragraph will include Jack's constant need to resist or be in charge himself. Finally the conclusion will bring everything together, focusing on how the symbols directed the course of the book, mainly the fire signal. I will also discuss the importance of the symbols that appear in the novel and how they would have been drastically different, again mainly the fire signal. In m... in the center of the card... it was avoided. However, they are present in this story and shape it through horrendous acts of violence and loss of mind. Overall, these symbols leave Lord of the Flies as a well-written story with the atrocities of man on every page. "Works Cited" - him with the mark on his face, I don't see it. Where is he now?'' (Golding 46).'“The sticks fell and the mouth of the new circle creaked and screamed. The beast was kneeling in the center, with its arms crossed over its face. He was shouting over the abominable noise, something about a body on the hill. The beast struggled forward, broke the ring, and fell from the steep edge of the rock onto the sand near the water. Immediately the crow rushed after it, poured down the rock, leaped onto the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore.'' (Golding 152-153) He gesticulated again widely: "It was an accident"' (Golding 157).