Imagine a world where the smallest glimmer of hope resides in a pair of glasses. In William Golding's iconic novel Lord of the Flies, Piggy's glasses serve as a powerful symbol, representing not only the boys' dependence on technology, but also the fragility of civilization. Through Piggy's glasses, Golding explores themes of power, knowledge and the inevitable descent into savagery. This essay will delve deeper into the symbolic meaning of Piggy's glasses, analyzing their role as a tool for survival, a source of insight, and a reflection of the boys' growing detachment from civilization. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Throughout the novel, Piggy's glasses play a central role in the boys' survival on the desert island. The only way to light a fire, glasses become a symbol of hope and rescue. Without the fire, the boys would have little chance of attracting the attention of passing ships or planes. Golding highlights this importance when he writes, “Piggy searched his mind for words to express his passionate desire to carry the conch against all odds” (Golding 45). Here, the glasses, represented by Piggy's passionate will, become a symbol of the boys' determination to be saved and to maintain a sense of civilization in their lives. The glasses therefore symbolize the boys' dependence on technology and their desperate quest for survival. Although the glasses serve as a survival tool, they also give the boys a unique perspective on their surroundings. Piggy, being the only character to have glasses, has a clearer vision of reality. This is evident when he exclaims, “How can you expect to be saved if you don’t put priorities first and do the right thing?” (Golding 45). Here, Piggy's glasses symbolize the clarity of thought and rationality essential to maintaining a civilized society. Boys, on the other hand, are blinded by their primal instincts and desire for power. The contrast between Piggy's clairvoyance and the boys' blurred vision highlights the symbolic significance of glasses as a source of insight into the true nature of humanity. As the story unfolds, the boys become more and more detached from the rules and order of civilization. This detachment is symbolized by the treatment of Piggy's glasses. At first, the boys handle the glasses with care, recognizing their importance for survival. However, as their descent into savagery progresses, they begin to ignore Piggy's pleas to handle his glasses delicately. Golding writes: “Piggy, for all his ridiculous body, had a brain. Ralph was now an expert on thought and could recognize thought in another” (Golding 71). Here, the mistreatment of Piggy's glasses reflects the boys' gradual detachment from the rationality and intellect that define civilization. The glasses, once a symbol of hope and order, now represent the disintegration of the boys' morality and their abandonment to their primal instincts. In conclusion, Piggy's glasses in Lord of the Flies symbolize the fragility of civilization. They serve as a survival tool, providing the boys with the means to be rescued and maintain a sense of order. Additionally, the glasses offer insight into the true nature of humanity, contrasting with Piggy's clarity of thought and the boys' blurred vision. Finally, the treatment of glasses, 1954.