| aimia_m_essaywrite_request | Write an essay |
| What topic | a) With reference to the ways Golding presents Piggy, show how far you agree that Piggy is a powerless victim. |
| Which subject | English |
| What age group | College |
| How many pages | 3 |
| Add references | |
| Any other preferences |
In William Golding’s "Lord of the Flies," the character of Piggy is presented as a powerless victim throughout the novel. Piggy is a symbol of intelligence, reason and science, but is constantly oppressed by the other boys on the island. This essay aims to explore the ways that Golding presents Piggy and to what extent he is a powerless victim.
From the outset, Piggy is symbolic of intelligence and scientific reasoning, being nicknamed "Piggy" due to his asthma. He is often seen carrying a pair of spectacles, symbolizing the intellectual and visionary nature he exhibits. Despite his obvious intelligence, Piggy is often underestimated and belittled by the other boys, who fail to acknowledge his suggestions and belittle his views.
The other boys on the island continually bully, ostracize and undermine Piggy throughout the novel. His weight, glasses, and asthma make him an easy target for physical violence, and he is often scapegoated for their failures. Piggy's attempts to reason with the boys are met with contempt, and he is often met with verbal abuse.
Piggy's exclusion from the boys' social hierarchy exemplifies his powerlessness. Despite his intellectual capability, he is excluded from the decision-making process and is often ignored in group discussions. He is isolated and left alone, only keeping Ralph's company. His exclusion is borne out of fear and a lack of understanding by the boys, perpetuating the notion that intelligence and science are undesirable traits.
Piggy is a powerless victim, oppressed, and bullied by the other boys. Despite his intelligence and reason, he continues to be a target for their abuse, which symbolizes the lack of importance the boys place on rational thinking. Golding effectively presents Piggy as an intellectual, isolated from his fellow characters, and his character serves as a representation of the fragility of reason and civilization. Piggy's powerlessness reveals the true nature of humanity and our innate desire to dominate and oppress others who are different. Hence, the character of Piggy is an essential element of Golding's critique of human morality.