Describe some of the symbols Golding uses to suggest the presence of evil forces on the
... However, in the Garden of Eden there is an evil presence, this is in the form of a serpent. The serpent is referred to a couple of times in the book, both times near the beginning; this could be a warning that there is evil present on the island. The serpent is referred to when Golding describes Ralph’s belt. It is made a ‘snake clasp belt’ purposely by Golding; this is because it is another symbol of evil being present. The serpent is also referred to when Golding describes the creepers; they seem to have snakelike properties and tangle along the undergrowth as a snake would. This is right at the beginning, and Ralph right away gets tangled up and this sign of evil is already showing them what it is capable of, but on a very small scale, this grows throughout the book. ... This is just one of many small indications of the presence of evil, there are many, many more. ... ’ When Simon was in the jungle and came face to face with the pig’s head (a symbol of evil), he looked into its mouth and had a glimpse of hell. This may just have been Simon going mad, but it once again shows the presence of evil.