Throughout the first three chapters setting is used to establish the overall plot of the book. Setting is literally what creates the situation that the children are facing as well as preparing for, and symbolizing many of the reoccurring themes within the story. Golding’s use of imagery greatly contributes to the overall feel of the setting and the novel.
The setting establishes a sense of hopelessness in the children during the first few chapters that will continue throughout the book, at first the children feel the need to search the island looking for a means of escape. When they discover that they are in fact on an island some of the children immediately give up and spend their days “lounging around”(Golding 51). However, some of the characters like Ralph, Simon, and Jack begin to work at “creating shelter”(50) and “hunting”(49) for food. In this way the main characters are firmly established.
Certain objects in the setting begin to symbolize certain themes within the story. On the first page the crash site is referred to as a “scar in the jungle”(Golding 1), and the undergrowth is described as being “creep[y]”(1). When the children reach the beach they notice beautiful “coral reef[s]”(4) and palatial lagoons. The contrasting imagery establishes the theme of fear in the unknown. When Ralph discovers the conch and sounds it for the first time the children are drawn to it. Later on in the novel, it is decided that only the person with the conch in their hands may speak; immediately associating the conch with leadership. Finally, the grassy platform becomes a symbol for safety as the children begin to explore the island. While on the platform the character Piggy is “not interrupted”(31), however off of the platform Jack and the rest of the children “fiercely”(42) tell “shut up”(42). The idea of safety in the platform is also demonstrated when the young ones run to it as a place of refuge when they say the saw a monster.
It should be interesting to see how these early setting themes will impact the outcome of the novel.
