Answer:
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Claim: The parachutist in Lord of the Flies symbolizes the adult world and the idea of rescue, but it is mistaken for the beast due to the boys' fear and superstition, making it a symbol of the boys' descent into savagery.
Evidence: In chapter 6, as the boys are gathered for a meeting, they spot something descending from the sky and assume it to be the beast. The narrator states, "The parachute took the figure forward, furrowing the lagoon, and bumped it over the reef and out to sea. […] The thing was a human being" (Golding, 96). Later, as they inspect the dead parachutist, they realize their mistake: "He became absorbed beyond mere happiness as he felt himself exercising control over living things. He talked to them, urging them, ordering them. Driven back by the tide, his footprints became bays in which they were trapped and gave him the illusion of mastery" (Golding, 105).
Reasoning: The parachutist's descent represents the arrival of the adult world, which the boys hope will rescue them from the island. However, their fear and superstition cause them to mistake it for the beast, highlighting their descent into savagery and their loss of rationality. The boys' reaction to the parachutist also reveals their desire for power and control over their environment, as they begin to see themselves as capable of mastering even human beings. Thus, the parachutist serves as a symbol of the boys' gradual descent into savagery and their inability to recognize the reality of their situation.
Conclusion: The parachutist in Lord of the Flies is a complex symbol that represents the boys' hopes for rescue, their fears and superstitions, and their descent into savagery. Its mistaken identity as the beast underscores the boys' loss of rationality and their inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy, while its role in fueling their desire for power and control underscores their growing savagery. Overall, the parachutist serves as a powerful symbol of the novel's themes of civilization, human nature, and the dangers of unchecked power.