Describe the symbolic significance of the Beast in the novel 'Lord of the Flies'.

The Beast in The Lord of the Flies
represents the boy's fear.

The adult-less island is unknown
and the boys fear the unknown.  Coming from England, they have no experiences with what
they find on the island.  In the fire light and in the dark, ordinary things take on new
and mysterious forms.

As children, we fear the dark because
it hides, in our childlike minds, all the monsters that disappear in the light of
day.

Whether he recognises this or not, Jack gets the upper
hand.  He appeals to the boy's fears and uses this to control
them.

Ralph and Piggy understand that the beast exists in
their minds but are unable to get the others to
understand.

The boys give into these fears, offering
sacrifices to the "Beast".  They believe that if they give the Beast sacrifices, that
the Beast will not harm them.  At first they sacrifice the head of the wild boar but
eventually Simon and Piggy are sacrificed.  Ralph would also be the next victim if Jack
and his tribe have their way.

For each boy the Beast is
different.  It is whatever they fear the most.