Lord of the Flies By: Sir William Gerald Golding First published in 1954
About the Author… ► William Golding was born in Cornwall, England in ► He died in ► He wrote pieces that comment on the human condition. (Why people behave the way they do.) ► He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983.
More about Golding… ►G►Golding joined England’s Royal Navy and served in World War II. ►I►It was the time he spent involved in the war that led him to begin to question humanity and its evils.
About the Novel… ► “A group of schoolboys trapped on an island gradually become savages.” ► Lord of the Flies is an engaging adventure story, but it also comments on many aspects of human life through symbols used by the author.
Point of View… ► Lord of the Flies is told in the omniscient point of view. ► The narrator is “all- knowing” and tells of the events as they unfold.
The Setting… ► After being evacuated during an atomic war, the boys in the novel crash land on a tropical island. They are thought to be somewhere in the Pacific or Indian Ocean. ► The events of the novel take place on this island, as the boys are stuck there in hopes of being rescued.
The Plot… ► A group of English schoolboys are trapped on an island after their plane crashes. ► There are no adults, and the boys are left to protect themselves and survive alone on the island.
Plot continued… ►A►A►A►At first the boys are excited that they are free to do as they please without any adults; however, they soon begin to realize that maintaining a civilized society is more difficult than they originally thought.
Complications… ► Although the boys establish rules and elect a leader, it is not enough. ► Conflict occurs when a few boys begin to make their own decisions.
Ralph… ►R►R►R►Ralph – He is 12 and is elected leader after he finds the conch. He wants the boys to be responsible to the group; his main focus is being rescued. ►C►C►C►Common sense ►C►C►C►Courage ►I►I►I►Intelligent
Jack… ► Jack – Jack is 12 and is the leader of a group of choirboys. Although he is timid in the beginning, he is able to undermine Ralph’s power and lead many of the boys to savagery. ► Easily angered and cruel
Characters… ► Piggy – He is bigger than the other boys and often becomes the focus of their cruel jokes. He is a thinker and becomes Ralph’s advisor. ► Simon – He is 9 or 10 but mature for his age. He recognizes the difference between right and wrong.
THEMES ► Human Evil – Evil is a part of human nature, and it lies within us. It is not a force of civilization. Society’s welfare depends on man’s idea of right and wrong, not on outside forces. ► Savagery – Golding believes that humans, when forced to live in nature, revert to savagery. ► Loss of Innocence – The boys, young and innocent at the time they arrive on the island, are forced to deal with situations that are normally associated with adult life. As a result, many of the boys lose the innocence that comes as a part of childhood.
SYMBOLS ► Conch shell – Large shell that has two main uses – 1.Calls the group together 2.To speak during the meeting, you must have the shell. Symbol for power and civilization ► Lord of the Flies – Represents evil and the capacity for evil that lies in all of us. ► Piggy’s Glasses – Intellect and reason – they represent Piggy’s position as a thinker. ► Hunting Mask – Represent the boys’ savagery and the loss of civilized ways. ► Boat – The island is shaped like a boat and appears to drift backwards. This corresponds with the boys’ turn from civilized ways.
Before Reading Question… ► Describe a world free of adults. Would children and young adults have what it takes to create and maintain a civilized society? Explain your answer.