Lord of the Flies An introduction…

Factsheet… Author: William Golding Title: Lord of the Flies Where written: England When published: 1954 Literary period: post-war fiction Genre: allegorical novel

Extra Credit Fact (FYI)… The phrase, “Lord of the Flies” is a translation of the Greek “Beelzebub,” a devil mentioned in the new Testament. In the Bible, Beelzebub sometimes seems to be Satan himself, and at other times seems to be Satan’s most powerful lieutenant.

Characters NOTE: Lord of the Flies is an allegory, a literary genre in which characters symbolize abstract ideas. The characters that will be listed in this presentation will be described and (if applicable) what they symbolize will be stated. The terms “biguns” and “littleuns” refer to the older and younger boys on the island. All of the main characters are “biguns.” Only a few “littleuns,” about age 10 and younger, appear as characters in the novel.

RALPH – ~largest, most physically powerful boy on the island ~shows no signs of wanting to dominate others ~preoccupied with being rescued ~plans and follows rules ~prioritizes needs of group above his own ~hunts and kills, but suppresses his own savage feelings **Symbolizes: law, government, and civil society

PIGGY – ~smartest boy on the island ~weakest of the “biguns” due to his weight and asthma ~believes passionately in civilization, law, and reasoning ~cravings for food interfere with his ability to work ~condescending to others, and is often singled out and ridiculed as a result **Symbolizes: science and rationality

JACK – ~the head boy of his chorus back in civilization ~becomes leader of the hunters ~LOVES POWER ~uses laws as a way to punish others ~loves to hunt and kill ~gets angry when he doesn’t get his way **Symbolizes: the human love of dominance and power

SIMON – ~dreamy, dark-haired boy ~prone to fainting spells and occasional fits ~most generous of the “biguns” ~most insightful ~recognizes “beast” within ~suggests the boys confront the “beast” **Symbolizes: mystics, prophets, and priests of all religions who confront and reveal the darkest aspects of human nature

Roger ~quiet, brooding member of Jack’s chorus ~quiet at first, but then he reveals his nature ~Roger loves to cause pain to others *Symbolizes: the suppressed desire to hurt others, anger, violence

The Lord of the Flies ~the pig head that Jack’s hunters stake into the ground and leave as an offering to the beast ~Simon recognizes the Lord of the Flies for what it symbolizes *Symbolizes: the evil in all men’s souls

Samneric ~identical twins ~they so closely resemble each other that the other boys use just one name to refer to both of them ~not as influenced by fear of the beast or Jack

THEMES AND IDEAS Human Nature Civilization Savagery and the “Beast” Spirituality and Religion The Weak and the Strong

SYMBOLS The Island ~symbolizes: The Garden of Eden in which the boys can create the perfect society from scratch

The Lord of the Flies (The Beast) Symbolizes: the evil that lies within every person

The Conch Shell Symbolizes: the rule of law and civilization

Piggy’s glasses Symbolizes: science and technology. **allows the boys to create fire, the first necessity of civilization

Fire Symbolizes: like the glasses, fire represents technology ~it is also a technology that threatens destruction if it gets out of control ~also symbolizes the boys’ connections to human civilization – signal fire gives hope of rescue

Adults Symbolize: civilization and social order **However, the adult “civilization” outside of the island is as savage as the“civilization” on the island

The Scar (A rip in the forest caused by the crash landing of the plane) Symbolizes: man, and his savage nature, destroys paradise merely by entering it

The Ocean Symbolizes: the unconscious, the thoughts and desires buried deep within all humans