William Golding

Lord of the Flies Listed as one of the 100 best novels written between 1923-2005. Continues to be studied at the high school and university levels because of its enduring themes about human nature and society. Lord of the Flies was rejected by 21 publishers before Faber and Faber agreed to publish it in 1954 Golding was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 and knighted in 1988.

William Golding: Born September 1911 in Cornwall, England Attended Oxford, studying English and Natural Science Enlisted in the British Navy for World War II He lost the belief that humans, including children, were of an innocent nature, after witnessing the evils of war. this was the main inspiration for Lord of the Flies “In war we became…morally and inevitable coarsened. After it we saw, little by little, what man could do to man.”

Consider the following: Golding’s novel concerns itself with HUMAN NATURE. Consider the following ideas as you read: Morality vs immorality Rational vs. emotional Democracy vs. dictatorship Individual vs. common good Chaos vs. order Civilization vs. will to power Thinkers vs. followers

Consider as well: Golding’s use of literary techniques: symbol, mood, foreshadowing, pathetic fallacy, and repetition, as well as plot, character, setting, conflict, irony, etc. Nothing is without meaning!

During this unit: YOU MUST KEEP UP WITH THE READING. Reading and Comprehension Questions: ongoing Group discussions and activities: ongoing Character Monologue: week of March 3rd – 17th Island Newspaper Task: week of March 24th-April 4th Literary Essay: week of April 7th – April 17th PS: YOU MUST KEEP UP WITH THE READING.

Beelzebub =Translates as “Lord of the Flies” Originates from the ancient city of Ba’al, an ancient Semitic deity (worshipping false idols), and in the Bible, a demon/one of the Princes of Hell. Has been used to symbolize the deadly sins (pride, gluttony…) as well as a warning about worshipping false gods.