Lord of the Flies Notes: Survival Simulation, Elements of Society, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Leadership Styles, Author’s Philosophical Attitudes, and LOTF Themes. English I Honors

Survival Simulation Evaluation Assess the following topics individually based on the Survival Simulation in your group yesterday: LEADERSHIP Who did you choose to be your leader and WHY? How did the choice of leadership happen – was it through a voting process, did they volunteer as tribute, did everyone else refuse to lead? Etc. Were there any problems in selecting the leader? If so, what were they? Did your leader lead your group, or was it more indicative of a democracy? How forthright was your leader in dictating the decisions and rules of the group? Were there any conflicts in regards to the decisions being made? Did anyone disagree over trading a resource, a rule or priority, or a consequence, etc? How was it handled and how did YOU feel about that? Did you feel that your voice was heard in your group? Were your needs met? Why/why not? Would you continue to follow your chosen leader if you had the choice?

Elements of Society BASIC NEEDS Common, agreed upon goals Effective leadership Common set of expectations, guidelines, and consequences that are designed to maintain safety and order Resources available to meet the needs of society members – labor, food, shelter, etc Members accept roles in the society to contribute to the success of the society, in return for protection and/or personal reward from the society Set of shared customs or rituals that emulate the values in the society

Elements of Society WHAT CAN CAUSE THE DESTRUCTION OF SOCIETY? Goals are no longer common – dispute over society’s purpose Members no longer wish to follow the common set of expectations, guidelines, and consequences – likely causing disorder Dispute over how resources should be used – shortages or unequal distribution of resources Members become dissatisfied with the roles they’re expected to fulfill Oppressive leadership OR one group seeks to oppress another group Desecration of customs or rituals Loss or order and/or safety for the members of the society

Leadership Styles AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP: when a leader exerts high levels of power over his/her followers. People within the group are given few opportunities for making suggestions, even if these would be in the group’s or organization’s interests. Often associated with Fascism, characteristics include: Most people tend to resent being treated like this. Also, the group’s output does not benefit from the creativity and experience of all team members. Worship of leader hero Blaming problems on outside forces Cult of violence Male values as central Rule by terror and army

Leadership Styles DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP: Although a democratic leader will make the final decision, he/she invites other members of the group to contribute to the decision-making process. Increases group member satisfaction by involving members in what’s going on Helps to develop people’s skills Group members feel in control of their own destiny, and so are motivated to work hard by more than just a physical reward As participation takes time, this style can lead to things happening more slowly than an autocratic approach, but often the end result is better It can be more suitable when team-working is essential, and quality is more important than speed

Psychology in Literature MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

Psychology in Literature MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Derived from his 1943 paper entitled "A Theory of Human Motivation“ According to Maslow, all humans have a hierarchy of needs. The most basic of needs must be met before humans may progress to the upper levels of psychological development and growth. Consider this in context of survival and the creation of your “governments.”

Author’s Philosophical Attitudes William Golding Believed each individual must acknowledge his/her connection to all people. Humanity’s problems stem from a lack of awareness of this truth. People remain trapped inside themselves, too self-absorbed to look at the world around them. Only if people are able to see themselves as part of a whole, not as islands, will they find salvation.

Author’s Philosophical Attitudes Golding believes that humans’ intelligence will help them to make this necessary connection: one cannot change basic human nature, but can recognize and understand it. In doing so, individuals can willfully choose to suppress the savagery beneath their humanity.

Author’s Philosophical Attitudes Golding received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 (Lord of the Flies was published in 1954). “In all the books, I have suggested a shape in the universe that may, as it were, account for things. The greatest pleasure is… just understanding. And if you can get people to understand their own humanity—well, that’s the job of the writer.”

Author’s Philosophical Attitudes Golding’s active participation in WWII as an officer in the Royal Navy influenced Lord of the Flies. Witnessed “man’s inhumanity to man” in the war and he became aware of the harm people were capable of doing to each other. Golding’s characters in LOTF are allegorical symbols of the various facets of humankind, and his story is a symbolic depiction of our continuing, and often fruitless, efforts to achieve civilization.

LOTF Overview Setting: During WWII, while leaving Britain for safety from atomic warfare, the plane filled with 24 boys crashes on an island. Important for 2 reasons: Since it’s warfare, finding the boys is not top priority The island, since it’s removed from the rest of society, accelerates the boys’ descent into savagery. The “gloss” of civilization is not present to keep them from giving in to the darker side of their natures.

Theme of Lord of the Flies – Civilization vs. Savagery Civilization – are humans really civilized? Message – a society’s defects stem from the defects that are inherent in human nature. “The beast within” “The shape of a society must depend on the ethical nature of the individual and not on any political system, however apparently logical or respectable.” The boys try to model a “logical” and “respectable” system, but it malfunctions. Replaced by a system built upon personal gratification, intimidation, and terror.

Theme of Lord of the Flies – Civilization vs. Savagery We are taught to live by the rules, follow commands, and value the goodness of others. This is a struggle as our darker side would prefer to live in an environment where we can satisfy our immediate desires, act cruelly towards others, and acquire power regardless of who might be hurt along the way. Need for civilization + Loss of innocence = Civilization vs. savagery