Lord of the Flies William Golding

What is the “Lord of the Flies”? The Pig’s head is dubbed the Lord of the Flies. It is offered as a sacrifice to the beast The head speaks to Simon at one point This is when Simon realizes that the beast isn’t really a creature on the island, but evil that lurks in all of us. The LOTF is kind of like the devil – always there to tempt. He actually taunts Simon and warns him that “they’ll have fun” foreshadowing his death. The demon Beelzebub’s name translated into English is Lord of the Flies. He is supposed to be one of the worst demons if not Satan himself.

Allegory A story that represents abstract ideas about the world. A story that can be interpreted to have a deeper meaning. The allegory of LOTF is that we learn that without the restraints of civilization, we/humans are capable of doing horrific things. Human natures causes us to act like savages when restraints are removed.

Symbols: A thing that represents something else Symbols: A thing that represents something else. For example: Cross = Christianity The island itself – a microcosm (miniature version) of the real world The glasses – knowledge/reason and power of SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT (Piggy has them) & power over others when Jack has them The conch – order, civilization, rules. When it’s crushed – so is order. The beast - our capacity for evil ~ differs for each boy The signal fire - this fire helps us determine how aware the boys are of their savagery or civility. When it goes out its b/c they are ignoring the need of keeping it alive to be saved.

Other ideas to discuss: The Masks or Face Paint – allows boys to ignore who they are. They do not have shame when they wear their face paint because it’s “not really them”. All of the boys EXCEPT Simon get caught up in the savagery at one point or another. The difference is that Piggy, Ralph, and Samneric feel great shame after being involved – even on the outskirts of- the tribal dance.

Quotes: “Grownups know things… they ain’t afraid of the dark. They’d meet and have tea and discuss. Then things ‘ud be all right-” - Piggy “It was an accident…that’s what it was. An accident…Coming in the dark-he hadn’t no business crawling like that out of the dark. He was batty. He asked for it.” - Piggy

The BEAST “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?” – the Lord of the Flies speaking to Simon “Maybe… there is a beast. What I mean is… maybe it’s only us.” – Simon

ROGER “He gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw.” – regarding Roger “Roger sharpened a stick at both ends” – Samneric talking to Ralph

End of the Novel Quotes “The officer looked at Ralph doubtfully for a moment, then took his hand away from the butt of the revolver. ‘Hullo’ Squirming a little, conscious of his filthy appearance, Ralph answered shyly. ~ Ralph feels shame and embarrassment to look as he does in front of the adult/civilized man. “Who’s boss here?” “I am,” said Ralph loudly. A little boy who wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair and how carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still. ~ Seeing Jack for the small boy he really is. “Jolly good show. Like the Coral Island” Allusion to a different novel where there is a shipwreck & the boys that survived have wild, but not horrific adventures. (Fight /befriend pirates… and then make it safely home)

“I should have thought,” said the officer as he visualized the search before him, “I should have thought that a pack of British boys – you’re all British, aren’t you? – would have been able to put up a better show than that – I mean – “ ~ The officer speaking about what he is seeing and is shocked to find on the island. “He wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of a true, wise friend called Piggy.” - Regarding Ralph “The officer, surrounded by these noises, was moved and little embarrassed. He turned away to give them time to pull themselves together; and waited, allowing his eyes to rest on the trim cruiser in the distance.” ~ he is uncomfortable around this blatant display of emotion and shame.

Questions ??? .