Lord of the Flies 1954 Introduction and Background

“Beelzebub” a Hebrew word for LUCIFER. However, the literal translation of “Beelzebub” into English is LORD OF THE FLIES. Title Translation

About the Author William Golding William Golding Born in Britain Born in Britain

In the decade before LOTF was published, Britain had been involved in two wars: Korean War Korean War WWII WWII

As a child, Golding had witnessed WWI, which was referred to as “the war to end all wars” HOWEVER,22 years later Britain was again involved in ANOTHER WAR to end all wars, which caused more devastation than was imaginable

On War “When I was young, before the war, I did have some airy-fairy views about man.... But I went through the war and that changed me. The war taught me different and a lot of others like me" ~Golding told Douglas A. Davis in the New Republic.

Setting In the setting for Lord of the Flies, Golding has created his own "Coral Island"—an allusion, or literary reference, to a book of that name by R. M. Ballantyne.In the setting for Lord of the Flies, Golding has created his own "Coral Island"—an allusion, or literary reference, to a book of that name by R. M. Ballantyne. Using the same scenario of boys being abandoned on a tropical island, The Coral Island (1857) is a classic boys' romantic adventure story, in which everyone has a great time and nobody dies or ends up unhappy.Using the same scenario of boys being abandoned on a tropical island, The Coral Island (1857) is a classic boys' romantic adventure story, in which everyone has a great time and nobody dies or ends up unhappy. Golding, however, has quite different ideas, and he has used the setting in his story to reinforce his themes and symbols.Golding, however, has quite different ideas, and he has used the setting in his story to reinforce his themes and symbols. Yes, the island can be a wonderful place, as the littluns discover by day when they are bathing in the lagoon pool or eating fruit from the trees. But at night the same beach can be the setting for nightmares, as some boys fancy that they see "snake-things" in the trees.Yes, the island can be a wonderful place, as the littluns discover by day when they are bathing in the lagoon pool or eating fruit from the trees. But at night the same beach can be the setting for nightmares, as some boys fancy that they see "snake-things" in the trees.

Through Lord of the Flies, Golding is making the statement that we cannot escape our savage, violent tendencies…

…and without social order, we devolve into a state of chaos

Lord of the Flies “It was simply what seemed sensible for me to write after the war when everyone was thanking God they weren’t Nazi’s. I’d seen enough to realize that every single one of us could be Nazi’s.” ~Golding on Lord of the Flies

Golding’s Fiction AllegoricalAllegorical Yes, there’s a basic story: but there’s much more to it than what meets the eyeYes, there’s a basic story: but there’s much more to it than what meets the eye Pay attention as you read: what life lessons could this novel be teaching?Pay attention as you read: what life lessons could this novel be teaching? Allusions toAllusions to Classical literatureClassical literature MythologyMythology Christian SymbolismChristian Symbolism

About the Novel Set in mid 1940’s when Europe engulfed in war.Set in mid 1940’s when Europe engulfed in war. A plane carrying British school boys is mistaken for a military craft and shot down.A plane carrying British school boys is mistaken for a military craft and shot down. Only the boys survive the crash, and try to form a society and govern themselves.Only the boys survive the crash, and try to form a society and govern themselves.

Themes in the Novel Civilization vs. SavageryCivilization vs. Savagery Loss of InnocenceLoss of Innocence Original SinOriginal Sin Fear that separates one from GodFear that separates one from God Nature of Good and EvilNature of Good and Evil Goodness is rare and fleetingGoodness is rare and fleeting

Theme The main theme (according to Golding): “A desire to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature.” Thoughts about this? What does it mean?

Golding’s LOTF Introduction