Lord of the Flies William Golding

William Golding Background Born in Cornwall, England Studied at Oxford Began his studies in science After 2 years, switched to English Literature and education Member of the British World Navy during WWII Involved in Normandy invasion Career-taught at a boy’s prep school (pre and post war) 1983-won the Nobel Prize

About the Novel Published in 1954, after being rejected by 21 publishers Golding’s influences: – Holocaust – Nazi brutality – Atrocities caused by the atomic bombs – Rise of Communism – His war experiences – Rise of technology

“Man produces evil, as a bee produces honey.”-William Golding Content of novel discusses: – The problem of evil – Reason vs. emotion – Good vs. evil – Man’s desire for power – Savagery vs. civilization

Golding’s Beliefs “It was simply what seemed sensible for me to write after the war when everyone was thanking God they weren’t Nazis. I’d seen enough to realize that every single one of us could be Nazis.” -Golding Used the book as a format for studying human nature Believed that if a man was facing a difficult situation, then he would show his other nature: HIS DARK AND GUILTY SIDE Felt there was a capacity for evil that resides within all men Golding: The novel was “an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature” – What’s wrong in society is the consequences of human choice and actions – William Golding on Lord of the Flies.wav.lbc2dh2.partial William Golding on Lord of the Flies.wav.lbc2dh2.partial

Novel Background Lord of the Flies: The literal translation means Beelzebub, which is a another name for the devil/satan Follows a group of boys stranded on an island Setting: undefined future during an atomic war – Indian or Pacific Ocean – Barrier Reef: runs along one side of the ocean – Lagoon: between the reef and the island – Orchard: provides fruit – Castle Rock: tip of the island – The Overview | Lord of the Flies | 60second Recap The Overview | Lord of the Flies | 60second Recap

Characters Ralph, 12 – Main protagonist – Elected leader after finding the conch – Common sense, strong, courageous, intelligent – Insists on responsibility Piggy – Fat, blind without his glasses, asthmatic – Becomes Ralph’s advisor

Characters (continued) Simon, 9 or 10 – Skinny – Intelligent, attune with nature – Lonely, logical, very mature for his age Jack, 12 – Antagonist – Tall, thin; leader of the Choirboys – Easily angered, cruel – Desires power Roger – Jack’s follower – Bully – Insists on responsibility

Lord of the Flies as an Allegory Allegory-a story expressing truths or generalizations about human nature through the use of symbolic characters or events Think of it as an extended metaphor Example: Avatar-Pandora woods represent Amazon rainforest (stresses ecological importance) and attempting to get the Na’vi to cooperate represents the U.S. presence in foreign countries

Main Themes Human evil Order vs. Chaos Savagery vs. Civilization Loss of innocence Power

Main Symbols Conch Lord of the Flies Piggy’s glasses Beast