Introduction and Background Lord of the Flies 1954 Introduction and Background

Title Translation LORD OF THE FLIES is the English translation of the biblical name“Beelzebub” “Beelzebub” is the Hebrew word for a powerful demon in hell, sometimes thought to be LUCIFER himself

Author of Lord of the Flies Born in Britain 1911-1993 William Golding Author of Lord of the Flies Born in Britain 1911-1993

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

As a child, Golding had witnessed WWI, which was referred to as “the war to end all wars” Then, WWII hit Europe in the 1930s Then, 22 years later, Britain was again involved in ANOTHER WAR (Korean War)

Through LOTF, Golding is making the statement that we cannot escape our savage, violent tendencies… “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.” ~William Golding on his novel Lord of the Flies

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

LOTF…Some Important Symbols (Objects, characters, figures, or colors that represent ideas or concepts) Piggy’s Glasses Conch Shell The Beast Lord of the Flies

LOTF… Important Symbols Continued Hunting Signal fire Roger Clothing Littluns Island Ralph’s hair Jack Piggy Simon

TERMS to consider Microcosm = A small world that represents the world at large Edenic = Eden like, paradise like, a setting that has not yet been spoiled by man

Essential Questions What does it mean to be civilized? How do we determine who is civilized and who is not? How does a society maintain order? Are laws necessary? How do human beings behave when we are afraid? Are humans innately good or innately evil? Is there something inside of us propelling us to be either good or evil?

What is an ALLEGORY? A form of extended metaphor in which objects, people, and actions are connected to meanings outside of the story The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance Example: Parables The Narnia Series Alice in Wonderland Lord of the Rings

Major Themes in LOTF Darkness of the heart is an innate human trait. Anarchy and savagery are direct results of man’s inability to follow society’s set rules. Our morals are a direct result of our surroundings – if our environment fails, our morals fail, and the human race/civilization ultimately fails. People are often judged and treated unfairly in society.

Name Meanings Ralph = Anglo-Saxon word meaning, “council” Piggy = vulnerability comparable to vulnerability of pigs on the island; how much the other boys dislike him because of his intelligence (pigs = smart) Jack = Hebrew word, “Yakov,” meaning “one who deceives” or “one who takes over” Simon = Hebrew word, “one who listens,” “one who observes,” was one of Christ’s disciples Roger = “famous with the spear” Satan = Greek name translated to = Beelzebub = translated to “Lord of the Flies” (the pig’s head surrounded by flies)

Lagoon

Reef

Conch Shell

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs