Lord of the Flies Review

Main Characters Ralph Piggy leader, responsible, common sense orderly, intelligent, logical, rational, vulnerable Jack Simon arrogant, dictatorialintuitive, diffident, altruistic antagonistic, unsympathetic spiritual, good-hearted RogerSam and Eric sadistic, savage, “delirious abandonment” unity and break-up of man, loyalty and betrayal Faces of Man “There was the throb and stamp of a single organism.” (p. 152)

Setting Island as Microcosm Twentieth century wartime

Plot Diagram Exposition – background info. that had occurred before the beginning Examples: British school boys evacuated in plane; plane attacked and crashed on island Rising Action/Conflict – struggle between opposing forces is established and intensified Example: Ralph (order) vs. Jack (chaos) Climax – moment that determines how the conflict will be resolved. Example: brutal killing of sow; conversation between Simon and the Lord of the Flies Falling Action - any event between climax and resolution Examples: Simon’s death, Jack steals glasses, Piggy’s death Resolution- the altering of the conflict Examples: Ralph is chased, boys are rescued by naval officer, and Ralph cries Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Symbols Conch shell Fire Beast Glasses Huts Sand Castles Painted Faces Littluns

Quotes “What I mean is... maybe it’s only us.” –Simon; during Ralph’s meeting; Theme: Evil in every man “Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill. You knew didn’t you? I’m part of you.” –the Lord of the Flies, shouting at Simon; climax, reinforcing theme, foreshadowing Simon’s death; SYMBOL OF DEVIL “And the conch doesn’t count at this end of the island.” –Jack; during his party; symbolizes the disrespect of order on the island “Which is better - to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?” –Piggy; his last words; the central conflict of the novel; in a savage society violence defeats order “He came disguised. He may come again. So watch and be careful.” –Jack; after Simon’s death; irony and Jack’s use of fear to control

More Quotes “It was an accident... he had no business crawling out of the dark. He was batty. He asked for it.” –Piggy; after Simon’s death; relieving his guilt and showing even intelligent people can be savage “We saw your smoke. What have you been doing? Having a war or something?” –Naval Officer; at the end of novel as Ralph is chased to beach; double ironies “Look at us! How many are we? And yet we can’t keep a fire going to make smoke. Don’t you understand? Can’t you see we ought to – ought to die before we let the fire out?” –Ralph; during Ralph’s meeting; tone of speech shows Ralph’s frustration “Don’t you understand, Piggy? The things we did – “ –Ralph; after Simon’s death; taking responsibility for his involvement, realizes they’ve become savages “If there is a beast, we’ll hunt it down.” –Jack; upon first hearing of a beastie; shows Jack’s intimidating lust for power

Themes – What is Golding trying to teach us about each? Good vs. Evil Survival Brutality Social Codes