1. Lord of The Flies

2. Author – William Golding Born Sept. 19 th, 1911 Born Sept. 19 th, 1911 Died June 19 th, 1993 Died June 19 th, 1993 Joined the British Royal Navy in 1940. Serving during WWII, Golding was involved in an attack on a German Battleship. He also participated in the D- Day invasion in which he commanded a landing ship that fired rockets toward the enemy Joined the British Royal Navy in 1940. Serving during WWII, Golding was involved in an attack on a German Battleship. He also participated in the D- Day invasion in which he commanded a landing ship that fired rockets toward the enemy Published his first novel Lord of the Flies in 1954 Published his first novel Lord of the Flies in 1954 Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 Was knighted in 1988 Was knighted in 1988

3. The Title The term “lord of the flies” is a reference to the Hebrew name “Beelzebub” (Ba’al-zvuv, “god of the fly,” “host of the fly,” or literally “Lord of the flies”). The term “lord of the flies” is a reference to the Hebrew name “Beelzebub” (Ba’al-zvuv, “god of the fly,” “host of the fly,” or literally “Lord of the flies”). In the Bible, Beelzebub refers to the prince of the devils. In the Bible, Beelzebub refers to the prince of the devils. Milton gave the name to one of the fallen angels, next to Satan in power (Paradise Lost) Milton gave the name to one of the fallen angels, next to Satan in power (Paradise Lost)

4. Historical Info - Setting Remember, setting involves not only time and place, but also political and social climate Remember, setting involves not only time and place, but also political and social climate Meaning, what was going on in the world (both of the story and of the author) at the time has a great impact on the story itself Meaning, what was going on in the world (both of the story and of the author) at the time has a great impact on the story itself Lord of the Flies was written in the aftermath of WWII, when the first atomic bomb was used in warfare. Lord of the Flies was written in the aftermath of WWII, when the first atomic bomb was used in warfare. Golding’s participation in the death and destruction brought about by WWII made him question the nature of man and whether we are inherently good or evil Golding’s participation in the death and destruction brought about by WWII made him question the nature of man and whether we are inherently good or evil

5. Lord of the Flies Allegorical novel that follows a group of young British school boys marooned on a deserted island in the South Pacific. Allegorical novel that follows a group of young British school boys marooned on a deserted island in the South Pacific. Themes to consider while reading: Themes to consider while reading: Human nature has a tragic flaw Human nature has a tragic flaw War/Violence is Destructive War/Violence is Destructive The nature of Society/Civilization is tenuous and fragile The nature of Society/Civilization is tenuous and fragile

6. Archetypical Symbols A symbol is when one thing in a story represents something deeper than the literal thing (object, event, character, etc.) itself. A symbol is when one thing in a story represents something deeper than the literal thing (object, event, character, etc.) itself. In order to help you get the most out of your reading, I will tell you when you should be on the look out for certain symbols used throughout the novel. In order to help you get the most out of your reading, I will tell you when you should be on the look out for certain symbols used throughout the novel. BUT, here comes the hard part – I won’t tell you what they mean. Why? Because I can’t… BUT, here comes the hard part – I won’t tell you what they mean. Why? Because I can’t… Symbols are symbols because they don’t have one “correct” meaning or interpretation. Symbols are always up for debate and interpretation Symbols are symbols because they don’t have one “correct” meaning or interpretation. Symbols are always up for debate and interpretation

7. Let us take some advice from author and professor Thomas C. Foster… “Is that a symbol? Sure, why not. It’s the next question where things get hairy: what does it mean, what does it stand for? When someone asks about meaning, I usually come back with something clever like, ‘Well what do you think?’ Everyone thinks I’m either being a wise guy or ducking responsibility, but neither is the case. Seriously, what do you think it stands for, because that’s probably what it does. At least for you. “Is that a symbol? Sure, why not. It’s the next question where things get hairy: what does it mean, what does it stand for? When someone asks about meaning, I usually come back with something clever like, ‘Well what do you think?’ Everyone thinks I’m either being a wise guy or ducking responsibility, but neither is the case. Seriously, what do you think it stands for, because that’s probably what it does. At least for you. Here’s the problem with symbols: people expect them to mean something. Not just any something, but one something in particular. Exactly. Maximum. You know what? It doesn’t work like that. Oh sure, there are some symbols that work straightforwardly: a white flag means I give up, don’t shoot. Or it means, we come in peace. See? Even in a fairly clear-cut case we can’t pin down a single meaning, although they’re pretty close. So some symbols do have a relatively limited range of meanings, but in general a symbol can’t be reduced to standing for one thing. If they CAN, it’s not symbolism, it’s allegory.”

8. What is Allegory? Allegory is a literary device used to attribute greater depths of meaning to literal situations and characters. Differing from symbol, allegory usually represents something SPECIFIC Allegory is a literary device used to attribute greater depths of meaning to literal situations and characters. Differing from symbol, allegory usually represents something SPECIFIC When a character, object, or event is used allegorically in a text, it is meant to draw the reader’s attention to a deeper significance, beyond the surface level of the text. We have a greater understanding of the text because of what each character or item represents. When a character, object, or event is used allegorically in a text, it is meant to draw the reader’s attention to a deeper significance, beyond the surface level of the text. We have a greater understanding of the text because of what each character or item represents. For Example: For Example: In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, each of the animals living on the farm represents a figure in Stalin’s Regime in Russia before the Russian Revolution In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, each of the animals living on the farm represents a figure in Stalin’s Regime in Russia before the Russian Revolution Through this device, the author is able to allegorically comment on and illustrate his ideas about the Russian Regime (the deeper level) while literally telling a story about animals taking over the farm on which they live (the surface level) Through this device, the author is able to allegorically comment on and illustrate his ideas about the Russian Regime (the deeper level) while literally telling a story about animals taking over the farm on which they live (the surface level)

9. Keep an eye out for… Throughout the story, some characters may allegorically or symbolically represent a deeper meaning. Also, be on the look out for these symbols : Throughout the story, some characters may allegorically or symbolically represent a deeper meaning. Also, be on the look out for these symbols : The scarFire Lord of the Flies The color greenConchThe Beast The Stake/PigUniformsThe Sea Piggy’s glassesThe Island

10. Annotations In order to be an active reader and take note of these literary devices as they develop throughout the story, you must annotate the novel as you read. In order to be an active reader and take note of these literary devices as they develop throughout the story, you must annotate the novel as you read. I will not score your annotations after every chapter, but I will do RANDOM annotation checks. So BE READY!!! I will not score your annotations after every chapter, but I will do RANDOM annotation checks. So BE READY!!! “But what do I annotate, Ms. Whitlock?!” “But what do I annotate, Ms. Whitlock?!” I’m glad you asked …

11. Annotations Text connections Text connections Text to text Text to text Text to world Text to world Text to self Text to self Lit. Devices Lit. Devices Symbol Symbol Allegory Allegory Diction Diction Imagery Imagery Character development Character development Conflict Conflict Setting Setting Theme Theme Rise and Fall of Civilization evolution Rise and Fall of Civilization evolution (next class) Maslow analysis Maslow analysis Zimbardo analysis Zimbardo analysis Freudian analysis Freudian analysis (later on)

12. Happy Reading!