The Lord of the Flies - by William Golding

The Lord of the Flies – Title Significance “Beelzebub” is a Hebrew word for Lucifer The literal translation of “Beelzebub” into English is “Lord of the Flies”

SIR WILLIAM GOLDING 1911-1993 Born in Britain Was employed as a schoolteacher Served five years in the Royal Navy during WWII Lord of the Flies published in 1954

Sir William Golding’s Influences As a child, Golding had witnessed WWI, “the war to end all wars” In the decade before Lord of the Flies was published, Britain had been involved in two more wars: World War II (which Golding served) and the Korean War

IMAGES FROM WWII

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PLOT OF LORD OF THE FLIES William Golding sets his novel Lord of the Flies at a time when Europe is in the midst of nuclear destruction. A group of British school boys, being evacuated from England, crash lands on a tropical island. No adults survive the crash, and the novel is the story of the boys' descent into chaos, disorder, and evil.

Background cont. The group is roughly divided into the "littluns," boys around the age of six, and the "biguns," who are between the ages of ten and twelve.

background William Golding wrote Lord of the Flies following World War II, during which the Nazis exterminated six million Jews and the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. In this context, the novel's profound pessimism is understandable.

Artist’s Rendering of the Island . The island in Lord of the Flies is never actually pointed out in the real world. The tropical location has a beach, as seen above, where Ralph and Piggy emerge from the scar to find the conch. Further inland is the dense jungle, towards the center of which is Simon's mat of creepers. This is also where pigs are hunted and the Lord of the Flies is eventually found. The mountain located at the very left of this rendering is where the boys climb to the summit in order to take in their surroundings. It is also the location of the fire and the dead parachutist. Castle Rock, the other high rising formation found on the opposite end of the island, rises high above the sea. The area is turned into a fortress for Jack and his tribe. The island is described as being in the shape of a boat, which is approximated in the above picture. The boat imagery and the island itself are both symbols. The island is a microcosm for the real world, along with all the problems and realities faced in the world.

Character Analysis 1) Ralph- Main character described as “fair haired,” having “broad shoulders…[like a] boxer’s,” and has a face that “proclaims no devil” Committed to civilization and morality 2) Piggy - Described as “fat,” “intellectual,” asthmatic, and needs glasses Represents scientific, rational side of civilization, and social order

Character Analysis Simon - Described as a skinny, vivid little boy, who “meditates;” and he faints at different times in the novel, which some cultures have believed is a sign of connecting with the spiritual world Seems to be connected with nature, and he has an innate, spiritual goodness

Character Analysis Sam and Eric (Samneric) ~ Twins Described as barely having enough skin to cover both, bullet-headed, and they finish each other’s sentences The last to remain loyal to Ralph Represent the tug-of-war within us to remain good

Character Analysis Jack - Described as having red hair, malevolent, aggressive, wears black with a snake clasp Cruel and manipulative Represents our savage instincts played out

Character Analysis Roger - “Silent” and sadistic Targets the “littluns” The only one to premeditate murder Kills without conscience Pure evil

Character Analysis “Littluns” ~ The younger kids Represent the common folk, who easily follow the lead of others into savagery when there is no enforced structure in society

THEMES IN LORD OF THE FLIES Golding believes that we cannot escape our savage, violent tendencies… and without social order, society dissolves into chaos and savagery.

SYMBOLS 1) Piggy’s glasses – the last surviving evidence of the lawful, structured, rational world 2) conch shell – order and democracy on the island 3) The fire 4) The Island 5) The Beast 6) Jack’s mask

TERMS to REMEMBER 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

REVIEWS OF THE NOVEL "beautifully written, tragic and provocative... “vivid and enthralling” “completely convincing and often very frightening” “like a fragment of nightmare” “a dizzy climax of terror” "It is not only a first-rate adventure but a parable of our times "