Lord of the Flies William Golding
About William Golding British novelist British novelist Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in literature Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in literature Fought in Royal Navy during WWII Fought in Royal Navy during WWII Participated in invasion of Normandy on D-Day Participated in invasion of Normandy on D-Day At war’s end, returned to teaching and writing At war’s end, returned to teaching and writing
Golding’s Fiction Allegorical Allegorical –This means his stories have a deeper meaning than what is on the surface. Allusions to Allusions to –Classical literature –Mythology –Christian Symbolism
Lord of the Flies “It was simply what seemed sensible for me to write after the war when everyone was thanking God they weren’t Nazi’s. I’d seen enough to realize that every single one of us could be Nazi’s.” “It was simply what seemed sensible for me to write after the war when everyone was thanking God they weren’t Nazi’s. I’d seen enough to realize that every single one of us could be Nazi’s.” –William Golding on his novel Lord of the Flies
Some psychology… Id Id –In Psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality which contains our primitive impulses such as sex, anger, and hunger. Superego Superego –In Psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality that represents the conscience. Ego Ego –In Psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality which maintains a balance between our impulses (id) and our conscience (superego).
A Big Idea Microcosm Microcosm –A small version of something larger As you read… As you read… –What could be a microcosm in Lord of the Flies?
About the Novel Set in mid 1940’s when Europe engulfed in war. Set in mid 1940’s when Europe engulfed in war. A plane carrying British school boys is mistaken for a military craft and shot down. A plane carrying British school boys is mistaken for a military craft and shot down. Only the boys survive the crash, and try to form a society and govern themselves. Only the boys survive the crash, and try to form a society and govern themselves.
Philosophical Influence John Hobbes John Hobbes –English Philosopher: –Man is by nature selfishly individualistic –Man is constantly at war with other men –Fear of violent death is sole motivation to create civilizations –Men need to be controlled by absolute sovereignty to avoid brutish behavior
The World Golding Knew WWII WWII The fall of France to Nazi Germany in1940 The fall of France to Nazi Germany in1940 Britain feared an invasion and evacuated children to other countries Britain feared an invasion and evacuated children to other countries A German U-Boat torpedoed British ship carrying children killing the boys, thus suspending the oversees evacuation program A German U-Boat torpedoed British ship carrying children killing the boys, thus suspending the oversees evacuation program
Major WWII Events Britain joined France in war against Nazi Germany Britain joined France in war against Nazi Germany Fall of France Fall of France Fascist Italy joins the Axis with Germany Fascist Italy joins the Axis with Germany Japan attacks Pearl Harbor causing USA to declare war on Japan and enter the world war Japan attacks Pearl Harbor causing USA to declare war on Japan and enter the world war D-Day Normandy Landings D-Day Normandy Landings Bombing of Dresden Bombing of Dresden European victory celebrated European victory celebrated Atomic Bomb dropped in Hiroshima immediately killing ,000 people (final death toll 135,000 people) Atomic Bomb dropped in Hiroshima immediately killing ,000 people (final death toll 135,000 people) Death and destruction abound!!! Death and destruction abound!!!
Modern Day Allusions Allusion- (n.) an indirect reference to something Allusion- (n.) an indirect reference to something There are many, many modern day allusions to Lord of the Flies in popular culture. For example….
The Simpsons The Simpson’s episode titled Das Bus is a parody of Lord of the Flies. The Simpson’s episode titled Das Bus is a parody of Lord of the Flies.
Survivor MarK Burnett’s CBS island show is said to have been inspired by LOTF. MarK Burnett’s CBS island show is said to have been inspired by LOTF.
Sponge Bob Squarepants The episode Club Spongebob is a spoof of LOTF. The episode Club Spongebob is a spoof of LOTF.
Popular Music Bands such as Taking Back Sunday, Nine Inch Nails, AFI, Iron Maiden, and Pink Floyd have written songs about or have alluded to LOTF in their music. Bands such as Taking Back Sunday, Nine Inch Nails, AFI, Iron Maiden, and Pink Floyd have written songs about or have alluded to LOTF in their music.
Danger Do Not Go to the next slide…yet…
Symbols in the Novel The Conch- Civilization and order The Beast- The fear that separates man from making positive choices The Conch- Civilization and order The Beast- The fear that separates man from making positive choices Piggy’s Glasses- Reason, science and insight Piggy’s Glasses- Reason, science and insight Lord of the Flies- Evil Lord of the Flies- Evil Fire Signal- Hope, salvation Fire Signal- Hope, salvation
Themes in the Novel Civilization vs. Savagery Civilization vs. Savagery Loss of Innocence Loss of Innocence Original Sin Original Sin Nature of Good and Evil Nature of Good and Evil Goodness is rare and fleeting Goodness is rare and fleeting
Motifs in the Novel Pristine (perfect, unspoiled, pure) places corrupted by evil Pristine (perfect, unspoiled, pure) places corrupted by evil Beel’zebub- Hebrew translation for Lord of the flies Beel’zebub- Hebrew translation for Lord of the flies