Lord of the Flies 1954 Introduction and Background
Title Translation “Beelzebub” a Hebrew word for LUCIFER However, the literal translation of “Beelzebub” into English is LORD OF THE FLIES
L.O.T.F Author William Golding Born in Britain
About William Golding British novelist Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in literature Fought in Royal Navy during WWII Participated in invasion of Normandy on D-Day At war’s end, returned to teaching and writing
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” HOWEVER, 22 years later Britain was again involved in ANOTHER WAR to end all wars, which caused more devastation than was imaginable
Through LOTF, Golding is making the statement that we cannot escape our savage, violent tendencies…
…and without social order, we devolve into a state of chaos
Golding’s Fiction Allegorical –The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. –A story, picture, or play employing such representation. John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Herman Melville's Moby Dick are allegories. –A symbolic representation: The blindfolded figure with scales is an allegory of justice. 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.” –William Golding on his novel Lord of the Flies
Philosophical Influence John Hobbes English Philosopher: Man is by nature selfishly individualistic Man 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
Themes in the Novel Civilization vs. Savagery Loss of Innocence Original Sin Fear that separates one from God Nature of Good and Evil Goodness is rare and fleeting
LOTF Symbols ( Objects, characters, figures, or colors that represent ideas or concepts ) Piggy’s Glasses = The last surviving evidence of the lawful, structured world Conch Shell = New democracy on the island Snake = Evil…reference to the serpent in the garden of Eden
Motifs in the Novel Biblical parallels (book criticized for re-telling episodes in the Bible) Pristine places corrupted by evil Beel’zebub- Hebrew translation for Lord of the flies
Important Images The Beast = The imaginary evil that is projected onto the island by the boys’ paranoia Lord of the Flies = A pig’s head on a stick that becomes the physical acceptance of evil on the island
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
Character Analysis 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 Translation = GOOD
Character Analysis Piggy \ Described as “fat,” “intellectual,” asthmatic, and needs glasses Represents scientific, rational side of civilization, and social order
Character Analysis Jack ~ Described as having red hair, wears black with a snake clasp, ugly Cruel and manipulative Represents our savage instincts played out EVIL
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 Simpson’s episode titled Das Bus is a parody of Lord of the Flies.
MarK Burnett’s CBS island show is said to have been inspired by LOTF.
The episode Club Spongebob is a spoof of LOTF.
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.