Lord of the Flies William Golding An Introduction

Good vs. Evil As a child and adolescent, William Golding, like others in the innocent years before the War, had a fundamentally simple conception of the world. In a generic mode of thinking, during the years before the massive cruelty, devastation, and destruction wrought by World War II, the prevailing concept of man and society included two basic viewpoints: man was essentially good and society was inherently evil. As a child and adolescent, William Golding, like others in the innocent years before the War, had a fundamentally simple conception of the world. In a generic mode of thinking, during the years before the massive cruelty, devastation, and destruction wrought by World War II, the prevailing concept of man and society included two basic viewpoints: man was essentially good and society was inherently evil.

Meet: Meet: William Golding William Gerald Golding was born September 19, William Gerald Golding was born September 19, He was born in St. Columb Minor. He was born in St. Columb Minor. He had an interest in writing by age seven. He had an interest in writing by age seven. At twelve years, he had already written a multi- volume novel. At twelve years, he had already written a multi- volume novel. He received a B.A. degree in English from Oxford University. He received a B.A. degree in English from Oxford University.

Meet: Meet: William Golding He was employed as a social worker and then later as a teacher. He was employed as a social worker and then later as a teacher. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II. He became a lieutenant He became a lieutenant Witnessed action against: battleships, submarines, and aircraft Witnessed action against: battleships, submarines, and aircraft His aircraft was present for the D-Day invasion His aircraft was present for the D-Day invasion Because of his new insight into evil and violence, he wrote the novel, Lord of the Flies (1954). Because of his new insight into evil and violence, he wrote the novel, Lord of the Flies (1954). His novels examine the “darkness of man’s heart.” His novels examine the “darkness of man’s heart.”

Meet: Meet: William Golding Some of Golding’s published: Some of Golding’s published: The Inheritors (1956) The Inheritors (1956) Pincher Martin (1956) Pincher Martin (1956) The Spire (1964) The Spire (1964) The Pyramid (1967) The Pyramid (1967) In addition, he served as a playwright, poet, and essayist. In addition, he served as a playwright, poet, and essayist.

Meet: Meet: William Golding After winning the Nobel Prize for Literature Golding stated: In all the books, I have suggested a shape in the universe that may, as it were, account for things. The greatest pleasure is … just understanding. And if you can get people to understand their own humanity—well, that’s the job of the writer (Moritz 1964).

At that Time: What Influenced Golding Historical Events of 1954 Cold War Era (after WWII) Cold War Era (after WWII) The Cold War brought about fears of atomic destruction this is what ends up as the cause for the boys’ escape from England. The Cold War brought about fears of atomic destruction this is what ends up as the cause for the boys’ escape from England. English Society English Society Society was based around: class structure, military order, gendering, and social beliefs. Society was based around: class structure, military order, gendering, and social beliefs. Other Historical Links Other Historical Links LOTF is an indirect response to the 1857 novel, The Coral Island. LOTF is an indirect response to the 1857 novel, The Coral Island.

Timeline of The Action The Novel Begins Mid-20 th Century: During the reign of Elizabeth II, a plane-load of schoolboys is evacuated from England during an atomic bomb attack. The plane crashes over an uninhabited island somewhere in the Indian or Pacific Ocean.

SETTING The Island and the real world The Island and the real world Examine the microcosm… Examine the microcosm… The island is a representation of what is happening in the outside world. Destruction and chaos are imitated within the “society” set up by the boys. The island is a representation of what is happening in the outside world. Destruction and chaos are imitated within the “society” set up by the boys. Paradox : without realizing it, the boys have created the same society from which they were being protected. Paradox : without realizing it, the boys have created the same society from which they were being protected.

Elements of Focus While reading the novel, notice: Imagery / Figurative language Imagery / Figurative language Characterization (Indirect/Direct) Characterization (Indirect/Direct) Theme Theme Symbolism Symbolism Conflict/Complications Conflict/Complications Character Motivation/Description Character Motivation/Description Character Roles (Protagonist, Antagonist, and Supporting characters ). Character Roles (Protagonist, Antagonist, and Supporting characters ).