Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Allegory A fictional work with two levels of meaning: literal and symbolic.A fictional work with two levels of meaning: literal and symbolic. Characters, objects or events in a story or poem represent or symbolize ideas and concepts.Characters, objects or events in a story or poem represent or symbolize ideas and concepts. The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance.The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance.

William Golding ( ) English novelist, playwright, poet.English novelist, playwright, poet. Won Nobel Prize for Literature; Knighted in 1988.Won Nobel Prize for Literature; Knighted in Fought with Royal Navy during WWII; involved with sinking of Bismarck and D- Day on Normandy beach.Fought with Royal Navy during WWII; involved with sinking of Bismarck and D- Day on Normandy beach.

Lord of the Flies Published in 1954.Published in Can be read as an allegory of WWII.Can be read as an allegory of WWII. Struggle against war and savagery; moral ambiguity and fragility of civilization.Struggle against war and savagery; moral ambiguity and fragility of civilization.

Language & Style Simile: comparison using “like” or “as.”Simile: comparison using “like” or “as.” –This last piece of shop brought sniggers from the choir, who perched like black birds on the criss-cross trunks.” (19). Metaphor: implied comparison between two things that appear different but share similar characteristics.Metaphor: implied comparison between two things that appear different but share similar characteristics. –“A storm of laughter arose and even the tiniest child joined in.” (20). Personification: giving human qualities to inanimate objects.Personification: giving human qualities to inanimate objects. –“The great rock loitered, poised on one toe, decided not to return, fell, struck, turned over, leapt droning through the air and smashed a deep hole in the canopy of the forest.” (26).

Asyndeton (“unconnected”): literary device in which conjunctions [and, or, but, nor] are omitted; creates emphasis:Asyndeton (“unconnected”): literary device in which conjunctions [and, or, but, nor] are omitted; creates emphasis: –“We saw no houses, no smoke, no footprints, no boats, no people.” (30). Polysyndeton (“bound together”): literary device in which conjunctions are used where they might have been omitted; creates emphasis:Polysyndeton (“bound together”): literary device in which conjunctions are used where they might have been omitted; creates emphasis: –“Here the beach was interrupted abruptly by the square motif of the landscape; a great platform of pink granite thrust up uncompromisingly through the forest and terrace and sand and lagoon to make a jetty four feet high.” (11).

Hyperbole (“over-casting”): exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis; creates contrast between what is ordinary and exceptional.Hyperbole (“over-casting”): exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis; creates contrast between what is ordinary and exceptional. –“They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to communicate.” (50). Verisimilitude: likeness to truth; resemblance of real event in fiction; sensory detail helps create sense of reality.Verisimilitude: likeness to truth; resemblance of real event in fiction; sensory detail helps create sense of reality. –“The droppings were war. They piled among turned earth. They were olive green, smooth and steamed a little.” (45).

Language and Style (cont.) Synecdoche: a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or the whole of something is used to represent a part.Synecdoche: a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or the whole of something is used to represent a part. –“He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling. He capered toward Bill, and the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self- consciousness.” (58).

Symbols ConchConch Signal fireSignal fire Piggy’s glassesPiggy’s glasses IslandIsland BeastBeast

Symbols Conch: authority; order; powerConch: authority; order; power Signal fire: hope for rescueSignal fire: hope for rescue Piggy’s glasses: hope for rescue, technology, human intelligencePiggy’s glasses: hope for rescue, technology, human intelligence Island: adventure, paradiseIsland: adventure, paradise Beast: danger/evilBeast: danger/evil

Characters As Symbols RalphRalph PiggyPiggy JackJack SimonSimon

Characters As Symbols Ralph: authority; law and orderRalph: authority; law and order Piggy: reason; human intelligence; adult worldPiggy: reason; human intelligence; adult world Jack: savagery; anarchy; violenceJack: savagery; anarchy; violence Simon: kindness; compassion; natureSimon: kindness; compassion; nature

Allusions in LOTF Allusion: A reference toa famous person, historical or religious figure, historical event, or another literary workAllusion: A reference to a famous person, historical or religious figure, historical event, or another literary work. Literary Allusions in LOTF:Literary Allusions in LOTF: Coral Island & Treasure Island: adventure novels about boys trapped on islands but are rescued in the end.

Biblical Allusions (cont.) The island: Garden of Eden (starts as a paradise) The island: Garden of Eden (starts as a paradise) Lord of the Flies: Beelzebub (demon in Hell); references to beast speaking, rising out of sea; being worshiped because it cannot be defeated Lord of the Flies: Beelzebub (demon in Hell); references to beast speaking, rising out of sea; being worshiped because it cannot be defeated Christ figure: Christ figure:  Performs miracles  Has divine or mystical qualities  Heals/helps others  Displays kindness and forgiveness  Fights for justice; faces evil  Dies and is resurrected  Martyr: sacrifices himself/herself for a cause larger than self

Simon as Christ figure Kindness/helps others: builds huts, defends Piggy, feeds littluns.Kindness/helps others: builds huts, defends Piggy, feeds littluns. Mystical qualities: boys recognize him as different; goes to his secret place to be alone and think; seems to know Ralph will go home.Mystical qualities: boys recognize him as different; goes to his secret place to be alone and think; seems to know Ralph will go home.

Simon (cont.) Faces evil: confrontation with Lord of the FliesFaces evil: confrontation with Lord of the Flies Martyr: Understands the truth about evil, fear, and human nature; is killed for trying to reveal it.Martyr: Understands the truth about evil, fear, and human nature; is killed for trying to reveal it. Dies and is Resurrected: Body “disappears.”Dies and is Resurrected: Body “disappears.”

Symbol & Theme Symbol: Lord of the Flies is symbolic of the innate evil in human beings.Symbol: Lord of the Flies is symbolic of the innate evil in human beings. Theme: Under the right circumstances (the breakdown of civilization), the innate evil in human beings will prevail.Theme: Under the right circumstances (the breakdown of civilization), the innate evil in human beings will prevail.

Question If a theme of Lord of the Flies is the realization of innate evil in mankind, why does Golding introduce a savior figure?If a theme of Lord of the Flies is the realization of innate evil in mankind, why does Golding introduce a savior figure?