Lord of the Flies Published in ________ Introduction and Background

Title Translation “Beelzebub” a Hebrew word for ? However, the literal translation of “Beelzebub” into English is LORD OF THE FLIES

L.O.T.F Author William _____________ Born in ________

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, WWII to end all wars, which caused more devastation than was imaginable

Your Notes WG witnessed 2 world wars.

In the decade before LOTF was published, Britain had been involved in two wars: WWII Korean War

______________ A work of fiction carrying two levels of meaning: - 1) a surface plot/narrative (literal) - 2) symbolic/metaphorical meaning in which everything in story symbolizes something greater

Political Allegory The world was divided into two camps, the free world and the Soviet Union. How can the LOTF be seen as a political allegory? Ralph—concerned with the good of the camp and the return to civilization. Represents the free world. Jack-concerned more with his own need to kill and not the return to civilization. Represents the Soviet Union Conflict-could equal end of civilization.

Religious Allegory Garden of Eden: Snake: Fall of Mankind: Cain and Abel: Christ figure:

Your notes Garden of Eden: the island Snake: fear Fall of Mankind: parachutist and Piggy Cain and Abel: Jack and Ralph Simon: Christ figure

LOTF Symbols ( Objects, characters, figures, or colors that represent ideas or concepts ) Piggy’s Glasses Conch Shell The Beast/ The Lord of the Flies=

Your Notes Piggy’s glasses-clear sight, rational ideas Conch-civilization, order Beastie/Lord of the Flies—evil within