1. Lord of the Flies BY WILLIAM GOLDING

2. The Author: William Golding British writer, schoolmaster, lecturer, actor, sailor, and musician Born on September 19, 1911 in Cornwall, England He always wanted to be a writer, but his parents forced him to study science Studied Natural Sciences at Oxford After two years he switched to English literature Worked briefly as an actor and director, wrote poetry, and then became a schoolteacher 1940- Golding joined the Royal Navy where he served in command of a rocket launcher After the war he returned to teaching and began to write again Died in 1993 at the age of 81.

3. Golding and World War II Joined the Royal Navy in 1940 and spent six years afloat Saw action against battleships (at the sinking of the Bismark), submarines, and aircraft Present off the French coast for the D-Day invasion After the war, he resumed teaching and started to write novels Published Lord of the Flies in 1954

4. Why did Golding write 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 Nazis. I’d seen enough to realize that every single one of us could be Nazis.” -William Golding

5. Historical Context When Lord of the Flies was published in the early 1950s Britain was living in the shadow of the horrors of World War II. His experience had a profound effect on his view of the evil things people did to each other in the war. Nazi concentration camps Japanese treatment of their prisoners Atomic bombing against civilians Golding began to see all human nature as savage and unforgiving: he had seen that even the good could be corrupted. It was the early years of the Cold War, and the threat of Third World War was very real. The fact that the events in Lord of the Flies take place against the backdrop of nuclear war is not merely a coincidence.

6. Meaning of the Title: The Lord of the Flies Translation of the Hebrew word “baal-zevuv,” which means chief or principal devil-Satan Greek word is “Beelzeboub” English word is “Beelzebub”- means Satan, chief devil, an assistant devil second only to Satan, or fallen angel. The boys call their leader “chief” which could be interpreted as a shortened version of the Beelzebub, or chief devil.

7. Brief Plot Synopsis British schoolboys are stranded on an uninhabited island during a nuclear war. Ralph meets Piggy, a fat, bespectacled boy, and together they find a conch shell which Ralph uses as a trumpet. In response to the sound, other boys appear, some very small, none older than twelve, and finally a group dressed in choir robes and led by Jack Merridew. Realizing that there are no adults, the boys attempt to organize their own society. Ralph is elected chief and Jack is given control of the choir who become his “hunters.” The division of labor is agreed upon: Jack and his group will become hunters; Ralph, aided by Simon, Piggy, and the twins Samneric, will build huts and carry water.

8. Brief Plot Synopsis As the novel progress, fear becomes a part of island life for the boys. One of the fears is that there is an unexplained “beast” on the island. Laced with such fears, the power struggle between the two boys grows. The boys become more and more fascinated with their savage side.

9. Setting Tiny coral island in the South Pacific during a war in which an atomic bomb may have been used. Island is uninhabited except for the boys who survive the plane crash Has fresh water, fruit, and game in the form of wild pigs Shaped like a boat, has a forest, two small mountains and a sandy beach

11. Characters: Ralph He is twelve years old with blond hair, and is the most charismatic of the group. He is described as being built “like a boxer,” and is initially chosen as leader due to his many positive qualities. He maintains a conflict with Jack throughout the entire novel, attempting to keep order whereas Jack isn’t concerned with it. Ralph and Piggy together represent the struggle for order and democracy.

12. Characters: Jack He is about Ralph’s age, with skinnier build and red hair. His freckled face is described as being “ugly without silliness.” From the very beginning, he seems to harbor emotions of anger and savagery. At first, he is the leader of the choir group, who become hunters as the book progresses. Finally, his savage personality and ability to tell people what they want to hear allows him to overtake Ralph as chief.

13. Characters: Piggy Short and overweight boy who wears glasses and represents order and democracy. He is afflicted with asthma and doesn’t care to do strenuous work on the island. He tries very hard to cling to civilization and tries his best to keep peace. While probably the smartest boy on the island, he lacks any social skills whatsoever and has trouble communicating or fitting in with the others. His glasses are a very important part of the book, as they are used over and over to start fires. Piggy’s constant polishing of them shows his desire for clear-sightedness and civilization.

14. Characters: Simon He is younger than the three boys above, but older than other littluns. He is very good and pure, and has the most positive outlook. He insists multiple times that they will get rescued, even when Ralph is strongly doubting the possibility. Simon often travels into his tranquil spot in the jungle, but also tries to help out when it is needed. He meets up with pig’s head skewered on a stick, which becomes known as the Lord of the Flies.

15. Characters: Roger He is a small boy with dirty and shaggy black hair. Roger represents pure evil and wrongness, more so even than Jack. He has no mercy, and is the first one to intentionally kill another boy on the island. He gets sadistic pleasure from torturing a pig and other boys on the island. Roger is one of Jack’s most loyal helpers, and gladly carries out his orders.

16. Characters: Sam and Eric They are two young twins who always travel and do everything together. Without each other, they are incapable of very much. They represent reliance and unity, and because of this become like one person referred to as “Samneric.” While seemingly loyal to Ralph, They eventually give in to Jack’s threats and join his tribe. The loss of civilization led them to lose any real sense of loyalty to others.

17. Literary Devices Allegory: a literary device which conveys meaning through symbols, actions, and even characters. Symbols/Symbolism: A symbol is something such as an object, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention. Static Character: One how does not change much throughout the course of the story. Dynamic Character: Changes in some important way as a result of the story’s action. Irony: An unexpected twist in a story (verbal, situational, and dramatic) Theme: The insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work. The “golden thread” woven throughout the story.

18. Lord of the Flies as an Allegory Allegory: a literary device which conveys meaning through symbols, actions, and even characters. In the novel, the setting, the characters, and even some of the symbols serve to convey feeling about leadership, order, civilization, control, and culture. While you are reading, continually ask yourself, “What deeper comment is Golding making about society and humanity?”

19. Symbols

20. More Symbols for You to Find

21. Themes Civilization vs. Savagery Loss of Innocence Power and Leadership Fear Rules and Order