1. The Lord of the Flies - by William Golding

2. The Lord of the Flies – Title Significance
“Beelzebub” is a Hebrew
word for Lucifer
The literal translation of
“Beelzebub” into
English is “Lord of the
Flies”

3. SIR WILLIAM GOLDING 1911-1993 Born in Britain
Was employed as a schoolteacher
Served five years in the Royal Navy during WWII
Lord of the Flies published in 1954

4. Sir William Golding’s Influences
As a child, Golding had
witnessed WWI, “the war to
end all wars”
In the decade before Lord of
the Flies was published, Britain
had been involved in two
wars: World War II (which
Golding served) and the
Korean War
Experiencing war first-hand really impacted his views on humanity.

5. IMAGES FROM WWII

6. IMAGES FROM WWII

7. PLOT OF LORD OF THE FLIES
William Golding sets his novel Lord of the Flies at a time when Europe is in the midst of nuclear destruction. A group of British school boys, being evacuated from England, crash lands on a tropical island. No adults survive the crash, and the novel is the story of the boys' descent into chaos, disorder, and evil.

8. Artist’s Rendering of the Island
The island in Lord of the Flies is never actually pointed out in the real world. The tropical location has a beach, as seen above, where Ralph and Piggy emerge from the scar to find the conch. Further inland is the dense jungle, towards the center of which is Simon's mat of creepers. This is also where pigs are hunted and the Lord of the Flies is eventually found. The mountain located at the very left of this rendering is where the boys climb to the summit in order to take in their surroundings. It is also the location of the fire and the dead parachutist. Castle Rock, the other high rising formation found on the opposite end of the island, rises high above the sea. The area is turned into a fortress for Jack and his tribe. The island is described as being in the shape of a boat, which is approximated in the above picture. The boat imagery and the island itself are both symbols. The island is a microcosm for the real world, along with all the problems and realities faced in the world.

9. Character Analysis Committed to civilization and morality
1) 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
2) Piggy - Described as “fat,” “intellectual,” asthmatic, and needs glasses
Represents scientific, rational side
of civilization, and social order

10. Character Analysis
Simon - Described as a skinny, vivid little boy, who “meditates;” and he faints at different times in the novel, which some cultures have believed is a sign of connecting with the spiritual world
Seems to be connected with nature, and he has an innate, spiritual goodness

11. Character Analysis Sam and Eric (Samneric) ~ Twins
Described as barely having enough skin to cover both, bullet-headed, and they finish each other’s sentences
The last to remain loyal to Ralph
Represent the tug-of-war
within us to remain good

12. Character Analysis
Jack - Described as having red hair, malevolent, aggressive, wears black with a snake clasp
Cruel and manipulative
Represents our savage instincts played out

13. Character Analysis Targets the “littluns”
Roger - “Silent” and sadistic
Targets the “littluns”
The only one to premeditate murder
Kills without conscience
Pure evil

14. Character Analysis “Littluns” ~ The younger kids
Represent the common folk, who easily follow the lead of others into savagery when there is no enforced structure in society

15. THEMES IN LORD OF THE FLIES
Golding believes that we
cannot escape our savage, violent tendencies… and without social order,
society dissolves into
chaos and savagery.

16. SYMBOLS evidence of the lawful, structured, rational world
1) Piggy’s glasses – the last surviving
evidence of the lawful, structured,
rational world
2) conch shell – order and democracy
on the island
3) The fire
4) The Island
5) The Beast
6) Jack’s mask

17. 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

18. REVIEWS OF THE NOVEL “vivid and enthralling”
“beautifully written, tragic and provocative...
“vivid and enthralling”
“completely convincing and often very
frightening”
“like a fragment of nightmare”
“a dizzy climax of terror”
"It is not only a first-rate adventure but a parable of our times "

19. Parody of The Lord of the Flies
The Simpsons