1. Introduction and Background
Lord of the Flies 1954
Introduction and Background

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

3. William Golding Born in Britain 1911-1993
L.O.T.F Author
William Golding
Born in Britain

4. William Golding British novelist Studied Science and English at Oxford
Fought in Royal Navy during WWII
Participated in invasion of Normandy on D-Day
At war’s end, returned to teaching and writing
Earned the Nobel Prize in Literature

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

6. As a child, Golding had witnessed WWI, which was referred to as “the war to end all wars”

7. HOWEVER, ANOTHER WAR 22 years later Britain was again involved in
to end all wars, which caused more devastation than was imaginable

8. Through LOTF, Golding is making the statement that we cannot escape our savage, violent tendencies…

9. Inspiration
Golding once allowed his class of boys total freedom in a debate, but had to intervene as mayhem soon broke out
Experiences in war
Philosophical questions about human nature

10. …and without social order, we devolve into a state of chaos

11. Philosophical Influence
John Hobbes
English Philosopher:
Man is by nature selfishly individualistic
Man constantly at war with other men
Fear of violent death is sole motivation to create civilizations
Men need to be controlled by absolute sovereignty to avoid brutish behavior

12. Facts About the Novel Rejected 21 times before it was published
It was his first novel- published in 1954
Not successful until the early 1960’s
On the American Library Association’s list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of

13. Story Synopsis Set in mid 1940’s when Europe was engulfed in war.
A plane carrying British school boys is mistaken for a military craft and shot down.
Only the boys survive the crash and try to form a society and govern themselves.

14. Golding’s Message
“The theme is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature.”
--William Golding

15. Themes Survival Power/leadership styles Civilization vs. Savagery
Loss of Innocence
Human nature
Duality of man
Nature Vs. Nurture
Good Vs. Evil

16. Allusions
Use of the names Ralph and Jack as the main characters from The Coral Island.
Simon from the Bible “Simon called Peter”, Peter was the other boy’s name in The Coral Island
Mention of Coral Island and Treasure Island
Numerous biblical allusions throughout

17. Golding’s Literary Technique
Heavy use of symbolism
Irony
Abundant imagery and sensory detail
Figurative Language
Simile
Metaphor
Personification

18. Lord of the Flies in Pop Culture
In Hook, Robin Williams compares Lost Boys to savages in LOTF
The Simpsons episode “Das Bus” is a parody
T.V. shows Survivor and Lost are said to have been inspired from LOTF
2006 movie Unaccompanied Minors makes reference to LOTF

19. Popular Culture Cont.
Stephen King uses the name “Castle Rock” (from the novel) as the name of a town in his books. He also makes reference to LOTF in the novels The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Cujo and Hearts in Atlantis
Orson Scott Card makes reference in his novel, Ender’s Shadow.
Degrassi: The Next Generation, Danny Phantom, The Daily Show all mention the novel

20. Source of Inspiration to Musicians
Musicians Iron Maiden, Gatsby’s American Dream, Nine Inch Nails, Tori Amos, A.F.I., and Danielle Dax have all recorded songs about the novel.
Titles such as:
“Where the Flies Are”
“Touch Piggy’s Eyes”
“Lord of the Flies”
“Piggy
“Fable”

21. LOTF Symbols (Objects, characters, figures, or colors that represent ideas or concepts)
Piggy’s Glasses = The last surviving evidence of the lawful, structured world
Conch Shell = New democracy on the island
Snake = Evil…reference to the serpent in the garden of Eden

22. Important Images
The Beast = The imaginary evil that is projected onto the island by the boys’ paranoia
Lord of the Flies = A pig’s head on a stick that becomes the physical acceptance of evil on the island

23. 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

24. Character Analysis
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
Translation = GOOD

25. Character Analysis
Piggy \ Described as “fat,” “intellectual,” asthmatic, and needs glasses
Represents scientific, rational side of civilization, and social order

26. Character Analysis
Jack ~ Described as having red hair, wears black with a snake clasp, ugly
Cruel and manipulative
Represents our savage instincts played out
EVIL

27. Character Analysis
Simon ~ Described as a skinny, vivid little boy, who “meditates;” and he faints, 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

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

29. 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

30. 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

31. The End
“Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy."
- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Chapter 12