Lord of the Flies by William Golding

"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is a classic novel published in 1954. Here are some major facts about the book:

1. Author: William Golding, a British novelist, wrote "Lord of the Flies" while he was teaching at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury, England. It was his first published novel.
2. Setting: The novel is set on an uninhabited tropical island during an unspecified wartime. The time frame is never explicitly stated, but it is believed to be during World War II.
3. Plot: The story follows a group of British boys who are stranded on the island after their plane crashes. They attempt to govern themselves but descend into savagery and chaos.
4. Characters:
   • Ralph: The elected leader of the boys. He represents order, civilization, and democracy.
   • Jack: The leader of the choirboys who becomes Ralph's rival. He represents savagery, anarchy, and the desire for power.
   • Piggy: Ralph's overweight and intelligent friend. He symbolizes logic, reason, and civilization.
   • Simon: A shy and sensitive boy who is kind-hearted and spiritual.
   • Roger: A sadistic and violent boy who becomes Jack's lieutenant.
   • Sam and Eric (Samneric): Twins who are initially loyal to Ralph but later join Jack's tribe.
5. Themes:
   • Civilization vs. Savagery: The novel explores the thin line between civilization and savagery, showing how easily humans can descend into barbarism without the constraints of society.
   • Power and Control: The struggle for power and control drives much of the conflict in the story, as Ralph and Jack vie for leadership.
   • Loss of Innocence: The boys' descent into savagery reflects the loss of their innocence as they grapple with the harsh realities of survival.
6. Symbolism:
   • The Conch Shell: Symbolizes order, democracy, and civilization. It is used to call assemblies and maintain order.
   • The Beast: Represents the primal instincts and fears within the boys. It manifests differently to each character.
   • Piggy's Glasses: Symbolize intelligence, rationality, and the power of science and technology. They are used to start fires but are ultimately destroyed.
7. Title: The title "Lord of the Flies" refers to the literal translation of the name "Beelzebub," a biblical demon associated with chaos and corruption. It symbolizes the evil within humanity.
8. Reception: Initially, the novel received mixed reviews but gained popularity over time. It is now considered a classic of modern literature and is often studied in schools for its rich themes and symbolism.

 

An Overview on Lord of the Flies by William Golding

"Lord of the Flies" begins with a group of British boys, aged 6 to 12, stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes during an unspecified wartime. The boys, initially organized and hopeful for rescue, elect Ralph as their leader. Ralph, along with Piggy, a chubby and asthmatic boy with glasses, and Jack, the leader of a choir group, begin to establish order and build shelters. They also use a conch shell to call assemblies and establish rules.

As time passes, tensions arise between Ralph and Jack. Jack is more interested in hunting and wants to establish dominance over the others. His choirboys, now known as "hunters," become increasingly unruly and obsessed with hunting pigs on the island. Ralph, on the other hand, focuses on maintaining the signal fire atop the mountain to attract passing ships.

The boys' civilization gradually deteriorates as they become more disconnected from the rules of their former society. They begin to neglect their duties, including tending the fire and keeping watch for ships. The boys also become frightened of a mythical "beast" lurking on the island.

Simon, a sensitive and introspective boy, discovers that the beast is actually a dead parachutist tangled in the trees. However, he is unable to communicate this truth to the others before he is killed in a frenzied dance mistaken for the beast. His death marks a turning point in the boys' descent into savagery.

Jack and his followers eventually split from Ralph's group and establish their own tribe, embracing a primitive lifestyle and hunting for food. They steal Piggy's glasses to start their own fire, further dividing the group. Piggy is later killed when Roger, one of Jack's followers, pushes a boulder off a cliff, crushing him.

With Piggy's death, Ralph becomes the sole remaining symbol of civilization on the island. He is hunted by Jack's tribe, who intend to kill him. In desperation, Ralph seeks refuge near the signal fire, hoping to attract the attention of a passing ship. Jack's tribe sets the island ablaze in their pursuit of Ralph, and as the fire engulfs the island, a British naval officer arrives to rescue the boys.

The officer is shocked to find the boys in such a feral state, expecting them to have maintained order and discipline on the island. As Ralph breaks down in tears, the officer remarks on the boys' resemblance to "savages," to which Ralph and the other boys react with shame.

In the end, the boys are rescued from the island, but they have lost their innocence and their faith in the inherent goodness of humanity. "Lord of the Flies" serves as a chilling allegory of the human capacity for evil, demonstrating how quickly civilization can unravel in the face of fear, power struggles, and the absence of moral authority.