lord of the flies argumentative essay topics

89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🔝 top-10 lord of the flies research paper topics, 🏆 best lord of the flies essay titles, 📌 creative lord of the flies thesis ideas, 👍 good titles for lord of the flies essay, ❓ lord of the flies: important questions.

• Ralph’s character development in “Lord of the Flies.”
• The main theme in “Lord of the Flies.”
• The success of William Golding’s debut novel.
• “Lord of the Flies”: a discussion of innocence and power.
• The role of the conch in “Lord of the Flies.”
• Civilization vs. savagery in “Lord of the Flies.”
• William Golding’s commentary on human nature and evil.
• The symbolism of fear in “Lord of the Flies.”
• A literary analysis of “Lord of the Flies.”
• “Lord of the Flies”: a summary of events.
• Lord of the Flies, an Allegorical Novel by William Golding As the auction proceeds, the reader follows the heartbreaking events of the book. Boys hunt down a pig and place its head on a stick as an ‘offering’ to the ‘beast’.
• Evil in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding The idea is that we are born with both the capacity of good and the capacity of evil and that the way we are raised, or the environment in which we live determines how we […]
• Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding In The Lord of the Flies, the fire in the story is lit as a symbol of hope and rescue. The island in The Lord Of The Flies resembled the perfect type of Utopia at […]
• “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding The reader will wonder that all the boys respond in the same manner to the sound of the blown shell. The author uses aesthetics to drive emotions out of the reader about the value of […]
• Lord of the Flies: Novel Analysis The sinister nature of the novel is inferred in the title which derives from the Hebrew word, Ba’al-zvuv which means god of the fly, host of the fly or literally the Lord of Flies a […]
• Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies” by Golding Considering this, the present paper will analyze the validity of the given statement by drawing on the experiences of characters in Lord of the Flies and evaluating the conditions in which they lived.
• Writing on the Novel I Love: Lord of the Flies In a given Lord of the Flies essay, one needs to illustrate the different themes used by Golding in his novel.
• Literature Studies: “Lord of the Flies” by W. Golding Although Jack Merridew, one of the lead characters of William Golding’s shockingly unforgettable Lord of the Flies novel, is a child and still has a lot to learn in terms of how society works, the […]
• A Comprehensive Analysis of the Key Elements of “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• The Role of Simon in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Literary Comparison of Ballantyne’s “Coral Island” and Golding’s Island in “Lord of the Flies”
• Attitude Towards Children in the Story “Lord of the Flies”
• Jack as a Symbol of Savagery and Anarchy in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Description of the Potential for Evil in Everyone as One of the Theme in the Novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Evil in Humanity in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Savagery and the Beast Theme in “Lord of the Flies”
• The Fall of Civilization Into Savagery in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• An Allegory of Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis Theory in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• A Literary Analysis of the Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Comparison Between the Movie and Novel “Lord of the Flies”
• Abuse of Power and the Effect of Tyrannical Leadership Between “Lord of the Flies” and “The Chrysalids”
• Fear of the Unknown in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Comparison of “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding and “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles on Peer Pressure
• Internal and External Conflicts in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Importance of the Extract in the Development of the Main Themes in “Lord of the Flies”
• Destructiveness of Jealousy Depicted in “Lord of the Flies” and “Woman Warrior”
• A Demonstration of the Influence and Power of People Over One Another Through the Character of Piggy in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Character of Piggy as the Character Who Most Deserved to Be Saved in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• The Role of Government in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Moral Consequences in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• The Symbolism of Power in “Lord of the Flies”
• An Analysis of Human Behavior in “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Lord of the Flies”
• Changes in the Conception of God in “Lord of the Flies”
• Inate Evil in “To Kill a Mocking Bird” and “Lord of the Flies”
• A Look at Disturbing Events Highlighted in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• Allegory of Social Dissolution “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Ralph as a Good Leader in “Lord of the Flies”
• An Analysis of Democratic and Authoritarian Power in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Leaders and Leadership in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Golding’s Pessimistic View on People and Society in His Book “Lord of the Flies”
• Analyzing the Themes of Innocence and Fear in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• A Description of the Occurrence of Civilization in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Importance of the Beast in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”: A Dream of a Deserted Island Into Reality
• Adventures, Conflicts, and Struggles in “Lord of the Flies”
• Good and Evil in Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Failure of Paradise in Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• Immorality of Human Nature Depicted in Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• Formation of Rules and Perception of Civilisation in “Lord of the Flies”
• How Golding Presents the Decline From Civilisation to Savagery in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Does Piggy Symbolize in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Second World War Reflect on “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Ideas About Human Nature and Behavior Golding Was Trying to Express in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Does the Plane Crash Symbolize in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Present the Character of Jack in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Express His Ideas About Leadership in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Roger Change in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding?
• How the Society Suppresses Evil in the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Create a Setting in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Author Present Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Show Evil at Work in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Anybody Could Regress Into Savagery in Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Is the Author’s Characterisation and Language Attributed to the Novel of the “Lord of the Flies”?
• Why Did William Golding Name His Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Present Death in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Setting Affect the Story “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Children Are Treated in the Story of “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Make the Physical World Seem Important in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Is Ralph’s Attitude Toward Piggy in the First Chapter of “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Many Boys Are in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Golding Creates Tension in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Opening Prepare the Reader for the Rest of the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• Why the Boys Were Doomed to Fail in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Influenced William Golding to Write “Lord of the Flies”?
• Ways That Golding Presents the Island in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Golding Uses Symbols in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Use the Setting to Develop the Main Theme of His Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Piggy’s Character Develop Through Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Ruined Ralph and Jack’s Friendship in “Lord of the Flies”?
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Essays on Lord of The Flies

Choosing the right essay topic is a crucial step in your academic journey. It's an opportunity to explore your creativity, delve into personal interests, and engage with the themes and ideas presented in the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding. We aim to provide you with a variety of essay topics, introduction paragraph examples, and conclusion paragraph examples for different essay types. Remember, a well-chosen topic can make your essay more engaging and insightful.

Essay Types and Topics

Argumentative essays.

In argumentative essays, you'll analyze and present arguments related to the novel. Here are some topic examples:

• 1. The role of fear in the descent into savagery on the island.
• 2. The symbolism of the "beast" in Lord of the Flies and its impact on the characters.

Example Introduction Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay: In William Golding's Lord of the Flies , the pervasive fear among the stranded boys serves as a catalyst for their descent into savagery. This essay explores the profound influence of fear on the characters and the consequences it has on their civilization, ultimately demonstrating the fragile nature of human society on the isolated island.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay: In conclusion, the exploration of fear in Lord of the Flies highlights its ability to unravel the thin threads of civilization. Through the lens of Golding's narrative, we see how fear can lead individuals to abandon reason and morality. As we reflect on this gripping tale, we must consider the implications of fear in our own lives and societies, striving for a world where humanity remains steadfast in the face of adversity.

Compare and Contrast Essays

In compare and contrast essays, you'll examine the similarities and differences within the novel or between it and other literary works. Consider these topics:

• 1. Compare and contrast the leadership styles of Ralph and Jack.
• 2. Analyze the parallels between Lord of the Flies and George Orwell's Animal Farm in terms of power and control.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Compare and Contrast Essay: The comparison between the leadership styles of Ralph and Jack in William Golding's Lord of the Flies provides valuable insights into the dynamics of human leadership and its consequences. This essay delves into the contrasting approaches taken by these two characters and their impact on the island's civilization.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Compare and Contrast Essay: In conclusion, the juxtaposition of Ralph's democratic leadership and Jack's authoritarian rule in Lord of the Flies serves as a powerful commentary on the complexities of human governance. By examining these characters in parallel, we gain a deeper understanding of leadership dynamics and their consequences both in fiction and the real world.

Descriptive Essays

Descriptive essays in the context of Lord of the Flies allow you to vividly depict settings, characters, or events. Here are some topic ideas:

• 1. Describe the lush beauty of the island in detail.
• 2. Paint a picture of the transformation in the appearance and behavior of the characters as they descend into savagery.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Descriptive Essay: The lush and untouched beauty of the island in William Golding's Lord of the Flies serves as a captivating backdrop for the unfolding drama of the stranded boys. This essay aims to provide a sensory and detailed exploration of the island, evoking the senses and immersing the reader in its natural wonders.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Descriptive Essay: In conclusion, the vivid description of the island in Lord of the Flies not only serves as a beautiful canvas but also mirrors the fragile balance of nature and humanity. Through this exploration, we are reminded of the profound connection between our environment and our actions.

Persuasive Essays

Persuasive essays allow you to argue a point of view related to the novel. Consider these persuasive topic examples:

• 1. Persuade your readers that the conch shell symbolizes the only hope for order and civilization on the island.
• 2. Argue for or against the idea that the boys' descent into savagery is inevitable given their circumstances.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Persuasive Essay: The conch shell in William Golding's Lord of the Flies has been a symbol of order and democracy. This essay takes a persuasive stance in advocating for the significance of the conch as the beacon of hope for maintaining civilization and harmony on the isolated island.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Persuasive Essay: In conclusion, the persuasive argument in favor of the conch shell as a symbol of order and civilization underscores the importance of symbols in society and their ability to rally individuals around shared values. As we reflect on the power of the conch, we are reminded of the delicate balance between chaos and order in the human experience.

Narrative Essays

Narrative essays offer you the opportunity to tell a story or share personal experiences related to the themes of Lord of the Flies . Explore these narrative essay topics:

• 1. Narrate your own survival story as a character stranded on the same island as the boys in the novel.
• 2. Share a personal experience where you faced a moral dilemma similar to those encountered by the characters in the story.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Narrative Essay: Imagine finding yourself on the same remote island as the characters in William Golding's Lord of the Flies . In this narrative essay, we embark on a journey where I, as a fellow survivor, recount the challenges and moral dilemmas faced while striving for survival and maintaining humanity in our isolated microcosm.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Narrative Essay: In conclusion, the narrative of my survival journey on the island parallels the timeless themes explored by Golding in Lord of the Flies . It serves as a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the constant struggle to balance our innate instincts with our moral compass. Through this narrative, we are reminded of the enduring relevance of these themes in our lives.

The Symbolic Significance of The Pig's Head on a Stick in Lord of The Flies

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Jack Merridew: The Descent into Savagery

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Depiction of Humans as Inherently Evil in The Lord of The Flies

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The Ralph's Leadership in The Lord of The Flies by William Golding

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17 September 1954, William Golding

Allegorical novel

Ralph, Piggy, Jack, Simon, twins Sam and Eric

William Golding wrote "Lord of the Flies" as a response and counterpoint to R.M. Ballantyne's youth novel "The Coral Island" published in 1857. While Ballantyne's novel presented a romanticized portrayal of young boys stranded on an uninhabited island, depicting them as cooperative and civilized, Golding sought to challenge this idealistic view. Golding was dissatisfied with the notion that children, when left to their own devices, would naturally form a harmonious and idyllic society. He believed that human nature was inherently flawed and prone to darkness and savagery, even in the absence of adult supervision. "Lord of the Flies" served as a critique of the optimistic perspective presented in "The Coral Island," aiming to explore the potential for moral degradation and the loss of innocence in a primal environment.

Innocence, Friendship, Childhood, Fear, Anger, Allegories.

The story follows a group of British boys who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes during a wartime evacuation. Without any adult supervision, the boys must establish their own society and survive until rescue arrives. Initially, the boys attempt to create order and maintain a sense of civilization by electing a leader, Ralph, and establishing rules. However, as time passes, the inherent savagery within some of the boys begins to emerge. Jack, the antagonist, gradually rebels against Ralph's leadership and forms his own tribe, indulging in hunting and violence. The conflict between Ralph and Jack symbolizes the battle between order and chaos, reason and instinct. As the boys succumb to their primal instincts, they gradually lose their sense of morality and descent into brutality. The novel explores themes of power, the loss of innocence, and the darkness that resides within all individuals. Ultimately, the arrival of a naval officer interrupts the boys' descent into savagery, revealing the horrors they have unleashed upon themselves.

"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is set on a deserted tropical island in the midst of an unspecified global war. The location remains undisclosed, allowing the focus to be on the boys' struggle for survival rather than the specific geopolitical context. The island itself is described as a paradise, with its lush vegetation, beautiful beaches, and abundant resources. The island serves as an isolated microcosm where the boys' behavior unfolds without the influence of adult society. It becomes a blank canvas upon which the boys project their own fears, desires, and conflicts. The absence of adults and external authority creates a vacuum that allows the boys to establish their own social order and rules.

Symbolism (the conch shell, the signal fire, the beast, etc.), allegory (the boys' descent into savagery and the struggle for power), foreshadowing (the appearance of the sow's head), irony, imagery.

"Lord of the Flies" has had a significant influence on literature and popular culture since its publication. The novel's exploration of the darkness within human nature and its commentary on the fragility of civilization continue to resonate with readers worldwide. One notable influence of "Lord of the Flies" is its impact on dystopian and post-apocalyptic literature. The story's portrayal of a society descending into chaos and the exploration of power dynamics have influenced numerous works in this genre, such as Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale." The novel has also had a profound influence on the study of human behavior and psychology. It raises important questions about the nature of evil, the role of society in shaping individuals, and the impact of isolation on human relationships. These themes have sparked discussions and academic analyses across disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and philosophy. Furthermore, "Lord of the Flies" has become a cultural touchstone, frequently referenced in various forms of media, including films, television shows, and music. Its enduring popularity and ability to provoke introspection and critical thinking contribute to its ongoing influence in contemporary society.

One notable adaptation of "Lord of the Flies" is the 1963 film directed by Peter Brook, which brought the story to life on the big screen. The film received critical acclaim for its raw portrayal of the boys' descent into savagery and its faithful adaptation of the novel's themes. The novel has also inspired theatrical productions, with stage adaptations being performed in different parts of the world. These adaptations provide a unique opportunity to experience the story in a live setting, further emphasizing the intensity and psychological depth of the narrative. Furthermore, the influence of "Lord of the Flies" can be seen in popular culture references, such as television shows, music, and literature. Its impact has sparked discussions and inspired creative works that explore similar themes of civilization, power, and human nature.

1. William Golding expressed dissatisfaction with his own work, describing his novel as dull and unrefined, a sentiment he later expressed in interviews and private conversations. 2. The impact of "Lord of the Flies" extends globally, as the book has been translated into more than 30 languages, allowing readers from diverse cultures to engage with its themes and messages. 3. Before finding a publishing home, "Lord of the Flies" faced considerable rejection, with publishers rejecting the manuscript a staggering 21 times. This highlights the initial challenges Golding faced in getting his work recognized. 4. Esteemed author Stephen King has publicly expressed his admiration for "Lord of the Flies," identifying it as one of his favorite books. King's endorsement speaks to the lasting influence and appeal of Golding's work. 5. "Lord of the Flies" has served as a source of inspiration for a range of musicians across different genres, including rap and metal. Bands like Iron Maiden have drawn inspiration from the novel, incorporating its themes and imagery into their music. 6. "Lord of the Flies" holds a significant place among the most banned books in the United States. Its exploration of dark themes and depiction of violence has led to challenges and attempts to restrict its availability in educational settings.

“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.” “The thing is - fear can't hurt you any more than a dream.” “Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us.” “What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?” “We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.”

The novel "Lord of the Flies" holds a significant place in literary discourse and continues to captivate readers across generations. Exploring timeless themes of human nature, morality, power, and civilization, it presents a compelling narrative that provokes introspection and critical analysis. Writing an essay about "Lord of the Flies" allows one to delve into the complexities of human behavior, the fragility of societal structures, and the potential for darkness within individuals. The novel's depiction of the descent into savagery and the loss of innocence offers a profound examination of the human condition. Moreover, "Lord of the Flies" serves as a cautionary tale, urging readers to reflect on the consequences of unchecked power, societal breakdown, and the thin veneer of civilization. It prompts discussions on leadership, group dynamics, and the inherent conflicts that arise in challenging circumstances. By exploring the multifaceted layers of the story, an essay on "Lord of the Flies" allows students to sharpen their critical thinking skills, analyze complex themes, and engage in meaningful conversations about the darker aspects of human nature and society. It remains a relevant and thought-provoking piece of literature that invites examination and interpretation from various perspectives.

1. Bhalla, R., & Kowalski, C. (2017). What Lord of the Flies teaches us about primitive defence mechanisms and societal discontent. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/what-lord-of-the-flies-teaches-us-about-primitive-defence-mechanisms-and-societal-discontent/348B50D2158ABAC55B3E94B2DB6F20BA The British Journal of Psychiatry, 210(3), 189-189. 2. Tippetts, C. S. (1926). The End of the Par Collection Litigation. The American Economic Review, 16(4), 610–621. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/2) 3. Alnajm, A. L. (2015). The main themes in Lord of the Flies. International Journal of English and Literature, 6(6), 98-102. (https://academicjournals.org/journal/IJEL/article-full-text/011E73A53478) 4. Gilfillan, James (1963) "Review: "Lord of the Flies"," Calliope (1954-2001): Vol. 10 , Article 25. (https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/calliope/vol10/iss1/25) 5. Arnold Kruger (1999) Golding's Lord of the Flies, The Explicator, 57:3, 167-169. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00144949909596859?journalCode=vexp20) 6. Chougule, R. B., & Hanash, M. M. SCARCE LIFE BETWEEN LEADERSHIP AND NATURE OF SAVAGERY IN WILLIAM GOLDING'S LORD OF THE FLIES. (https://www.literaryendeavour.org/files/9x6upa7d5i55pltczctm/2020-01%2007%20SCARCE%20LIFE%20BETWEEN%20LEADERSHIP%20AND%20NATURE%20OF%20SAVAGERY%20IN%20WILLIAM%20GOLDING%E2%80%99S%20LORD%20OF%20THE%20FLIES%20%20-%20Dr.%20R.%20B.%20Chougule%20&%20Manee%20M.%20Hanash.pdf) 7. Kabra, S. (2021). Lord of the Flies: International Intellectual Property Laws. UC Davis J. Int'l L. & Pol'y, 28, 1. (https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/ucdl28&div=4&id=&page=) 8. Burgess, J. (1963). Lord of the Flies by Peter Brook, Lewis Allen, Dana Hodgdon. (https://online.ucpress.edu/fq/article-abstract/17/2/31/38032/Review-Lord-of-the-Flies-by-Peter-Brook-Lewis)

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Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

Sample Essay Outlines

The following paper topics are designed to test your understanding of the novel as a whole and your ability to analyze important themes and literary devices. Following each question is a sample outline to help get you started.

The characters’ loss of identity is a predominant theme of the book. Discuss each of the main characters’ loss of identity as the book progresses, and how this brings about the devastation that occurs in the book.

Outline I. Thesis statement: The main characters in Lord of the Flies experience a loss of identity throughout the book that eventually causes the devastation and death that prevail.

II. Ralph A. His original view of the island as a paradise B. His leadership qualities and ideas C. Ineffective leadership D. Inability to remember his purpose E. His own minor digressions into savagery

III. Piggy A. Piggy’s introduction and the significance of his naming B. The rejection and acceptance of his ideas C. Piggy’s changing relationship with Ralph D. Piggy’s symbolic descent into blindness

IV. Jack Merridew A. Jack’s original role on the island B. Jack’s leadership qualities C. The gradual symbolic camouflage D. Jack’s twisted vision

V. Roger A. Roger’s initial description B. Roger’s bizarre behavioral tendencies unfettered by civilized restraint C. Roger’s emerging role in Jack’s tribe

VI. Conclusion: Why the characters’ loss of their civilized identities support Golding’s theory that the problems with mankind are inherent in man.

Beelzebub, the demon of chaos, is also known as The Lord of the Flies . Though this is not referred to directly in the book, chaos, violence, anarchy, and destruction are central images in the book. Trace the characters’ relationships to The Lord of the Flies in the book, particularly as it is physically represented by the pig’s head impaled on a stick.

Outline I. Thesis statement: Each of the main characters in Lord of the Flies has a significant relationship with “the beast” on the island that is connected with the emerging scenes of violence on the island and their fates.

II. Ralph A. Leader and champion of civilization B. Opposite of Jack C. Minor forays into violence, anarchy, or chaos 1. Standing the boar’s charge and participating in the dance 2. Fighting with Jack 3. Forgetting his purpose D. Major forays into violence, anarchy, or chaos 1. His role in Simon’s death 2. Battling his attackers E. Ralph’s inability to destroy The Lord of the Flies 1. His encounter with the skull 2. Loss of control on the island

III. Jack A. His increasing desire to hunt B. His decreasing desire for responsibility C. His increasing desire for power D. Denunciation of the conch E. Harbinger of anarchy 1. His own tribe on Castle Rock 2. His own brand of leadership 3. The hunt for Ralph

IV. Piggy A. Intellect vs. manual labor B. Frail belief in the conch C. Inability to accept chaos D. Victim of violence

V. Simon A. Understanding the nature of the beast B. Discussions with the pig’s head 1. Talking from within himself 2. Falling into the pig’s mouth C. The inability to express the truth D. Looking into the face of the beast E. Victim of violence

VI. Roger A. The emerging sadist B. Behavioral abnormalities 1. Descriptions of his eager embracing of the collapse of authority C. Champion of anarchy

VII. Conclusion: Sum up the boys’ relationships with “the beast” in terms of their fates.

A subtle thematic device in the book is Golding’s use of point of view to establish character and motives. Trace the book’s shifting point of view in these terms.

Outline I. Thesis statement: Though Ralph is the main character of Lord of the Flies , and much of the story is told from his point of view, Golding also reveals his narrative through other characters, most notably Jack and Simon, as well as an omnipresent narrator. These separate views help to establish both character and theme.

II. Ralph A. The novel’s predominant point of view B. Plain, descriptive prose C. Prose lapses into poetical visions

III. Jack A. The hunter’s perspective B. Motivations for anarchy C. What kind of language?

IV. Simon A. The poetical view of the island B. Character through vision C. Introspection

V. Ralph, Jack, Simon A. The significance of the candle-buds

VI. Omnipresent narrator A. Instances of B. Purpose of C. Prose style of

VII. Conclusion: Even more than a narrative device, Golding’s shifting narration serves an integral function in the novel.

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Lord of the Flies: Interpretations

Lord of the Flies , William Golding's first novel, was published in London in 1954 and in New York in 1955. Golding was forty-three years old when he wrote the novel, having served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. According to Bernard Oldsey, "The war appears to have been an important influence on him."

Lord of the Flies is deliberately modeled after R. M. Ballantyne's 1857 novel The Coral Island . In this story, a group of English boys are shipwrecked on a tropical island. They work hard together to save themselves. The only evil in the book is external and is personified by a tribe of cannibals that live on the island. The book offers a Victorian view of the world: through hard work and earnestness, one can overcome any hardship.

By giving his characters the same names as those in Ballantyne's book and by making direct reference to The Coral Island in the text of Lord of the Flies , Golding clearly wants readers to see his book as a response to the Victorian world view. Golding's view is a much bleaker one: the evil on the island is internal, not external. At the end of the book, the adult naval officer who invokes The Coral Island almost serves as Ballantyne's voice-"I should have thought that a pack of British boys— you're all British, aren't you?—would have been able to put up a better show than that." Golding's understanding of the world, colored by his own experiences in World War II is better represented by Ralph's weeping "for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy."

Initially, critics commented less on the novel as a work of art than on its political, religious, and psychological symbolism. For example, James Stern in a 1955 review for The New York Times Book Review wrote " Lord of the Flies is an allegory on human society today, the novel's primary implication being that what we have come to call civilization is at best no more than skin deep."

Indeed, many critics have argued that Lord of the Flies is an allegory. An allegory is a story in which characters, setting, objects, and plot stand for a meaning outside of the story itself. Frequently, the writers of allegory illustrate an abstract meaning by the use of concrete images. For example George Orwell in Animal Farm, uses animals and the barnyard as concrete representations of the Russian Revolution. Often, characters in allegories personify some abstract quality. In the medieval drama Everyman, for instance, the concrete character Everyman stands for all of humanity.

While it is possible to read Lord of the Flies as allegory, the work is so complex that it can be read as allegorizing the political state of the world in the postwar period; as a Freudian psychological understanding of human kind; or as the Christian understanding of the fall of humankind, among others.

As a political allegory, each character in Lord of the Flies represents some abstract idea of government. Ralph, for example, stands for the good-hearted but not entirely effective leader of a democratic state, a ruler who wants to rule by law derived from the common consent. Piggy is his adviser, someone who is unable to rule because of his own social and physical shortcomings, but who is able to offer sound advice to the democratic leader. Jack, on the other hand, represents a totalitarian dictator, a ruler who appeals to the emotional responses of his followers. He rules by charisma and hysteria. Roger, the boy who takes the most joy in the slaughter of the pigs and who hurls the rock that kills Piggy, represents the henchman necessary for such a totalitarian ruler to stay in power.

Such a reading takes into account the state of the world at the end of the World War II. For many years, leaders such as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt led democratic countries against totalitarian demigods such as Germany's Adolf Hitler and Italy's Benito Mussolini. Further, in the early 1950s, the world appeared to be divided into two camps: the so-called Free World of Western Europe and the United States, and the so-called Iron Curtain world of communist eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. At the time of the writing of Lord of the Flies , the world appeared to be teetering on the brink of total nuclear annihilation. Thus, by taking into account the historical context of Lord of the Flies , it is possible to understand the work as political and historical allegory, even as a cautionary tale for the leaders of the world.

Freudian psychological critics, on the other hand, are able to read Lord of the Flies as an allegory of the human psychology. In such a reading, each of the characters personifies a different aspect of the human psyche: the id, the super ego, and the ego. According to Freud, the id (located in the unconscious mind) works always to gratify its own impulses. These impulses, often sexual, seek to provide pleasure without regard to the cost. Jack's impulse to hunt and kill reaches its peak with the killing of the sow pig, a killing rife with sexual overtones. Jack never considers anything but his own pleasure; thus he can be considered an allegorical representation of the id. The superego is the part of the mind that seeks to control the impulsive behavior of the id. It acts as an internal censor. In Lord of the Flies , Piggy serves this role. He constantly reminds Ralph of their need to keep the fire burning and to take proper responsibility for the littluns. By so doing, he urges Ralph to control Jack. Piggy understands that Jack hates him, because he stands between Jack and his achievement of pleasure. Further, just as the superego must employ the ego to control the id, Piggy cannot control Jack on his own; he must rely on Ralph to do so. Finally, the ego is the conscious mind whose role it is to mediate between the id's demand for pleasure and the social pressures brought to bear by the superego. Freud calls this mediation process the reality principal; that is, the notion that immediate pleasure must be denied in order to avoid painful or deadly consequences. Ralph clearly fills this role. He attempts to control Jack and engage his energy for the tending of the fire. To do so requires him to put off the pleasure of the hunt in order to secure rescue. In a Freudian reading of The Lord of the Flies , Golding seems to be saying that without the reinforcement of social norms, the id will control the psyche.

Finally, it is possible to read Lord of the Flies as a religious allegory. In such a reading, the tropical island, filled with fruit and everything needed for sustenance, becomes a symbol of the Garden of Eden. The initial identification of the beastie as a snake also brings to mind the story of the Fall of Man. Indeed, it is possible to read the fall of the parachutist as the event which leads to the ouster from Eden of the boys. Further, Jack's identification with hunting and Ralph's identification with shelter as well as their natural antagonism appear to be allegorization of the Cain and Abel story. Indeed, it is only the intercession of the adult who comes looking for them which saves Ralph from murder. Many critics have attempted to read Simon as a Christ figure; he is the one boy who has the true knowledge which can save them. Like Christ, he is martyred. Unlike Christ, however, his death seems to have no significance for the boys; his knowledge dies with him.

More recently, critics have recognized the technical and artistic skill exhibited by Golding in Lord of the Flies . Especially notable is the way in which Golding fuses allegorical structure with strong, realistic descriptions, well-developed characterizations, and a coherent, fast moving plot. The description of the death of Piggy, for example, demonstrates Golding's skill with realistic, graphic prose:

The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning over as he went. The rock bounded twice and was lost in the forest. Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea. His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy's arms and legs twitched a bit, like a pig's after it has been killed. Then the sea breathed again in a long, slow sigh, the water boiled white and pink over the rock; and when it went, sucking back again, the body of Piggy was gone.

Golding also provides strong characterizations. While it is possible to see each boy fulfilling an allegorical role, none of the characters (with the possible exception of Simon) functions solely as part of the allegory. This can perhaps best be seen in the development of Jack. During the first trip into the jungle, he is unable to kill the pig with his knife; by the end of the book he is hunting human quarry. Jack's growth from choirboy to murderer is accomplished with great skill.

Finally, Golding writes a fast-moving, suspenseful adventure story. The book moves quickly from the first days on the beach to the final hunt scene, reaching a feverish pitch that is broken abruptly by the appearance of the naval officer, just as it appears that Ralph will be killed. While the appearance of the adult, however, closes the action, it does not provide us with a happy ending. Indeed, at the moment of the climax of the adventure story, Golding suddenly reminds us of the allegorical nature of the book: the naval officer's cruiser is a weapon of war. Although we feel relief over Ralph's rescue, we suddenly understand that the adult world is little different from the world of the island, a place where men hunt and kill each other indiscriminately, a place where men can blow up the entire planet, our island in the sea of the universe.

Source: Diane Andrews Henningfeld, in an essay for Novels for Students , Gale, 1997. Henningfeld is a professor at Adrian College.

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Teaching Rationale for William Golding's Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies is William Golding's parable of life in the latter half of the twentieth century, the nuclear age, when society seems to have reached technological maturity while human morality is still prepubescent. Whether or not one agrees with the pessimistic philosophy, the idiocentric psychology or the fundamentalist theology espoused by Golding in the novel, if one is to use literature as a "window on the world," this work is one of the panes through which one should look.

The setting for Lord of the Flies is in the literary tradition of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and Johann Wyss's The Swiss Family Robinson, and like these earlier works provides the necessary ingredients for an idyllic utopian interlude. A plane loaded with English school boys, aged five through twelve, is being evacuated to a safe haven in, perhaps, Australia to escape the "Reds," with whom the English are engaged in an atomic war. Somewhere in the tropics the plane is forced to crash land during a violent storm. All the adults on board are lost when the forward section of the plane is carried out to sea by tidal waves. The passenger compartment, fortuitously, skids to a halt on the island, and the young passengers escape uninjured.

The boys find themselves in a tropical paradise: bananas, coconuts and other fruits are profusely available. The sea proffers crabs and occasional fish in tidal pools, all for the taking. The climate is benign. Thus, the stage is set for an idyllic interlude during which British fortitude will enable the boys to master any possible adversity. In fact, Golding relates that just such a nineteenth century novel, R. M. Ballantyne's Coral Island , was the inspiration for Lord of the Flies . In that utopian story the boy castaways overcame every obstacle they encountered with the ready explanation, "We are British, you know!"

Golding's tropical sojourners, however, do not "live happily ever after." Although they attempt to organize themselves for survival and rescue, conflicts arise as the boys first neglect, then refuse, their assigned tasks. As their "society" fails to build shelters or to keep the signal fire going, fears emanating from within—for their environment is totally non-threatening—take on a larger than life reality. Vines hanging from trees become "snake things" in the imaginings of the "little'uns." A nightmare amidst fretful sleep, causing one of the boys to cry out in the night, conjures up fearful "beasties" for the others. Their fears become more real than existence on the tropical paradise itself when the twins, Sam 'n Eric, report their enervating experience with the wind-tossed body of the dead parachutist. Despite Simon's declaration that "there is no beast, it's only us," and Piggy's disavowal of "ghosts and things," the fear of the unknown overcomes their British reserve and under Jack's all-too-willing chieftainship the boys' retreat from civilization begins.

In the initial encounter with a pig, Jack is unable to overcome his trained aversion to violence to even stake a blow at the animal. Soon, however, he and his choirboys-turned-hunters make their first kill. They rationalize that they must kill the animals for meat. The next step back from civilization occurs and the meat pretext is dropped; the real objective is to work their will on other living things.

Then, killing begins to take on an even more sinister aspect. The first fire the boys build to attract rescuers roars out of control and one of the younger boys is accidentally burned to death. The next death, that of Simon, is not an accident. He is beaten to death when he rushes into the midst of the ritual dance of the young savages. Ironically, he has come to tell the boys that he has discovered that the beast they fear is not real. Then Piggy, the last intellectual link with civilization, is killed on impulse by the sadistic Roger. Last, all semblance of civilized restraint is cast-off as the now-savage tribe of boys organizes itself to hunt down and kill their erstwhile leader, Ralph, who had tried desperately to prepare them to carry on in the fashion expected of upper middle-class British youth.

That Golding intended Lord of the Flies as a paradigm for modern civilization is concretely evident at the conclusion of the work. During the final confrontation at the rock fort between Ralph and Piggy and Jack and his tribe, the reader readily forgets that these individuals in conflict are not adults. The manhunt for Ralph, too, seems relative only to the world of adults. The reader is so inclined to lose sight of the age of his characters that Golding must remind that these participants are pre-adolescents: The naval officer who interrupts the deadly manhunt sees "A semicircle of little boys, their bodies streaked with colored clay, sharp sticks in hand. . . ." Unlike that officer, the reader knows that it was not "fun and games" of the boys that the naval officer interrupted. The officer does not realize—as the reader knows—that he has just saved Ralph from a sacrificial death and the other boys from becoming premeditated murderers. Neither is the irony of the situation very subtle: The boys have been "rescued" by an officer from a British man-of-war, which will very shortly resume its official activities as either hunter or hunted in the deadly adult game of war.

Golding, then, in Lord of the Flies is asking the question which continues as the major question haunting the world today: How shall denizens of the earth be rescued from our fears and our own pursuers—ourselves? While Golding offers no ready solutions to our dilemma, an understanding of his parable yields other questions which may enable readers to become seekers in the quest for a moral world. Even if one disagrees with Golding's judgment of the nature of human beings and of human society, one profits from his analysis of the problems confronting people today. . .

Golding is a master at his trade and Lord of the Flies has achieved critical acclaim as the best of his works. Indeed, a dictionary of literary terminology might well be illustrated with specific examples from this piece of prose. The development of the several focal characters in this work is brilliantly and concretely done. In addition, the omniscient narrative technique, plotting, relating story to setting and the use of irony, foreshadowing, and certainly, symbolism are so carefully and concretely accomplished that the work can serve as an invaluable teaching aid to prepare students to read other literature with a degree of understanding far beyond a simplistic knowledge of the surface events of the story. Golding's characterizations will be used in this rationale to illustrate these technical qualities of the novel.

A strength of Lord of the Flies lies in techniques of characterization. There are five major characters who are developed as wholly-rounded individuals whose actions and intensity show complex human motivation: Ralph, Jack, Roger, Simon and Piggy. A study of these characterizations shows the wide range of techniques for developing persona utilized by Golding and by other authors:

Ralph , the protagonist, is a rather befuddled everyman. He is chosen for leadership by the group for all the wrong reasons. Ralph does not seek the leadership role; he is elected because he is older (12 plus), somewhat larger, is attractive in personal appearance and, most strikingly, he possesses the conch shell which reminds the boys of the megaphone with which their late adult supervisors directed and instructed them. In the unsought leadership role Ralph demonstrates courage, intelligence and some diplomatic skill. On the negative side he quickly becomes disillusioned with the democratic process and without Piggy's constant urgings would have cast aside the chiefs role even before Jack's coup d'etat . Ralph also demonstrates other weaknesses as he unthinkingly gives away Piggy's hated nickname and, more significantly, he gets caught up in the mob psychology of the savage dance and takes part in the ritualistic murder of Simon. Thus, by relating causes and effects, Golding reveals Ralph's change from a proper British lad to group leader to his disenchantment and finally to his becoming the object of the murderous hunt by the boys who once chose him as their leader.

Jack , the antagonist, is developed as the forceful villain. Outgoing, cocky and confident, Jack marches his choirboys in military formation up the beach to answer the call of the conch. Jack is a natural leader who, except for his exploitative nature, might have been a congealing force for good. Instead, his lust for power precipitates the conflict with Ralph and Piggy's long-range planning for rescue. To attain leadership, Jack caters to boyish desires for ready delights and after he is assured that his choir boys will follow in this new direction, he resorts to intimidation to increase his following. In Jack, Golding has developed a prototype of the charismatic leader who gains adherents by highlighting the fears and fulfilling the ephemeral needs and desires of followers.

Roger , "the hangman's horror," is a stereotyped character who does not change. He readily sheds a thin veneer of civilization which has been imposed upon him by the authority of the policeman and the law. So easily his arm loses the restraints which had once prohibited him from hitting the littl'uns with tossed rocks to a point where he can kill Piggy on impulse. It is but one more small step for him to proclaim the ritual dance must end in killing and to premeditate the murder of Ralph.

Simon is the quintessential Christ-figure. A thin, frail little boy, subject to fainting spells, he alone has the mental acumen and the courage to go onto the mountain and disprove the existence of the "beast." He is martyred for his efforts by the group which no longer wishes to hear his "good news."

Piggy , the pragmatic intellectual, is of necessity the most steadfast in motivation. He is tied to civilization by his physical weaknesses. Overweight, asthmatic, and completely dependent for sight upon his spectacles, the life of the happy savage has no allure for him. Without the aids of civilization, such as eye glasses and allergy shots, he cannot long survive. Consequently, he must reject the ephemeral allures offered by Jack and steadfastly hold, and seek to hold Ralph, to maintaining the smoke signal, his only hope for the aid and succor of rescue. His steadfastness in this aim enables him to call up the uncharacteristic courage to make the last appeal to Jack and his tribe before the rock fort because "right is right." His plea is to no avail; the sadistic Roger releases the boulder which throws Piggy from the cliff to his death.

Another minor character, Percival Weems Botts, is developed as a stereotype to demonstrate the fragility of rote learning. This "little'un" who can only recite his name and address as a response soon forgets even that as all trappings of civilization are lost by the boys.

Thus, Golding's techniques of characterization afford superior examples of the writer's craft and apt material to use to help students learn to interpret authorial voice and to respond to a piece of literature as a level beyond the denotative.

Lord of the Flies has earned for itself and its author great critical acclaim. It has also been extolled by teachers for the excitement it can engender in readers and as a work in which the motivation of characters is readily understood by adolescent readers. Despite these accolades for the novel as a work of literary art and as a teaching tool, Lord of the Flies has on occasion aroused the ire of would-be censors.

Some have opposed the use of the novel in the classroom because of the use of "vulgar" language. Certain words, notably "sucks," "ass," and the British slang word "bloody," are used. It is patently obvious that there is no prurient motivation behind the author's choice of these words. Not one of these words is ever used outside of a context in which the word appears to be quite naturally the word the character would use. The choir boys may well sing like "angels," as is stated; nevertheless, these are perfectly normal pre-adolescent boys. Given the proclivities of such youth the world over, verisimilitude would be lost had they, amongst themselves, always spoken like angels.

The sexual symbolism of the killing of the sow has also raised some puritanical brows. This violent scene is described in terms which might well be used to describe a rape. Such symbolism is fully justified, however, if the author is to be allowed to make his point that the motivation of the boys, casting away the cloak of civilization, is no longer merely securing food. Rather, they have moved from serving practical needs to an insane lust for working their will upon other creatures. The next step is the slaughter of their own kind.

Objection, too, has come upon that very point: children killing children. One must remind those who object to this violence that this piece of literature is a parable. Children are specifically used to show that even the innocence of childhood can be corrupted by fears from within. Those who would deny Golding this mode of establishing his theme would deny to all authors the right to make their point in an explicit fashion.

The most vociferous denunciation of Lord of the Flies has been vocalized by those who have misread the book to the point that they believe it deals with Satanism. The symbolism of the title, which is the English translation of the Greek word "Beelzebub," is surely being misinterpreted by such folk. In fact, theologian Davis Anderson states unequivocally that "Golding is a Christian writer." Anderson defines the central theme of Lord of the Flies as a statement of what it is like to experience the fall from innocence into sin and to experience damnation. Thus, a theologian sees the novel as one dealing with the Christian doctrine of original sin and of the rupture of man's relationship with God. Consequently, one who would attack this novel as an exercise in Satanism assuredly holds an indefensible premise.

Source: Paul Slayton, "Teaching Rationale for William Golding's Lord of the Flies ," in Censored Books: Critical Viewpoints , Nicholas J. Karolides, Lee Burress, John M. Kean, eds., The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1993, pp 351-57.

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Placing a group of English schoolboys on a deserted tropical island sets up a what-if situation. The novel presumes an atomic war that threatens to wipe out civilization and a small group of children managing to survive on a previously uninhabited island. Its asks whether such children will re-create the democratic civilization they have experienced during their short lives or instead, because of animal survival instincts, revert to some precivilized form of existence. Finally, if children do slough off the veneer of cultural and ethical standards of conduct, the novel raises the question of the conclusions to be reached concerning human nature.

Lord of the Flies , William Golding’s first published novel, apparently did not appeal to the many editors who rejected it. Once it was published in England, however, it achieved immediate success. In this work, the author expresses his feelings after having spent World War II as a naval officer and having witnessed the devastations of that war. These wartime experiences underlie his basic disillusionment with humanity, expressed in this fable of children losing their innocence and precociously assuming adult guilt. Although Golding continued to express his feelings and questions about the nature of existence in other novels, he never achieved the success of this early venture.

The power of Lord of the Flies stems in part from the credibility of the dialogue and conduct of the young characters. The complexity of the characters avoids the oversimplification that this parable-like story otherwise supports. Boys experimenting with behavior when there are no adults to set limits, seeing rock formations as a castle fortress, and seeking emotional support in friendships all appeal to the reader.

The plausibility of the futuristic conditions, in which life choices must be made by survivors of an atomic war, is maintained by the gradual change in the conduct of the boys. Although their initial choices support the democratic lifestyle they have experienced, they slip into swimming in the lagoon rather than helping to build shelters, into neglecting the fire in order to join in the hunt for meat, into submitting to Jack’s autocratic leadership, and finally into hunting another human being.

One of the catalysts Golding uses in Lord of the Flies and The Inheritors (1955), his second novel, is refutation of the worldview expressed in an earlier and popular work. Lord of the Flies challenges the unrealistic outlook expressed in The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean (1858), by Robert Michael Ballantyne. That Victorian adventure novel features three boys marooned on an island with pirates and cannibals. The boys cheerfully maintain their Christian moral outlook and gentleman’s manners until they are able to escape. The Inheritors refutes H. G. Wells’s The Outline of History (1920), which expresses an optimistic belief in rationalism and progress.

Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Literature. The presenter of this award noted that “Golding’s novels and stories are not only . . . dark myths about evil and treacherous, destructive forces. They are also colorful tales of adventure, full of narrative joy, inventiveness, and excitement.”

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The Coral Island Revisited

One interested in finding about Golding for oneself should probably begin with Lord of the Flies . . . . The story is simple. In a way not clearly explained, a group of children, all boys, presumably evacuees in a future war, are dropped from a plane just before it is destroyed, on to an uninhabited tropical island. The stage is thus set for a reworking of a favorite subject in children's literature: castaway children assuming adult responsibilities without adult supervision. Golding expects his readers to recall the classic example of such a book, R. M. Ballantyne's The Coral Island (1857), where the boys rise to the occasion and behave as admirably as would adults. But in Lord of the Flies everything goes wrong from the beginning. A few boys representing sanity and common sense, led by Ralph and Piggy, see the necessity for maintaining a signal fire to attract a rescue. But they are thwarted by the hunters, led by red-haired Jack, whose lust for blood is finally not to be satisfied by killing merely wild pigs. Only the timely arrival of a British cruiser saves us from an ending almost literally too horrible to think about. Since Golding is using a naive literary form to express sophisticated reflections on the nature of man and society, and since he refers obliquely to Ballantyne many times throughout the book, a glance at The Coral Island is appropriate.

Ballantyne shipwrecks his three boys—Jack, eighteen; Ralph, the narrator, aged fifteen; and Peterkin Gay, a comic sort of boy, aged thirteen— somewhere in the South Seas on an uninhabited coral island. Jack is a natural leader, but both Ralph and Peterkin have abilities valuable for survival. Jack has the most common sense and foresight, but Peterkin turns out to be a skillful killer of pigs, and Ralph when later in the book he is temporarily separated from his friends and alone on a schooner, coolly navigates it back to Coral Island by dead reckoning, a feat sufficiently impressive, if not quite equal to Captain Bligh's. The boys' life on the island is idyllic; and they are themselves without malice or wickedness, though there are a few curious episodes in which Ballantyne seems to hint at something he himself understands as little as do his characters. One is Peterkin's wanton killing of an old sow, useless as food, which the boy rationalizes by saying he needs leather for shoes. This and one or two other passages suggest that Ballantyne was aware of some darker aspects of boyish nature, but for the most part he emphasizes the paradisiacal life of the happy castaways. Like Golding's, however, Ballantyne's story raises the problem of evil, but whereas Golding finds evil in the boys' own natures, it comes to Ballantyne's boys not from within themselves but from the outside world. Tropical nature, to be sure, is kind, but the men of this non-Christian world are bad. For example, the island is visited by savage cannibals, one canoeful pursuing another, who fight a cruel and bloody battle, observed by the horrified boys, and then go away. A little later the island is again visited, this time by pirates (i.e., white men who have renounced or scorned their Christian heritage), who succeed in capturing Ralph. In due time the pirates are deservedly destroyed, and in the final episode of the book the natives undergo an unmotivated conversion to Christianity which effects a total change in their nature just in time to rescue the boys from their clutches.

Thus Ballantyne's view of man is seen to be optimistic, like his view of English boys' pluck and resourcefulness, which subdues tropical islands as triumphantly as England imposes empire and religion on lawless breeds of men. Golding's naval officer, the deus ex machina of Lord of the Flies , is only echoing Ballantyne when, perceiving dimly that all has not gone well on the island, he says: "I should have thought that a pack of British boys— you're all British aren't you?—would have been able to put up a better show than that—I mean—"

This is not the only echo of the older book. Golding boldly calls his two chief characters Jack and Ralph. He reproduces the comic Peterkin in the person of Piggy. He has a wanton killing of a wild pig, accomplished, as E. L. Epstein points out, "in terms of sexual intercourse." He uses a storm to avert a quarrel between Jack and Ralph, as Ballantyne used a hurricane to rescue his boys from death at the hands of cannibals. He emphasizes physical cruelty but integrates it into his story, and by making it a real if deplorable part of human, or at least boyish, nature improves on Ballantyne, whose descriptions of brutality—never of course performed by the boys—are usually introduced merely for their sensational effect. Finally, on the last page Golding's officer calls Ralph mildly to task for not having organized things better.

"It was like that at first," said Ralph, "before things—" He stopped. "We were together then—" The officer nodded helpfully. "I know Jolly good show. Like The Coral Island ."

Golding invokes Ballantyne, so that the kind but uncomprehending adult, the instrument of salvation, may recall to the child who has just gone through hell, the naivete of the child's own early innocence, now forever lost; but he suggests at the same time the inadequacy of Ballantyne's picture of human nature in primitive surroundings.

Golding, then, regards Ballantyne's book as a badly falsified map of reality, yet the only map of this particular reality that many of us have. Ralph has it and, through harrowing experiences, replaces it with a more accurate one. The naval officer, though he should know better, since he is on the scene and should not have to rely on memories of his boyhood reading, has it, and it seems unlikely that he is ever going to alter it, for his last recorded action is to turn away from the boys and look at his "trim" cruiser, in other words to turn away from a revelation of the untidy human heart to look at something manufactured, manageable, and solidly useful.

Golding, who being a grammar-school teacher should know boys well, gives a corrective of Ballantyne's optimism. As he has explained, the book is "an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature." These defects turn out, on close examination, to result from the evil of inadequacy and mistakenness. Evil is not the positive and readily identifiable force it appears to be when embodied in Ballantyne's savages and pirates. Golding's Ralph, for example, has real abilities, most conspicuous among them the gift of leadership and a sense of responsibility toward the "littluns." Yet both are incomplete. "By now," writes Golding, "Ralph had no self-consciousness in public thinking but would treat the day's decisions as though he were playing chess." Such detachment is obviously an important and valuable quality in a leader, but significantly the next sentence reads: "The only trouble was that he would never be a very good chess player. " Piggy on the other hand no doubt would have been a good chess player, for with a sense of responsibility still more acute than Ralph's he combines brains and common sense. Physically, however, he is ludicrous— fat, asthmatic, and almost blind without his specs. He is forever being betrayed by his body. At his first appearance he is suffering from diarrhoea; his last gesture is a literally brainless twitch of the limbs, "like a pig's after it has been killed." His further defect is that he is powerless, except as he works through Ralph. Though Piggy is the first to recognize the value of the conch and even shows Ralph how to blow it to summon the first assembly, he cannot sound it himself. And he lacks imagination. Scientifically minded as he is, he scorns what is intangible and he dismisses the possibility of ghosts or an imaginary beast. "Cos things wouldn't make sense. Houses an' streets, an'— TV—they wouldn't work." Of course he is quite right, save that he forgets he is now on an island where the artifacts of the civilization he has always known are meaningless.

It is another important character, Simon, who understands that there may indeed be a beast, even if not a palpable one—"maybe it's only us " The scientist Piggy has recognized it is possible to be frightened of people, but he finds this remark of Simon's dangerous nonsense. Still Simon is right, as we see from his interview with the sow's head on a stake, which is the lord of the flies. He is right that the beast is in the boys themselves, and he alone discovers that what has caused their terror is in reality a dead parachutist ironically stifled in the elaborate clothing worn to guarantee survival. But Simon's failure is the inevitable failure of the mystic—what he knows is beyond words; he cannot impart his insights to others. Having an early glimpse of the truth, he cannot tell it,

Simon became inarticulate in his effort to express mankind's essential illness. Inspiration came to him. "What's the dirtiest thing there is?" As an answer Jack dropped into the uncomprehending silence that followed it the one crude expressive syllable. Release was like an orgasm. Those littluns who had climbed back on the twister fell off again and did not mind. The hunters were screaming with delight. Simon's effort fell about him in ruins; the laughter beat him cruelly and he shrank away defenseless to his seat.

Mockery also greets Simon later when he speaks to the lord of the flies, though this time it is sophisticated, adult mockery:

"Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill," said the head. For a moment or two the forest and all the other dimly appreciated places echoed with the parody of laughter.

Tragically, when Simon at length achieves a vision so clear that is is readily communicable he is killed by the pig hunters in their insane belief that he is the very evil which he alone has not only understood but actually exorcised. Like the martyr, he is killed for being precisely what he is not.

The inadequacy of Jack is the most serious of all, and here perhaps if anywhere in the novel we have a personification of absolute evil. Though he is the most mature of the boys (he alone of all the characters is given a last name), and though as head of the choir he is the only one with any experience of leadership, he is arrogant and lacking in Ralph's charm and warmth. Obsessed with the idea of hunting, he organizes his choir members into a band of killers. Ostensibly they are to kill pigs, but pigs alone do not satisfy them, and pigs are in any event not needed for food. The blood lust once aroused demands nothing less than human blood. If Ralph represents purely civil authority, backed only by his own good will, Piggy's wisdom, and the crowd's easy willingness to be ruled, Jack stands for naked ruthless power, the police force or the military force acting without restraint and gradually absorbing the whole state into itself and annihilating what it cannot absorb. Yet even Jack is inadequate. He is only a little boy after all, as we are sharply reminded in a brilliant scene at the end of the book, when we suddenly see him through the eyes of the officer instead of through Ralph's, and he is, like all sheer power, anarchic. When Ralph identifies himself to the officer as "boss," Jack, who has just all but murdered him, makes a move in dispute, but overawed at last by superior power, the power of civilization and the British Navy, implicit in the officer's mere presence, he says nothing. He is a villain (are his red hair and ugliness intended to suggest that he is a devil?), but in our world of inadequacies and imperfections even villainy does not fulfill itself completely. If not rescued, the hunters would have destroyed Ralph and made him, like the sow, an offering to the beast; but the inexorable logic of Ulysses makes us understand that they would have proceeded thence to self-destruction.

Then everything includes itself in power, Power into will, will into appetite; And appetite, an universal wolf, So doubly seconded with will and power, Must make perforce an universal prey, And last eat up himself.

The distance we have travelled from Ballantyne's cheerful unrealities is both artistic and moral. Golding is admittedly symbolic; Ballantyne professed to be telling a true story. Yet it is the symbolic tale that, at least for our times, carries conviction. Golding's boys, who choose to remember nothing of their past before the plane accident; who, as soon as Jack commands the choir to take off the robes marked with the cross of Christianity, have no trace of religion; who demand to be ruled and are incapable of being ruled properly; who though many of them were once choir boy's (Jack could sing C sharp) never sing a note on the island; in whose minds the great tradition of Western culture has left the titles of a few books for children, a knowledge of the use of matches (but no matches), and hazy memories of planes and TV sets—these boys are more plausible than Ballantyne's. His was a world of blacks and whites: bad hurricanes, good islands; good pigs obligingly allowing themselves to be taken for human food, bad sharks disobligingly taking human beings for shark food; good Christians, bad natives; bad pirates, good boys. Of the beast within, which demands blood sacrifice, first a sow's head, then a boy's, Ballantyne has some vague notion, but he cannot take it seriously. Not only does Golding see the beast; he sees that to keep it at bay we have civilization; but when by some magic or accident civilization is abolished and the human animal is left on his own, dependent upon his mere humanity, then being human is not enough. The beast appears, though not necessarily spontaneously or inevitably, for it never rages in Ralph or Piggy or Simon as it does in Roger or Jack; but it is latent in all of them, in the significantly named Piggy, in Ralph, who sometimes envies the abandon of the hunters and who shares the desire to "get a handful" of Robert's "brown, vulnerable flesh," and even in Simon burrowing into his private hiding place. After Simon's death Jack attracts all the boys but Ralph and the loyal Piggy into his army. Then when Piggy is killed and Ralph is alone, only civilization can save him. The timely arrival of the British Navy is less theatrical than logically necessary to make Golding's point. For civilization defeats the beast. It slinks back into the jungle as the boys creep out to be rescued; but the beast is real. It is there, and it may return.

Source: Carl Niemeyer, "The Coral Island Revisited," in College English , Vol. 22, No 4, January, 1961, pp. 241-45.

"Lord of the Flies - The Coral Island Revisited." Novels for Students, Vol. 2. Gale Cengage, 28 Aug. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/lord-of-the-flies/essays-further-analysis/critical-essays#essays-further-analysis-critical-essays-essays-criticism-coral-island-revisited>

Critical Evaluation

William Golding’s work has always been somewhat controversial, with many critics hailing him as a literary giant and others decrying what they see as a tendency to create contrived, manipulative works laden with heavy-handed symbolism. Golding’s reputation grew slowly. In 1955, when Lord of the Flies was first published in the United States, few readers had ever heard of him, and the book (which had been rejected by twenty-one publishers) sold only a handful of copies. Four years later, however, when a paperback edition appeared, sales of the work began to increase, promoted by word of mouth. Not long afterward, Lord of the Flies became required reading in many secondary schools and colleges, prompting interest in the author’s subsequent work. In 1983, Golding received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Born in Cornwall, England, in 1911, Golding attended Oxford University, changing his major from science to literature halfway through, and then, after publishing a book of poetry, became caught up in World War II. He spent five years serving with the Royal Navy, emerging as a lieutenant and embarking on a teaching and writing career. He wrote novels and novellas, poetry, plays, essays, and travel articles.

Lord of the Flies remains Golding’s best-known work. It is a superficially simple but densely layered tale that has been labeled, among other things, a fable, a myth, an allegory, and a parable. On the surface, it is an adventure story. A group of schoolboys await rescue on a deserted island, meanwhile exploring, hunting, and finally warring with one another. In Golding’s hands, the story becomes a parable that probes the nature and origin of evil.

The point of departure for Lord of the Flies is a nineteenth century boys’ novel titled The Coral Island (1858), by R. M. Ballantyne. In Ballantyne’s story, a group of shipwrecked British schoolboys (two of whom share their names with Golding’s main characters) manage to create on their deserted island a fair replica of British civilization. Golding’s view of human nature is less sanguine. His is a view that accepts the doctrine of original sin but without the accompanying doctrine of redemption. People in a state of nature quickly revert to evil, but even in a so-called civilized state, people simply mask their evil beneath a veneer of order. After all, while the boys on the island are sinking into a state of anarchy and blood lust, their civilized parents and teachers are waging nuclear war in the skies overhead.

The novel’s central symbol, the pig’s head around which flies buzz, which the boys dub the Lord of the Flies, is an allusion to Beelzebub, one of the most loathsome and repulsive of the false gods assailed in the Old Testament. Here, Beelzebub is represented by the rotting head of the sow killed by Jack Merridew and his hunters (choir members) in a frenzy of bloodletting that, in the language used to describe it, has sexual overtones. As Simon realizes, however, the beast, the Lord of the Flies, represents something anarchic and evil in the very core of human nature, not—as in the Bible and religious folklore—a demon separate from humanity but capable of taking possession of one’s soul. Although human beings are gifted with at least a glimmer of intelligence and reason—represented in the novel by Piggy and Ralph, respectively—the power of evil is sufficient to overwhelm any opposition.

Lord of the Flies bears a close resemblance to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness (1902); each involves a journey by representatives of one of the supposedly most civilized nations of the world into a darkness that lies at the very core of the human self. The irony in Lord of the Flies is even more pointed, however, in that Golding’s entire cast of characters consists of children—traditional symbols of innocence (“trailing clouds of glory” from their heavenly home, William Wordsworth claims). That they are British public schoolboys only adds to the irony in that perhaps the chief goal of the British public school is to instill in its charges a sense of honor and civil behavior. Indeed, the boys’ first impulse is toward order: Jack Merridew, later to become the most barbarous of them all, enters the novel marching his choir members along in two parallel lines.

Golding’s story unfolds amid a dense web of symbols, including the conch shell, which represents the fragile hold of rule and order and which is finally smashed to bits when Piggy is killed. Piggy’s spectacles, too, symbolize the weakness of intellect and (as a tool for making fire) the loss to humanity when intellect is quashed by superstition and irrationality. The beast, the parachutist, the fire, the killing of the sow—all assume symbolic significance in the novel, justifying the label of allegory that is often applied to this work.

"Lord of the Flies - Critical Evaluation." Critical Survey of Literature for Students, edited by Laurence W. Mazzeno, eNotes.com, Inc., 2010, 28 Aug. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/lord-of-the-flies/essays-further-analysis/critical-essays#essays-further-analysis-critical-essays-critical-evaluation>

Critical Overview

Lord of the Flies has attracted an immense amount of both favorable and unfavorable criticism. Most vehement among the latter critics are Kenneth Rexroth, whose essay in the Atlantic Monthly castigated the author for having written a typical "rigged" "thesis novel" whose characters "never come alive as real boys." In the same camp is Martin Green (1960), who criticizes Golding's early works, including Lord of the Flies , as "not importantly original in thought or feeling." Otherwise admiring critics like James R. Baker have claimed that the popularity of the book peaked by the end of the 1960s because of that decade's naive view of humanity and rejection of original sin.

Among critics who admire Lord of the Flies , there is remarkable disagreement about the book's influences, genre, significant characters, and theme, not to mention the general philosophy of the author. Frank Kermode's early essay, excerpts of which appear in Baker & Ziegler's casebook edition of the novel, examines R. M. Ballantyne's Victorian boys' adventure story The Coral Island as Golding's primary influence. He interprets Golding's book as a powerful story, capable of many interpretations, precisely because of the author's "mythopoeic power to transcend" his own allegorical "programme." Bernard F. Dick, while acknowledging The Coral Island 's influence, builds on Kermode's observation that the book's strength is grounded in its mythic level by tracing the influence of the Greek dramatists, especially Euripides whose play The Bacchae Golding himself acknowledged as an important source of his thinking. Dick notes that The Bacchae and Lord of the Flies both "portray a bipolar society in which the Apollonian [represented by Ralph] refuses or is unable to assimilate the Dionysian [represented by the hunters]." Dick finds fault with the author's having profound thoughts come out of the mouths of children, especially Simon. The critic recognizes, however, that this flaw grew out of Golding's decision to model his characters on the children in Coral Island. Nevertheless Dick is an overall admirer of Golding's craft in producing a work whose "foundation . . . is mythic" yet which is perhaps most accurately called a "serious parody."

Using a psychoanalytic approach to the novel, Claire Rosenfield (1961) finds yet another source for Golding's ideas in psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud's Totem and Taboo. Golding claimed in an interview that he had read "absolutely no Freud." Even so, Rosenfield's close reading argues that Golding must have been influenced, directly or indirectly, by Freudian ideas. Rosenfield reminds us that according to Freud, gods and devils are basically human processes projected into the outer world. Specifically, "Ralph is a projection of man's good impulses from which we derive the authority figures—whether god, king, or father. . . . Jack becomes an externalization of the evil instinctual forces of the unconscious." Piggy, whose knowledge of science, thinning hair, and respect for adults make him the most adultlike child on the island, is both a father figure and a symbol of the progressive degeneration of the boys from adults to animalistic savages.

The abundance of possible critical stances on Lord of the Flies is summarized by Patrick Reilly in his chapter "The Strife of Critics" from his study " Lord of the Flies": Fathers and Sons . Reilly notes that the book "has been read as a moral fable of personal disintegration, as a social fable of social regression, as a religious fable of the fall of man." One critic is sure that civilization is victorious in the book, while another scoffs at the very idea that the book ends happily.

Reilly himself puts Golding's work squarely in the tradition of the "dark epiphany" as used in Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. Both authors work under the notion that man is so thoroughly corrupted that his redemption as a species is hopeless, however gallant and inspirational individual attempts may be. Thus the reader of Golding at the end of book is left wondering how, if the world has been destroyed by atomic war, the captain and his ship will be rescued after he has rescued the boys. Reilly, however, does find hope in the figure of Simon, whose slow death ennobles him as a "hero, saint, martyr," in contrast to Piggy's quick dispatch and equally sudden disappearance. Thus the darkness within man as a whole in the story is balanced by the "brightness within" individual hearts, and Reilly concludes that "if we cannot be certain of salvation, perhaps it is enough to sustain us if we know that the darkness need not prevail."

"Lord of the Flies - Critical Overview." Novels for Students, Vol. 2. Gale Cengage, 28 Aug. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/lord-of-the-flies/essays-further-analysis/critical-essays#essays-further-analysis-critical-essays-critical-overview>

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Lord Of The Flies - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Lord of the Flies, a novel by William Golding, explores the descent into savagery of a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island. Through this narrative, the novel delves deeply into themes of human nature, civilization versus savagery, and the loss of innocence. An essay might examine the psychological and sociological underpinnings of the characters’ actions and the societal commentary offered by Golding. There could be a discussion about the symbolic elements used in the narrative, such as the conch shell, Piggy’s glasses, and the “beast,” and how they contribute to the novel’s message. Comparative analysis with other dystopian or survivalist fiction, or a discussion on the novel’s relevance in contemporary society, can offer a rich examination of “Lord of The Flies” and its exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Lord Of The Flies you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

What Role does Fear Play in Lord of the Flies

Dread, significant for the endurance of mankind, it has consistently been engraved in everybody from birth and utilized til' the very end. In the novel The Lord of the Flies, the young men on the island are greatly influenced by dread, as it controls their choices and their perspective. William Golding clues to fear as the most hazardous and damaging power on the island and supports this by Jack's dread of losing power brings about his manipulative nature, Ralph's dread […]

Savagery and the “Beast” Theme in Lord of the Flies

The Oxford Dictionary defines savagery as the condition of being primitive or uncivilized. Savage and uncivilized behavior is the last thing you would expect from a group of english boys privately schooled; however, author William Golding thought otherwise. Lord of the Flies is a fictional novel written by William Golding in 1954, Golding used his experiences during WWII and as an English teacher teaching ill-behaved boys to develop the idea that people aren't innately good. After his time as a […]

How does Jack Represent Savagery in the Novel?

In the novel, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the character, Jack, symbolizes evilness and savagery. At the beginning of the story, Jack manipulates the reader into thinking that he is a good character. This is shown when he volunteers to lead the group of boys. However, on the contrary, Jack portrays evilness throughout the book in many scenes such as when he kills the pig, chants the phrase "'Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood. and […]

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Lord of the Flies Killing the Sow

“‘Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us’”(Golding 82). William Golding writes 'it's only us' as he believes that every man has a darker side, an inner beast that is proven inescapable by moral depravity. Throughout Lord of the flies, the young British boys stranded on an island will attempt to suppress men's darker side by governing themselves, nonetheless; their evil instincts will eventually present itself causing division among the boys. Ralph, the oldest of the group, will strive […]

Jack’s Personality in Lord of the Flies

In the story Lord Of The Flies by William Golding, published in 1954, there is a young man, named Jack. Jack is a that has crashed landed on a deserted island with other younger boys. Lord of the Flies takes place on an uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean. There are no older adults on the island to boss the kids around. there are much different symbolism the boy's encounter while on there stay. for instance, Piggy's glasses to create […]

Who is a Better Leader Jack or Ralph?

In Williams Golding's Novel, Lord Of The Flies , Ralph and Jack are leaders. Leadership is when a person who is confident to take responsibility and who inspire people to do things. A person is important because they encourage people to do things they want to do or be. Ralph is the better leader because he is more organized and he is more responsible and makes good decisions at the same time. Ralph is a better leader. Ralph is a […]

Symbolism in Lord of the Flies

In literature, a common symbol typically arises to convey an important message. The symbol often follows the characters and changes along with them. In Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, a story following a group of boys as they are stranded on an uninhabited island in the midst of World War II. A conch shell that one of the boys finds plays an important role throughout the story, symbolizing the only sense of peace and authority. Along with this, […]

Lord of the Flies: Civilization Vs Savagery

Imagine being stranded on an island. your first instinct is to discover some nourishment, shelter, and to discover an exit plan the island. being marooned can be a critical circumstance. it can raise new difficulties and self-revelation. At the point when a group of young boys gets stranded on an island alone without any grown-ups together they should figure out how to live and make due as a gathering. Not exclusively should their principle need is nourishment and a safe […]

Comparison of Civilization Vs Savagery

What would you do when you're stuck on an island with 3 other people on an island and some civilization such as a tribe of boys? This is what the Lord of the flies is about. The Lord of the flies is an allegory which is essentially a metaphor in which a character is used to deliver a broader message. Throughout this novel, Golding represents the conflict between civilization and savagery in the conflict between Ralph, who represents order and […]

‘Lord of the Flies’ Themes, Symbols, and Literary Devices

William Golding's best work, Lord of the Flies is a harsh tale about innocent boys stranded on an island that inevitably revert to savagery. Jack's (main antagonist) tribe conquered every inch of soil on the island with their brutality, despite Ralph (main protagonist) and Piggy's increasingly desperate attempts to halt this advance. Jack's tribe, which uses violence and oppression of outsiders, represents a military force, in direct opposite of Ralph's and Piggy's civilized tribe which represents a stable government. The […]

The Descent into Darkness: Exploring Inner Evil in ‘Lord of the Flies’

In the book “Lord of the flies,” the boys face many things that give them fear such as the beast, the fear of not being rescued and in time the fear of each other, this fear awakens the inner evil within each of them. The beast or “beastie”1 takes many forms throughout the book which gradually changes as the boys slowly descend into madness. At the beginning, it is thought to be a snake, the author uses the snake as […]

The Fall of Civilization into Savagery

Thomas Hobbes argues that "the life of man, [is] solitary, poore, nasty, brutish and short'" and the only way to avoid it is by accepting "mutually recognized public authority" (Lloyd and Shreedhar, "Hobbes's Moral and Political Philosophy"). In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding tells the story of a group of boys who crash landed and are stranded on an island that no one knows about. A few of the older boys attempt to recreate the organized society […]

How does Roger Change in Lord of the Flies by William Golding?

Through the development of Roger in The Lord of the Flies, William Golding advances the theme that humans are capable of doing evil things, but society has conditioned us to hide it. Roger is held back in the beginning by the taboo of his old life and still holds on to the principles of his old life. Until the end of the novel when darkness has overtaken him. What Does Roger Look Like in Lord of the Flies Golding illustrated […]

The Symbolism of Power in “Lord of the Flies”

Russian dictatorship is a topic that is fitting when discussing power comes from fear. Stalin was an infamous dictator who used his power to create fear in the eyes of the Russian citizens. This is similar to William Golding's the Lord of the Flies, he demonstrates that those in power will take advantage of people's fear. In the book, Jack and Ralph both are in a struggle for power and both struggle to remain in power as they attack each […]

Civilization, Power and Moral Consequences in Lord of the Flies

Order, leadership, power, and moral consequences are some concepts needed in society to maintain civilization. Lord of the Flies by William Golding explores these ideological struggles between two main characters: Ralph and Jack. With different perspectives about how one should rule, they both challenge each other from the start. The novel starts off with a plane crash in the middle of an unknown island where a group of young English boys are isolated without any adults, and are thus tested […]

How does Lord of the Flies Prove Boys Need Adult Guidance to Grow into Civilised Adults?

In the novel, Lord of the Flies, William Golding, suggests that without adults, children will grow up fast. Some are followers and some will rise to the occasion and become leaders. All of these children have one thing in common: they all grew afraid and lose innocence because they have now are boundaries that are set up by adults. This is best shown through the character Ralph in Lord of the Flies. The book is about a group of boys […]

Suffering Society

The story Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, is a novel displaying how fragile a society is. This story is about a plane full of young boys that crashes onto an island. At first, the boys think that it will be fun to be on their own with no adults, but they soon realize that it will be more difficult to survive than they thought. While trying to survive and be rescued, leaders are chosen and unfortunately the boys […]

Lord of the Flies Themes & Motifs

The Lord of the Flies is referencing the pig head that the boys used as a peace offering to the beast. Throughout the book, the boys change over time in many ways. As time goes on, the pig head begins to rot and by the end of the story, the head is only a skull. The rotting of the pig head symbolizes the boys developing and becoming more savage. At the end of the book, when the pig head is […]

Movie “Lord of the Flies” by Harry Hook

If the movie is made based on the novel, there might be several differences that director made to specialize and make the movie unique. In the movie Lord of the Flies, Harry Hook made differences with novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding to magnify the hidden meaning or symbols in the novel. There are variances in entire storyline, character depict, and other small areas. On the other hand, there are similarities that director maintained from the novel. Now, […]

Lord of the Flies & WWII/Holocaust Connections

The fear and darkness of the time period had spread to all living souls in surrounding of the terror. William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, takes place around 1950 during one of the evilous events in human history. The Holocaust was a horrible act of exterminating humans for not being the way Hitler, in his mind, pictured for the human race. Lord of the Flies is a novel that has symbols with hidden meanings that historically relate to The […]

Ralph and Jack in “Lord of the Flies”

In the novel The Lord of the Flies we meet a group of boys who are stranded on an island without any form of civilization. The author, William Golding, never specifically states how the boys got to the island but it was implied in the first paragraph that were survivors of a plane crash. They plane was shot down in the middle of the ocean and crashed into the jungle where the boys were separated from the pilot and each […]

Tree of Life

In many religions, the Tree of Life is perceived to be a symbolic representation of higher powers and the control they exert over humans. In early times people believed this spiritual tree would give them a path to immortality. On the other hand, other religious leaders state that this very tree could be the cause of the pitfalls in life. In the novel, Lord of The Flies William Golding utilizes the Tree of Life as a pathway taken by each […]

The Role of Government in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding

Politics seems to always have savagery involved, and sometimes savagery has politics involved. William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, may be set on a remote island sparsely populated with young boys who have become stranded and who are trying desperately yet ineffectively to establish and maintain order; however, the lessons that Lord of the Flies holds for the reader about the purpose and peril of government remain relevant as metaphors of modern politics. The naive, inexperienced boys who have […]

Adventures, Conflicts, and Struggles in “Lord of the Flies”

William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a fictional novel which tells of a group of boys who are stranded on an island with no adult supervision, and their adventures, conflicts, and struggles. The boys are stranded on an island and one of the boys, Ralph, becomes the leader of the boys and is trying his hardest to get the boys rescued. Meanwhile, another, Jack, shows no intention of getting off the island and makes a band of hunters which […]

Lord of the Flies: Leadership

Leadership is commonly defined as somebody who inspires people, rather it be strong non-verbal communication or standing up for someone in their team. Leaders are important because without a leader you’d be lost or misguided. With a leader you’ll have somebody to show you what to do and how to do it. Ralph and Jack are very different in their approach to leadership. Jack is impatient, strict, and harsh. Ralph on the other hand, is cooperative, patient, and less-harsh. Both […]

Author’s Style in Things Fall Apart and Lord of the Flies 

The writing in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, is different than what I normally read. I think this has to do with the proverbs that are used. Achebe uses lyrical and visual language through the use of proverbs and short stories to provide a photographic view of the Ibo’s culture. “Yam, the king of crops, was a very exacting king. For three or four moons it demanded hard work and constant attention from the cock-crow till the chickens went […]

The Symbolism of Power in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies

Will they make it home? When the boys landed on the island Ralph was the one to take charge, he was more responsible than anybody so he became the person that the other boys followed after. He tries to keep the boys civilized by creating rules similar to the ones at home, and was the only one who made finding a way home their top priority. After a while in my opinion Jack become jealous of Ralph and tried to […]

Lord of the Flies Darkness in Man’s Heart Sophomore

The book”Lord of the Flies” written by William Golding shows and showcases the true nature of all living life. In the beginning of the story, As in a world which is during war, a crash has taken these first innocent children and or pre-teens through the empty depths of a unknown island. In the story, a quote to support this claim is “When we was coming down I looked through one of the windows. I saw the other part of […]

Opposing Forces in “Lord of the Flies”

In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Golding creates two drastically opposing forces that fight for dominance over the boys that are trapped on the island. One (the conch) represents civilization, democracy, reasoning, and logic while the other (the beast) represents the instinctive behavior of all animals for dominance, violence, and inpulsive actions manifested in mankind. Initially the idea of creating and living in an orderly society with set rules and jobs seemed like the most logical and agreeable […]

Freudian Theory of Mind in Lord of the Flies

Freudian theory of mind in lord of the flies Freudians theory on personality comes from the school of thought that personality is divided into three sections that correlate. The three sections of personality include the Id, ego, and super ego. The theory places these sections into classes where Id falls under unconscious while ego and super ego fall under pre conscious and the conscious consecutively. In the book lord of the flies, Freudians theory is presented by the different symbols […]

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How To Write an Essay About Lord Of The Flies

Understanding 'lord of the flies'.

Before delving into an essay about 'Lord of the Flies,' it's essential to thoroughly understand the novel. Written by William Golding, 'Lord of the Flies' is a compelling story about a group of British boys stranded on a deserted island and their disastrous attempt to govern themselves. The novel explores complex themes such as human nature, the inherent evil within humanity, and the breakdown of societal norms and order. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the plot, characters, and setting. Consider the historical and cultural context in which Golding wrote, particularly the impact of World War II, as this influences the novel's themes and messages.

Developing a Focused Thesis Statement

A strong, focused thesis statement is crucial for an effective essay on 'Lord of the Flies.' This statement should present a specific argument or perspective about the novel. You might analyze the symbolism of the conch shell or the Lord of the Flies, discuss the portrayal of the loss of innocence, or examine the dynamics of power and fear among the boys. Whatever angle you choose, your thesis will guide the direction of your essay and should be supported throughout with evidence from the text.

Gathering Textual Evidence

Support your thesis with carefully chosen evidence from the novel. This might include key events, dialogue, or descriptive passages that illustrate Golding's themes and your interpretation of them. For instance, if exploring the theme of savagery versus civilization, focus on specific moments where this conflict is evident. Analyzing how the characters change over time and how these changes reflect the novel's central ideas is also effective.

Analyzing Golding's Themes and Techniques

In the body of your essay, analyze how Golding uses literary techniques to develop themes and characters. Discuss his use of symbolism, motifs, and characterization, and how these elements contribute to the overall meaning of the novel. For example, explore the significance of the setting as a microcosm of the world or how the characters represent different aspects of society. This analysis should demonstrate a deep understanding of the text and your ability to interpret literary devices.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing your main arguments and restating your thesis in light of the discussion. Reflect on the broader implications of the novel, such as its relevance to modern society or its commentary on human nature. A strong conclusion will tie together your insights and leave the reader with a clear understanding of your perspective on 'Lord of the Flies.'

Reviewing and Refining the Essay

After writing your essay, take time to review and refine it. Ensure that your arguments are coherent, your evidence is clearly presented, and your writing is free of grammatical errors. Consider seeking feedback from teachers, peers, or tutors to help improve your essay. A well-crafted essay on 'Lord of the Flies' should not only demonstrate your understanding of the novel but also your ability to engage critically with literary texts.

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Peer Editing Additional Resources Argumentative Essay What are your goals? To present an opinion on a controversial topic to the reader; explain, clarify and illustrate that opinion; persuade the reader that the opinion supported in the essay is valid by: A. moving the reader to action  B. convincing the reader that the opinion is correct    C. persuading the reader that the opinion is at least worth considering How do you achieve your goal? 1) Support the opinion by means of giving evidence: facts, examples, physical description, support of authority, and statistics 2) Present counterargument s to the thesis and refute them respectfully and critically. Common Core Standards Addressed:                                    8W.1,   8W.4,  8W.5,  8W.9,  8L.1,  8L.2, and  8L.6             Information on Argumentative Essay Writing  ppt  ( This is a power point that may help) Helpful Guidelines for writing an Argumentative Essay  Argumentative Essay Prompt: William Golding’s Lord of the Flies claims two impulses exist in all human beings.  The impulse to live peacefully and follow moral standards dissolves when the conch explodes into “a thousand white fragments.”  Argue:  Should the boys’ savage and immoral behavior, shown at the end of the novel, be blamed on the situation/environment , or on biological factors (brain, emotional development)? (Pick a side! Was it the environment (external factors) or biology (internal factors)?  Explain your reasoning using supporting details from Lord of the Flies , by William Golding, “The Perils of Obedience” by Kendra Cherry, and the “Teenage Brain” by Amanda Leigh Mascarelli. You may use other non-fiction pieces studied in class. Make sure you refute counterarguments using logical reasoning and evidence.     Task Requirements ·      Create an organized structure, with correct paragraphing ·      Use relevant details and textual evidence from all three sources ·      Type in 12 point font, and double space ·      Follow the conventions of English grammar, with no errors in spelling and   grammar ·      Use sophisticated language ·      Attach the  rubric , and staple to the back of your final draft Materials Direct Text     Lord of the Flies : by William Golding (This is the entire book!)    "The Perils of Obedience"  by Kendra Cherry (The Milgram Obedience Study)   "The Teenage Brain" by Amanda Leigh Mascarelli (The article about your brain!) " Not Your Average Summer Camp " by Marisa Brook (The article about the campers that learn to work together)     "Stanford Prison Experiment " by Martyn Shuttleworth (Sadistic guards following orders) Nature vs. Nurture in Lord of the Flies  (A great resource to see how the novel shows the debate between Nature (internal/instinctual) vs. Nurture (the environment and the people around you have taught you to behave in a certain way) Writing Aids Evidence from Lord of the Flies ( A list of quotes you may find useful for your argument) Sample Intro and Body Paragraph  Sample Body Paragrapah (With explanation) Graphic Organizer for Collecting Evidence Useful Transitions for Argumentative Writing Topics For Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay There is multiple claims of the novel “Lord of the Flies” written by William Golding, many concerning the physiatric state of the main characters while they endure the hardships of themselves and the island. Many of the attitudes and mindsets change throughout the story of these plan wrecked children, those of which that will end up becoming beasts themselves. “Simon, the apparently epileptic visionary who goes to visit the monster in its lair and studies the flies as they worship their rotting lord.” (Conrad, Peter. “William Golding centenary: Why lost boys will always find a dark lord to worship.” The Observer, Guardian News and Media, 17 Sept. 2011, www.theguardian.com/books/2011/sep/17/lord-of-the-flies-golding-centenary.) This compares the book since in the story Jack’s tribe did seem to worship the pig head they had mounted on a spear celebrating their first kill on the island which would become more soon. Jack’s tribe was also consumed from the first kill and wanted more and more to get satisfaction ultimately leaving them bloodied most of the time. This would also compare to the claim about finding a “dark lord” to worship since in the tribe that Jack lead would have been worshiping …show more content… “Ballantyne expressed his belief in the goodness of man, the idea that man would overcome adversity in a civilized way” (Burgess, Adam. “Lord of the Flies: A Critical History.” ThoughtCo, 6 Mar. 2017, www.thoughtco.com/lord-of-the-flies-critical-history-4042902.). This makes the claim that man can overcome adversity in a civilized way. This contrasts with the book since the boys ultimately go savage and wild during their time on the island. The boys in Jack’s tribe experience this the most because of the bloodthirst from the pigs and from Jack’s own pride for being the strongest and being feared, this led to the untimely death of Simon and Piggy because of Dbq Essay On Lord Of The Flies Stuck on an island with kids and an unknown “beast” what is it? The story of Lord of the Flies occurs during World War 2 on a deserted island after a plane filled with children crashed and where a new beast takes over . What is the beast? The beast in Lord of the Flies is constantly changing from fear to war then to savagery. So what is the meaning of the beast in the Lord of the Flies? “We saw-” “-the beast-”. In the Lord of the Flies by William Golding, there were a group of English Schoolboys. They roamed around on a deserted island, a war was going on in the near future. There are many possible things a “beast” can be. The definition of a “beast” evolves throughout the story. Dbq Essay Lord Of The Flies All children have a fear of something; spiders, snakes, even unknown monsters. In William Golding’s Lord of The Flies, a group of English boys are stranded on a deserted island with no adults. Being such young boys, they start to become afraid of a beast. But the big question is, what is the beast in Lord of The Flies? Is it the War that is happening when the boys plane crashed? Juxtaposition In Lord Of The Flies In Lord of the Flies, William Golding tells the story of a group of once-innocent schoolboys who flee their homes during a world war. However, the plane they traveled in crashed on a deserted island far from any civilization on the way to safety. Trapped with no adults or authority figures, the boys have to survive on their own with little or no guidance. As the boys stay on the island and try to find outside help, their humanity shifts into savagery. In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, he shares his belief that without the structure of society, humans are savage by a conch shell symbolizing structure and humanity on the island, as well as using juxtaposition to contrast those who represent humanity and savagery. Piggy Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay William Golding’s fictional, British novel, Lord of the Flies, presents a character that serves a two-part function as a “scapegoat” and a certain commentary on life. During WWII, a group of British boys are being evacuated via plane when they crash and are stranded on an island without adults. As time progresses, the innate evilness of human nature begins to overcome the savage society of young boys while Piggy, an individual representation of brains without brawn, becomes an outlier as he tries to resist this gradual descent of civilness and ends up shouldering the blame for the wrongdoings of the savage tribe. Up until his untimely death, Piggy is portrayed as the most intellectual and most civil character in the group of stranded boys. Right from the beginning, Piggy realized that “[they] got to do something,” (8) and he recognized the shell Ralph had picked up as a conch. Simon's Death Cause Ralph To Come Of Age In Lord Of The Flies In the allegorical novel Lord of the Flies, Simon and Piggy’s sudden deaths cause Ralph to Come of Age so he can deal with the tragedy and realize the others are still savages. Ralph and a school of other boys crash their plane on a deserted island in the 1950s, trying to escape the bombing going on in England. Only the children survive, so they have to try to stay together and get rescued. However, there is a fabled “Beast” on the island that threatens the children, and eventually tears them apart. Many boys secede from the original group and become savages of the island, only concerned with food and killing the “Beast”. Discussion Questions For Lord Of The Flies Maria Chamberlain Ms. Wecht Gifted 1/1 9 November 2014 LotF Ch. 1-7 1. Jack is unable to kill the pig because he is too afraid. After the pig gets away, the author says, “They knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood” (Golding 31). This shows the real reason why Jack doesn’t kill the pig. The Dead Parachutist In Lord Of The Flies Analysis The Lord of the Flies novel, by William Golding, is a symbolic allegory, delving deep into the true horrors of war, savagery, and the loss of innocence throughout the duration of time the children spent on the island. I the novel a situation arises involving a dead parachutist, still he represents so much more than Mr. Golding makes apparent. Commonly applied to the story is the ideology of a “beast,” the concept behind these two aspects are similar, yet have a distinct separation between them. Just like the notion of the “beast” and the dead parachutist is the “Lord of the Flies” himself, pertaining to reasons related to that of the other two major examples of symbolism. The dead parachutist is so much more than what you see, you must go deeper Jack Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay Every child comes into this world as a selfish, manipulative, cruel and stubborn being. It is the parents and society that teaches children how to function in a civilized world, and societal laws that keeps them under control. William Golding wrote this novel in the early years of the cold war and the atomic age. In William Golding's classic novel Lord of the Flies, Golding uses Jack, a young savage who looks to lead a group of stranded kids on an island with no food, no rules, and no adults. The effect freedom has on Jack has turned him into a savage because he does not have to listen to anyone since there are no adults on the island. Persuasive Essay On Lord Of The Flies Most humans are like beasts in Lord Of The Flies by William Golding is mainly about how humans can be just like one. The novel Lord Of The Flies was written In the year 1954,and during this time the Cold War was happening. The book affects this because it's letting people know how humans can be so evil and others not,for the time of the cold war the nations were allies and then turning against each other. Just as jack and Ralph were friends,then became foes. In the book of Lord Of The Flies a couple of childern were stranded on an island with no growns to help them survive since no one was there to watch out for them,they had to survive on their own. Casey is in a situation that is very tough to judge. If I were in the position to suggest something to Casey I would tell her to befriend Mariah and defy the odds. Anyone can be in the same position as Mariah. As a person that has been that oddball or person that people don’t want to hang around, the best way to break someone out of that is just to simply talk to them. Casey might be surprised and even amazed at some of the things that Mariah has seen, experienced or thought of. Argumentative Essay On Lord Of The Flies People have come to agree that a “good” world is one where order, equality, and kindness all reign supreme over their negative counterparts. The problem with this good world is that these qualities are not the values which every human default to. Correctly demonstrated through William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, George Orwell’s 1984, and experiments like the Stanford Prison Experiment, human nature at its core is exploitative and aggressive. These traits are the entire driving point behind the story of Lord of the Flies, being the reason that the group of once civilized boys descends into chaos and destruction all so rapidly. This book attempted to display what would happen if a group of boys were to revert to the ways humans tend to behave All people have an inner beast, just waiting to be released if and when the time comes. Most people do not think that they could do anything remotely threatening to another person's life, but when placed into certain desperate situations anyone can exhibit extreme behaviors. There are precise limits to every person’s willingness to act in drastic ways but sometimes they are put in situations where they must go beyond their own moral codes. Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a novel about a group of schoolboys who are stranded alone on an island, with no adult supervision. Trying to escape the horrors of war, the boys’ plane crashes on a remote uninhabited island, the boys are left with no resources or hope of rescue in the near future Lord of the Flies Essay What would happen if boys from a civilized culture were unexpectedly thrown together on an island? William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, provides a potential answer. Despite them trying to form leadership to keep everyone civil, the island’s environment changed them. The environment and situation caused them to change as they had to be responsible without adults, they all began to act like the animals they hunted, and they were able to commit murder. Human Nature And Evil In William Golding's Lord Of The Flies Throughout the novel of Lord of the Flies, William Golding provides a profound insight into human nature. Golding builds on a message that all human beings have natural evil inside them. To emphasize, the innate evil is revealed when there’s lack of civilization. The boys are constantly faced with numerous fears and eventually break up into two different groups. Although the boys believe the beast lives in the jungle, Golding makes it clear that it lurks in their hearts. More about Topics For Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay Related topics. Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay “Lord of the Flies” Ralph the Leader Ralph from the “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding is charismatic, athletic, and smart. He cares about how people are and what they need. He has his responsibilities in order unlike the other kids who do anything they want. He knows how to keep the kids in order so they can get work done. Ralph makes the best leader out of all the other kids. After the conch is blown, and children assemble, Jack calls Piggy Fatty. Ralph is quick to point out that his name is not Fatty, but Piggy. Everyone laughs and begins to chant his name, and Piggy becomes hurt. It is through this small conflict that Piggy becomes a target for the others, to taunt and hurt, because of his name and physical appearance. This event shows the beginnings of breakdown of the community, and Ralph is the only one that can put it back together. Ralph worked tirelessly on the tents while all of the other kids were playing in the water. Jack is a main character in “Lord of the Flies” but he is a jerk and he is obsessed on kill a pig that he chickened out of doing the first time. While Jack and the hunters are hunting they have a second job that is to keep the signal fire running. They didn’t do that while that is going on a boat comes by and if they had a signal fire they could have been saved but didn’t. Ralph confronted him at an island meeting and Jack still just wants to go hunting. Ralph was smart and nice in the beginning when he first met the boys. Order custom essay Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay with free plagiarism report They made him chief because of his treats and Jack called them all together but he is mean. The little kids like Jack more because he thinks the beasties are real. Ralph knows they're not real and for the little kids not to believe that they're real. Ralph is the better leader and should always. The facts have shown why Ralph is a better leader. He cares about other people and their emotions. He has his responsibilities in order and will do it. He can lead other people and to get stuff done. Cite this Page Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay. (2017, Mar 07). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/lord-of-the-flies-persuasive-essay/ Run a free check or have your essay done for you More related essays ‘Lord of the Flies’ is frequently read as the story of changing identities. The plot gives an opportunity to trace the process, in which several boys turn into savage beasts. The book Godhead of the flies was published in 1954 by the Nobel-prize victor William Golding during the period of the cold war and the atomic age but the book. A person’s goals and ambitions often times do in fact interfere with the people around them. If someone is so determined to fulfill their dreams they often times do whatever. Henry Reichman, in his research titled Censorship and Selection, Issues and Answers for Schools. Censorship defines censorship as the "the removal, suppression, or restricted circulation of literary, artistic or educational. A Utopia is a place or society that appears perfect in every way. The government is perfect, working to improve society’s standards of living rather than their own, social aspects. The two novels, Animal Farm by George Orwell and Lord of the Flies by William Golding were both written over 50 years ago, meaning there is much to be said. Ralph and Jack’s Conflict between Good and Evil in Lord of the Flies Over the ages, human behavior has shown that purity of thought leads to a similar action and.  Ralph is an English schoolboy who is stranded on an isolated island without adults together with the other boys after a plane crash. He tries to establish a civilized society. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy Save time and let our verified experts help you. Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay The Lord of the Flies is a book about a group of boys that crash onto an island from what appears to be the gunning down of their plane. Taking place in the time of World War Two, it is very likely the plane was gunned down, and these boys on the island are alone with each other, drowning in their own twisted freedom. The main characters of this story are Ralph, a well-fit boy who is the oldest of the bunch, and Piggy, an overweight boy who seems to be the most intelligent of the group. Later we are revealed to Jack, who is leading a choir of boys, and he looks to be an okay person until he has disagreements with Ralph. For the youngest of the children, Ralph wants protection and shelters for them, as well as a fire for smoke to alert nearby passing ships, while Jack wants to hunt for food, which is a needed necessity, it goes against …show more content… After many arguments, and the ultimate lead up of the groups going separate ways due to a fire going out because Jack, it is where the story gets exciting. Many children choose who to follow, many choose Jack because he has the food, which the starving children desire most. The forest is almost like a mad house as it can drive people insane and make people see things and believe the unbelievable. A young boy named Simon can be an excellent example for such an event, as he escapes into the forest at random to speak to the head of a dead pig that was killed by Jack’s clan. The head is referred to as the Lord of the flies, due to the amount of flies that surround the mysterious head. Only Simon hears its words, slowly pushing Simon farther away from sanity, until his demise of leaving and being mistaken for the beast, then he is killed. As time progresses, each clan is found atop Castle Rock as it is called, in the midst of a debate over power and who is the right and wrongdoers. After a few of the children are tied up, Ralph Theme Of Innocence Of Jack In Lord Of The Flies In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, a group of young British boys are left stranded on an island after a fatal plane crash in the midst of a World War. With no communication to the outer world and no presence or influence of adults on the island, Ralph, Jack Merridew, and Piggy are forced to take initiative if the group of hopeless boys want to survive. The group of boys experience a drastic change throughout their time on the island, a change that no one would ever expect to occur to a young group of primed British boys. The leader of the stranded choirists on the island, Jack Merridew, shows such a change that he soon persuades other boys to follow his savage actions as the novel progresses. Though the changes to Jack’s mental and physical characteristics advance slowly at first, the final personality of Jack is instantly taken over at the climax of the novel to a dehumanized savage. Jack’s innocence is corrupted by his inability to withstand a society without rules proving man's good essential nature is altered by the evil within society. Savagery Lord Of The Flies Quote Analysis Lord Of the Flies Novel by William Golding is a book about a bunch of boys that survive a plane crash on a deserted island. The older boys, Jack, and Ralph become the main characters of the story. Ralph starts out as the chief with the power of the conch. Into the story he loses his power to Jack. A red haired impulsive boy, leader of the choir boys. A civilized boy that takes further steps away from civility then Ralph.The transformation from civility into savagery turning point is most distinct in two main points. The boys’ action that lead to savagery is when they smeared paint over themselves and when Jack finally took a living animal’s life. Lord Of The Flies Quotes Escaing Reality In the book Lord of the Flies by William Golding, a group of British boys crash on an island. There are no adults on the island, only kids and pre-teens. The book starts off with two boys, Ralph and Piggy. They blow into a conch to reveal another large batch of boys, including Jack and his choir group. Ralph gets chosen leader of the group and things go well until the boys become frightened of a “monster”. Later on, Jack is only focused on hunting while Ralph is only focused on getting rescued. Unfortunately, Ralph splits up with Jack and most of the boys go with Jack. However, all of them kill Simon, a wandering yet pessimistic kid. In the end, Jack’s group kills Piggy and hunts down Ralph, only to chase him down to an adult. Corruption In Lord Of The Flies In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, a plane escaping Britain in the midst of the next World War crash lands on a desert island. The surviving group of schoolboys begins to fend for themselves without adult supervision. Immediately, a boy named Ralph rises as the leader when he gathers the children with a conch shell. The other children draw toward his charisma and mature age. However, not everyone agrees with this institution of leadership, namely Jack Merridew. The island corrupts as Jack gains a foothold of power. Because of this corruption, two children--Simon and Piggy--die. Throughout this story, these crises are blamed on man’s inner evil prevailing with a lack of civilization and become evident through Jack’s interactions with Ralph, Piggy Vs Lord Of The Flies Persuasive Essay During World War II, a plane crashes on an unknown island leaving multiple British schoolboys stranded with no adults. Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, tells the story of boys struggling to create a new society from scratch. When they crash, there are no rules or leaders. They must create their own civilization. To create order, Jack thinks there needs to be a leader. Ralph and Jack are both interested in being the leader which creates conflict. While Ralph wants to create order and concentrate on rescue, Jack enjoys the hunt and insists on getting meat to eat with no hope of being rescued. Another character is Piggy who likes to help Ralph and stands up for him. While he is very intelligent, he lacks the leadership skills to rule the island. Roger, an older boy, is a follower of Jack who also enjoys hunting and killing, but for fun instead of necessity. Simon Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay Argumentative Essay: Simon Golding uses setting details as symbols to develop abstract characteristics of Simon. To start with, Simon has a characteristic of gentleness/goodness. In the text it states, “The deep sea breaking miles away on the reef made an undertone less perceptible than the susurration of the blood.” The way these setting details represent gentleness /goodness is that the blood can represent evil or fear like you can find blood in a murder. Meanwhile, the sea is gentler and it has goodness because it can provide survival for animals and people like fishing. Argumentative Essay On Lord Of The Flies Fear and intimidation play a significant role in the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, just as a coercion and fear played a large role in the lives of the people ruled by the Axis powers in WWII. Symbolism in Lord of the Flies 7 Works Cited William Golding's Lord of the Flies is a novel about a group of English school boys who are stranded on a tropical island after their plane has been attacked and crashes during World War II. In the beginning, the boys like being on their own without adults. The boys separate into two groups, led by Jack and Ralph. Jack is obsessed with hunting, and he and his group pay do not pay attention. Ralph is concerned about keeping a rescue fire lit so they will have a chance to be rescued, but no one else seems too concerned about it. At least one ship passes by without noticing the boys on the island. Things on the island deteriorate into chaos and savagery. Jack and his tribe are consumed with hunting and Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Research Paper Lord Of The Flies Argument Essay Daily there is guilty going on the world but only one is found guilty and one is not. An experience I had tours my life was me and my friends. We were playing around our neighborhood with a football and my friend accidentally through the ball wrong and broke a window. My friend was so scared that he blamed me but I had to step up myself that I didn’t do it. My friends also knew I didn’t do it. Over time, many have realized that people have the power to change others, however some believe that people cannot and will not change. One side of this argument is that though people will be the same their whole life, and never change. On the contrary, people have been changed by others over time and throughout history. It is a fact of life that people have the power to change others through their actions, perspectives, and ability to persuade their point of view. There was much destruction in the wake of the first World War. Millions of people had been killed or disablitated by this devastating war. Housing and whole towns were left in ruin with nothing more then rumble to mark where they had been. Millions of people were starving in German as a result of the Hunger Blockade. Needless to say it was time for peace but the ending of World War I wasn't all that peaceful as was hoped. Have you ever been stranded on an island with only your friends and no adults? In Lord of the Flies, a plane with a bunch of English schoolboys crashes on a deserted island, and they have to figure out how to survive on their own without any adults until someone comes to rescue them. The boys were not used to this new environment without adults and they had to go through many changes that were sometimes impossible and very hard to get though. The boys did not have a great experience on the island, they fought with each other almost every day, and split up into two groups because they were mad at each other and that is because they are humans and humans can’t really keep their sanity when it comes to situations like being stranded on an island. Let’s be honest; being stranded on an island is a real nightmare. Now, imagine being stranded on an island with a bunch of kids! Though a group of kids may not sound too intimidating, when released from society's constraints and adult supervision, the saying “all’s well that ends well” certainly doesn't apply here. In the heavily famed novel Lord of the Flies written by Nobel Prize of Literature winner William Golding, a group of schoolboys from the age of six to twelve are caught in the midst of the next world war. As they are flying on a plane to escape the dangers on their hometown, they are shot down and crash-land on an island whose population of humans is zero. Once everything gets set in order, the boys begin creating their own society. They even elect a chief and make rules that everyone must follow. Unfortunately, not everything goes as planned, and with hostility rising between the characters as the book progresses, the fragility of human civilization is heavily explored upon in this exhilarating novel. Lord Of The Flies Femininity Analysis Lord of the Flies depicts the disintegration of the order and the collapse of the harmony mainly embedded in the conflict between Ralph and Jack, the two competing leaders in the novel. The story is set in the middle of the raging war, when a plane evacuating a group of schoolboys from Britain is shot down on a deserted island. Two of the boys, Ralph and Piggy, discover a conch and make use of it to assemble other boys. Piggy, who is the Lord of the Flies and Psychology William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, narrates the story of a group of English boys as they struggle to survive on an uncharted, uninhabited island. The boy’s airplane crashes into the island and kills any adults on board -- leaving the boys to fend for themselves. Ralph and Piggy meet each other first and, upon Piggy’s counsel, Ralph decides to call a meeting of all the boys by blowing on a conch shell. The boys quickly begin to form a society in which they elect Ralph as their leader. A boy called Jack quietly disagrees and believes that he should lead the group. As times passes, Jack and his choir become hunters for the rest of the boys and they begin to enjoy the ways of a predator. As Jack grows more savage, he becomes unhappy with the Related Topics English-language films William Golding The Lord of the Rings 342 IMAGES Lord Of The Flies Prompts Argumentative Essay Example Lord of the Flies Argumentative Essay by Mary Myers ⇉Lord of the Flies criticism Essay Example Lord of the Flies by William Golding Lord Of The Flies Full Argumentative Essay Lord of the Flies Theme Essay Example VIDEO Lord of the Flies essay Roger conclusion Lord of the Flies review AQA Lord of the Flies Predictions 2024 with Miss Adams Teaches… Sound Doctrine for Bondservants Essay Conclusions, pt. 2 LORD OF THE FLIES COMMENTS Lord of the Flies: Suggested Essay Topics Lord of the Flies Suggested Essay Topics. Previous. 1. Of all the characters, it is Piggy who most often has useful ideas and sees the correct way for the boys to organize themselves. Yet the other boys rarely listen to him and frequently abuse him. Why do you think this is the case? 89 Lord of the Flies Essay Examples and Topics Lord of the Flies, an Allegorical Novel by William Golding. As the auction proceeds, the reader follows the heartbreaking events of the book. Boys hunt down a pig and place its head on a stick as an 'offering' to the 'beast'. Evil in "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding. Lord of the Flies Suggested Essay Topics Suggested Essay Topics. PDF Cite. Chapter 1: "The Sound of the Shell". 1. Examine the characters of Ralph, Jack, or Piggy in terms of what they possess that link them with their past lives ... ≡Essays on Lord of The Flies: Top 10 Examples by GradesFixer In argumentative essays, you'll analyze and present arguments related to the novel. Here are some topic examples: 1. The role of fear in the descent into savagery on the island. 2. The symbolism of the "beast" in Lord of the Flies and its impact on the characters. Example Introduction Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay: Lord of the Flies: Critical Essays Get free homework help on William Golding's Lord of the Flies: book summary, chapter summary and analysis, quotes, essays, and character analysis courtesy of CliffsNotes. In Lord of the Flies , British schoolboys are stranded on a tropical island. In an attempt to recreate the culture they left behind, they elect Ralph to lead, with the intellectual Piggy as counselor. PDF LORD OF THE FLIES: ESSAY QUESTIONS Lord of the Flies Essay Questions Directions: You will be writing a précis on The Lord of the Flies. Choose one of the essay prompts below as the topic for your paper. If you would like to write about a different topic, you must get it approved by me before you begin. 1. Develop an explanation of why some critics feel that Golding's main ... Argumentative Essay Topics For Lord Of The Flies William Golding Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay. Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, was about a group kids, from Britain, who had gotten on a plane, and the plane was shot down. Before it had crashed though, the group of children jumped off and survived. It was good they survived but now they are trapped on an island. Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay Lord of the Flies Argumentative Essay Lord of the Flies is a classic book that most have read, and many argue about what led to the ultimate demise of the island. The book Lord of the Flies is a psychological thriller written by William Golding. The novel takes readers through the journey of a group of school-aged boys whose plane crashed on an ... Lord of the Flies: Mini Essays Lord of the Flies is an allegorical novel in that it contains characters and objects that directly represent the novel's themes and ideas. Golding's central point in the novel is that a conflict between the impulse toward civilization and the impulse toward savagery rages within each human individual. Each of the main characters in the ... Lord of the Flies Critical Essays Lord of the Flies has attracted an immense amount of both favorable and unfavorable criticism. Most vehement among the latter critics are Kenneth Rexroth, whose essay in the Atlantic Monthly ... Argumentative Essay On Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay On Lord Of The Flies. "The lord of the flies" a famous, or rather infamous, novel written by the English author William Golding. Published in 1954 not too long after the horrors of the second world war, this particular novel imagines a dystopian future of absolute nuclear war. It follows the views of a group of young war ... Lord Of The Flies 45 essay samples found. Lord of the Flies, a novel by William Golding, explores the descent into savagery of a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island. Through this narrative, the novel delves deeply into themes of human nature, civilization versus savagery, and the loss of innocence. An essay might examine the psychological and ... Argumentative Essay On Lord Of The Flies Lord of the Flies is a book that takes place during World War II, and is about a group of English school boys who crashed in a plane on an island without any adult survivors. Throughout the story, the boys struggle to keep a mindset based on rescue and survival, and instead think more about hunting and having fun, while avoiding any responsibility. Lord of the Flies: A+ Student Essay: Would Piggy Have Made a Good Piggy may have the tactical smarts to be a good leader, but because he cannot convincingly act the role, he would not be able to marshal the boys if given the chance. Although his contributions often go unappreciated, Piggy comes up with some of the most important innovations on the island. He sees the conch's potential as a rallying device ... Argumentative Essay On Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay: Simon Golding uses setting details as symbols to develop abstract characteristics of Simon. To start with, Simon has a characteristic of gentleness/goodness. In the text it states, "The deep sea breaking miles away on the reef made an undertone less perceptible than the susurration of the blood." Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay This alternative styled essay will be comparing the beginning and the ending of the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The differences will be compared in the following order; emotions, goals, ways of leadership and how civil they were overall. Argumentative Essay On Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay On Lord Of The Flies. The interdependency of parts of a civilization is seen throughout the ages, showing how when society is balanced and everything is functioning properly, there will be no conflict. However, there are empirical examples of how when there is an imbalance, civilizations often revert back to primitive ways ... Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay Namely, in the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding illustrates human nature as inherently evil through his depiction of an island full of English boys that starts with civilization and ends in savagery. Many people over the time of humanity have had various opinions on the nature of human life. Some believe humans are naturally cruel ... Lord of the Flies: Argumentative Essay Argumentative Essay Prompt: William Golding's Lord of the Flies claims two impulses exist in all human beings. The impulse to live peacefully and follow moral standards dissolves when the conch explodes into "a thousand white fragments.". Argue: Should the boys' savage and immoral behavior, shown at the end of the novel, be blamed on ... Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay After having just gathered, the boys come to a quick realisation that a leader is needed in order to keep the group intact. Two of the older boys (Jack and Ralph) argue about who should be the leader. Knowing that only one person can be the leader, future disputes are. Free Essay: Let's be honest; being stranded on an island is a real nightmare. Topics For Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay Topics For Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay 514 Words 3 Pages There is multiple claims of the novel "Lord of the Flies" written by William Golding, many concerning the physiatric state of the main characters while they endure the hardships of themselves and the island. Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay Ralph worked tirelessly on the tents while all of the other kids were playing in the water. Jack is a main character in "Lord of the Flies" but he is a jerk and he is obsessed on kill a pig that he chickened out of doing the first time. While Jack and the hunters are hunting they have a second job that is to keep the signal fire running. Lord Of The Flies Argumentative Essay Piggy Vs Lord Of The Flies Persuasive Essay During World War II, a plane crashes on an unknown island leaving multiple British schoolboys stranded with no adults. Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, tells the story of boys struggling to create a new society from scratch. assignment essay homework phd report resume review speech thesis