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Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

20th Century Novel
Overview

Lord of the Flies follows a group of British schoolboys stranded on an uninhabited island who attempt to govern themselves but descend into savagery. The novel explores how civilization is fragile and how quickly humans can abandon moral order when removed from societal constraints.

Plot Summary
  • 1British schoolboys crash-land on a deserted island during wartime
  • 2Ralph is elected leader and establishes rules; a signal fire is lit
  • 3Jack becomes obsessed with hunting and forms a rival tribe
  • 4The boys become increasingly savage, believing in a monster called 'the beast'
  • 5Simon discovers the beast is actually a dead parachutist but is killed by the frenzied boys
  • 6Piggy is murdered and Ralph is hunted; a naval officer arrives as the island burns
Key Themes
  • •Civilization versus savagery
  • •Loss of innocence
  • •The nature of evil and human darkness
  • •Power and leadership
  • •Fear and mob mentality
  • •The fragility of social order
Main Characters
  • Ralph: Democratic leader who tries to maintain civilization
  • Jack: Choir leader who becomes savage chief obsessed with hunting
  • Piggy: Intellectual boy who represents reason and scientific thinking
  • Simon: Sensitive boy with spiritual insight who discovers the truth about the beast
  • Roger: Cruel boy who becomes Jack's torturer
  • The Beast: Symbolic representation of the evil within humanity
Historical & Literary Context
  • Published in 1954 in the aftermath of World War II
  • Golding served in the Royal Navy during WWII and witnessed human brutality
  • Responds to earlier optimistic novels about boys' adventures
  • Reflects Cold War anxieties about human nature and nuclear warfare
  • Influenced by Golding's experience as a schoolteacher
Exam Relevance & Tips
  • Analyze how Golding uses symbolism (the conch, the beast, the fire) to convey themes
  • Examine the conflict between Ralph and Jack as representing civilization versus savagery
  • Discuss how the novel presents different leadership styles
  • Consider the significance of the island setting and the boys' backgrounds
  • Explore how Golding portrays the loss of innocence and descent into evil
Why This Matters

Lord of the Flies offers a stark and disturbing view of human nature, suggesting that the veneer of civilization is thin and easily stripped away. Its exploration of how quickly order can collapse into chaos, and how fear and power can corrupt even children, provides essential insights into human psychology and social breakdown that remain disturbingly relevant.