Transcript Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies
William Golding’s Masterpiece
Summary
 Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of English schoolboys
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marooned on a tropical island after their plane is shot down during a
war.
its exploration of the idea of human evil is at least partly based on
Golding’s experience with the real-life violence and brutality of World
War II.
Free from the rules and structures of civilization and society, the boys
on the island in Lord of the Flies descend into savagery.
In his portrayal of the small world of the island, Golding paints a
broader portrait of the fundamental human struggle between the
civilizing instinct—the impulse to obey rules, behave morally, and act
lawfully—and the savage instinct—the impulse to seek brute power
over others, act selfishly, scorn moral rules, and indulge in violence.
Island is a microcosm of society, politics, and human psychology
Ralph
 Ralph is the most charismatic of the group.
He is initially chosen as leader due to his
many positive qualities. He maintains a
conflict with Jack throughout the entire
novel, attempting to keep order whereas
Jack isn't concerned with it. Ralph and
Piggy together represent the struggle for
order and democracy.
Piggy
 Piggy is a short and overweight boy who wears
glasses and represents order and democracy.He
tries very hard to cling to civilization, and tries his
best to keep peace. While probably the smartest
boy on the island, he lacks any social skills
whatsoever, and has trouble communicating or
fitting in with the others. His glasses are a very
important part of the book, as they are used over
and over to start fires. Piggy's constant polishing
of them shows his desire for clear-sightedness and
civilization.
Jack
 Jack is about Ralph's age, with a skinnier
build and red hair. From the very beginning,
he seems to harbor emotions of anger and
savagery. At first, he is the leader of his
choir group, who become hunters as the
book progresses. He eventually overtakes
Ralph as chief/leader.
Simon
 Simon is younger than the three previous
boys, but older than other littluns. He is
very good and pure, and has the most
positive outlook.Simon often travels into his
tranquil spot in the jungle, but also tries to
help out when it is needed. He meets up
with a pig's head skewered on a stick which
leads him to an epileptic episode.
Themes
 society holds everyone together, and without
specific societal conditions, our ideals, values, and
the basic concept of right and wrong are lost.
 People will abuse power when it's not earned.
 When given a chance, people often single out
another to degrade to improve their own security.
 Inner savagery can only be suppressed for so long
before it breaks out, given the right situation.
 The fear of the unknown can be a powerful force,
which can turn you to either insight or hysteria.
Allegory
 A work of fiction carrying two levels of
meaning:
- 1) a surface plot/narrative (literal)
- 2) symbolic/metaphorical meaning in
which everything in story symbolizes
something greater
A Freudian Allegory
Ralph, Jack, and Piggy
 Id
– The part of the personality reflecting unorganized, instinctual
impulses. If unbridled, it seeks immediate gratification of
primitive needs.
 Ego
– The part of the personality corresponding most nearly to the
perceived self, the controlling self that holds back the
impulsiveness of the id in the effort to delay gratification until
it can be found in socially approved ways.
 Superego
– The part of the personality corresponding most nearly to
conscience, controlling through moral scruples rather than by
way of social expediency. The superego is said to be an
uncompromising and punishing conscience.
Social Influence
 1. Compliance
– The person at whom the influence is directed (the target) publicly
conforms to the wishes of the influencing source but does not
change his or her private beliefs or attitudes. (The child eats the
spinach but continues to dislike it.)
 2. Internalization
– The target changes his or her beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors
because of a genuine belief in the validity of the position
advocated by the influencing source. (A middle-aged man gives up
smoking after reading – and believing – the surgeon general's
warnings that smoking causes cancer.)
 3. Identification
– The target changes his or her beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors in
order to resemble an influencing source that is respected or
admired. (A high school girl takes up smoking in order to be like a
group of older girls she admires.)
 Deindividuation – sense of self diminished when in a crowd (mob
mentality)
Social Influence
 Compliance – Samneric
 Internalization – Roger, Jack
 Identification – most of the boys
 Deindividuation – death of Simon, attack
on Ralph
Political Allegory
 The world was divided into two camps, the
free world and the Soviet Union, much like
the camps of Ralph and Jack. In addition,
the postwar Cold War Era suffered from
fears of atomic destruction. Lord of the
Flies shows the world at the brink of atomic
destruction. The novel serves as a warning
to the leaders of the world.
Continued…
 Ralph as the democratic chief (conch)
 Piggy as the intellectual (glasses)
 Jack as the dictator (knife)
 Roger as the executioner (rock)
 On the island, democracy, order and
intellect are destroyed, leaving chaos and
violence.
Religious Allegory
 Garden of Eden: It was a perfect island
with good food, good weather, and good
water. The island is destroyed by the
inherent evil of humanity.
 The plane scars the island.
 The island is burnt down by the boys.
Religious Allegory Cont.
 The beastie is the snake in the Garden that
lures (tricks) the others to refuse their duty.
 The parachutist and Piggy represent the fall
of mankind.
 Jack and Ralph are very much like Cain and
Abel.
 Simon is a Christ figure who sacrifices
himself to save them.