Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Key takeaways

• Lord of the Flies is a novel by William Golding that was published in 1954.
• The novel is an allegorical and dystopian fiction.
• The main characters are Jack, Piggy, Ralph, Simon, Sam, Roger, and Eric.
• The novel uses extensive symbolism (the conch shell symbolising order and civilisation,
the 'beast' symbolising innate savagery) and allegorical characters (Ralph representing
order, Jack representing savagery) to deliver its themes.
• The war that's happening in the background of the boys' ordeal and the naval officer's
inability to understand the boys' predicament at the end of the novel, suggest a critique
of the adult world. It implies that the issues we see in the boys’ society are a reflection of
the problems in the adult world.

Lord of the Flies analysis

Lord of the Flies portrays the boys' descent from order to anarchy, symbolising the fragility of
civilisation. The novel examines the inherent evil that can emerge when societal constraints are
removed, highlighting the destructive power of fear and the struggle for power. One notable
example is the character Jack, who represents primitive instincts and a desire for dominance.
Golding's use of symbolism, such as the 'beast' and the conch shell, further enhances the
allegorical nature of the story.

Lord of the Flies falls under several literary genres:

Adventure Fiction: The story unfolds around a group of boys who are stranded on an
uninhabited island, providing an adventurous backdrop. The characters face various challenges,
which they must overcome to survive.

Dystopian Fiction: As the novel progresses, the island society that the boys create deteriorates
into chaos and cruelty, making it a dystopian narrative. This genre is characterised by a society
that is undesirable or frightening, which is the case as the boys' island society becomes
increasingly savage and violent.
Allegorical Fiction: The novel is also an allegory, which means it can be interpreted to reveal a
hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. The novel uses the characters to explore the
inherent evil in human nature and the thin veneer of civilisation.

Psychological Fiction: The book explores the mental states of the boys and how their
psychological conditions change with time in the absence of societal norms and regulations. It
examines the dark side of the human psyche and the instinctual drive towards savagery when
the constraints of civilisation are removed.

Speculative Fiction: Since the story doesn't take place in a real, specified location and involves a
hypothetical situation (a plane full of boys crashes on a deserted island), it can also be
considered a type of speculative fiction.

Lord of the Flies themes

Lord of the Flies explores themes of civilisation versus savagery, the loss of innocence, and the
inherent darkness within humanity.

The inherent evil in human nature: The boys' descent into savagery suggests that humans are
naturally inclined towards chaos and violence, challenging the idea that civilisation can suppress
our baser instincts.

The loss of innocence: The boys, initially innocent schoolchildren, lose their innocence as they
succumb to their primal instincts.

The power of fear: Fear, both of the unknown and of each other, drives the boys to commit
horrific acts and leads to their downfall.

The conflict between civilisation and savagery: The struggle between Ralph (representing order,
civilisation, and moral conscience) and Jack (representing savagery, desire for power, and
amorality) illustrates the broader conflict between the forces of civilisation and savagery.
Power and Manipulation: The story examines different types of power and the ways they can be
used and abused. Jack uses fear and manipulation to gain power, while Ralph relies on
democracy and reason. This difference leads to a struggle for control.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lord of the Flies

Q. What is Lord of the Flies about?

Lord of the Flies is about a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on an uninhabited
island after their plane crashes. At first, they attempt to establish order and rules, but their
society gradually descends into chaos and violence. The novel explores themes of civilisation,
savagery, and the inherent evil within human beings.

Q. What is the meaning of the Lord of the Flies?

The title Lord of the Flies is a literal translation of 'Beelzebub,' a name often associated with
Satan in Christian mythology. In the novel, the 'Lord of the Flies' is a pig's head on a stake that
becomes a symbol of the inner beast or inherent evil within humans. It represents the savagery
and irrationality that can arise when the constraints of civilisation are removed.

Q. What is the moral of the Lord of the Flies?

One potential moral of Lord of the Flies is that civilisation is fragile, and without it, humans can
quickly descend into savagery. It suggests that there's an inherent evil or beast within each
person, which can surface when societal norms and regulations are absent.

Q. What are examples of irony of irony in Lord of the Flies?

Several examples of irony exist in Lord of the Flies. One major instance is when the boys set the
island on fire to smoke Ralph out, intending to kill him. Ironically, it's this fire that signals a
passing ship and leads to their rescue. Another example is the boys' fear of the 'beast', which
turns out to be their own inner savagery. Also, the naval officer who rescues the boys is shocked
at their descent into savagery, yet he comes from a world at war, indicating the pervasive nature
of violence and conflict.
Q. What are the three main themes of Lord of the Flies?
The three main themes of Lord of the Flies are the conflict between civilisation and savagery, the
loss of innocence, and the inherent evil in human nature. These themes explore how societal
order can break down and how individuals can descend into brutality when removed from the
constraints of civilisation.

Q. Why is Piggy important in the novel?

Piggy is important in the novel because he represents intellectualism, reason, and the voice of
wisdom. Despite being marginalised due to his physical appearance, his advice and ideas often
prove to be valuable. His death represents the final collapse of the boys' initial attempts at
maintaining a civilized society. His glasses, used to start fires, also symbolise the power of
science and intellectual endeavour, which is misused as the boys descend into savagery.