Introduction to Lord of the Flies The Author

Introduction to Lord of the Flies

The Author and Context • William Golding – born 1911 • Outbreak of WW 1 – 1914 • Outbreak of WW 2 – 1939 – Golding served in the Royal Navy • He saw much action (inc. the Normandy Landings) and said that the war was a turning point for him when he began to realise what human beings were capable of

• He believed that our humanity lies in our ability to make value judgements – what is good/bad right/wrong – and that science cannot answer these questions • He learned about children’s behaviour when he was a school master • He explores human nature through the characters of Ralph, Jack, Roger, Piggy and Simon in the novel • Nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – 1945 • Soviet Union exploded A bomb in 1949 starting the Cold War and paranoia of Communism • Lord of the Flies published – 1954 • Golding died at home - 1993

• Golding was also influenced by a novel called Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean, by R. M. Ballantyne in which a group of British children are marooned on an island • In Ballantyne’s book, the children behave like right and proper British citizens – Golding found the story childish and unlikely • Name of Beelzebub – Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ translated as ‘Lord of the flies’

Historical Events During Golding’s Life 35, 000 45, 000 6, 000 5. 7 million 20, 000 5, 500 approx. . • Number of people killed in the bombing of Dresden • Number killed by the atomic bomb on Hiroshima (pop. Of 225, 000 people) • Number of Jews exterminated in the Final Solution • Number of Russian Prisoners of War in World War Two • Stalin killed this many of his own people • Number of allied troops killed in the Normandy D Day landings

DRESDEN – NOW and THEN

What is Golding’s view of Human Nature? How do you know this? How might the events of World War Two have influenced this view?

Studying the Novel • First, identify the main characters • Then create a chapter-by-chapter narrative timeline listing the main events of each

Important Characters • • • Ralph – the elected leader Piggy – intelligent but an outsider Jack – ex head boy, hunter and Chief Roger – Jack’s cruel lieutenant Maurice – a loyal savage but without Roger’s brutality • Simon – shy, sensitive and courageous • Sam and Eric (Samaneric) – twins; seen as one person

Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell • • Setting is established – the island Ralph and Piggy find the conch and call 1 st meeting Jack and choirboys arrive Piggy’s nickname – links to the main theme of ‘the beast’ (we never learn his true name) • Ralph elected as chief • Ralph, Jack and Simon explore island • The piglet

Chapter 2 – Fire on the Mountain • Idea of ‘the beast’ is introduced by the ‘littleuns’ • Differences between Ralph and Jack – fire, order and hunting • Fire and its purpose – main theme throughout book • Piggy’s glasses used to start 1 st fire • Hunters to watch over it • Piggy’s pleas to ‘act proper’ • First death – fire out of control

Chapter 3 – Huts on the Beach • • • Jack goes pig hunting – unsuccessfully Ralph builds shelters, helped by Simon Jack’s hunting obsession develops Further differences between Ralph and Jack Simon goes off into the forest on his own – we learn more about him as a character • Boys begin to do what they want – foreshadowing the ‘savages’ they will later become

Chapter 4 – Painted Faces and Long Hair • Roger on the beach with the ‘littleuns’ – signs of brutality to come • Jack paints his face and goes hunting • Ralph spots a ship • Fire is out • Pig killed – re-enactment of hunt • Jack smashes one of Piggy’s lenses • Ralph calls a meeting after fire goes out • Growing divide between Ralph and Jack • Jack clearly hates Piggy

Chapter 5 – Beast from Water • Ralph prepares for another meeting and considers his role as chief • He lays the ground rules for behaviour • They discuss the beast • Piggy and Simon are ignored • Piggy realises that their fear is of people - logical • Ralph and Jack disagree further and the meeting ends • Simon and Piggy urge Ralph to remain as chief • They wish for a sign from the grown up world

Chapter 6 – Beast from Air • A dead parachutist lands on the island – a message from the adult world (which is at war) • Sam and Eric tend the fire – they see ‘the beast’ • Jack announces that they should hunt the beast and ridicules the conch – importance of action • Bigger boys, without Piggy, go to unexplored part of island • We see Ralph’s brave leadership qualities • Simon understands the true nature of the beast

Chapter 7 – Shadows and Tall Trees • Ralph realises how the boys are in decline – dirty and unkempt • Simon knows that Ralph will return home safely • Ralph reflects on home – flashback technique • Boys re-enact wild boar hunt. Robert is hurt. Boys further descend into savagery • Ralph, Jack and Roger see ‘the beast’ • The island is a hostile place – language point (figurative language)

Chapter 8 – Gift for the Darkness • Ralph, Jack and Roger report what they have seen • Jack tries to overthrow Ralph but is rejected and leaves – others soon follow him • New fire on the platform • Jack becomes ‘the Chief’ – hunting, feasting and becoming ever more primitive • Severed sow’s head on stick – Lord of the Flies • Simon goes off alone and hears the words of the beast – he knows what it is

Chapter 9 – A View to a Death • Simon sees the dead parachutist and heads off to tell the others • Ralph and Piggy feast with Jack and clash over leadership styles (the use of the conch) • Thunderstorm and Piggy senses trouble • Tribal dance • Simon stumbles into dancing circle • Simon is killed as the beast • Bodies of Simon and parachutist wash out to sea

Chapter 10 – The Shell and the Glasses • Piggy and Ralph talk about the dance • Sam and Eric join them – all lie to themselves about what happened • Jack sets up camp at the other end of the island • Ralph and Piggy fail to light the fire • Raid by Jack and the hunters • Theft of Piggy’s glasses • Jack’s brutal dictatorship established

Chapter 11 – Castle Rock • No more fire on the beach • The conch group confront the hunters – Ralph intends to be civilised • Piggy takes the conch to Castle Rock • Roger rolls the rock on to Piggy • Conch is destroyed and Piggy is killed • Sam and Eric are captured by the hunters • Ralph is alone – hunters hurl spears at him

Chapter 12 – Cry of the Hunters • Ralph hides and considers his options • He sees the pigs head and takes away the spear that supports it – different to Simon’s reaction • Ralph visits Sam and Eric – now prisoners of Jack • Ralph is totally alone • Ralph is hunted • Fire on the island • Ship arrives • Ralph is rescued • Naval officer (from world of war) gets it wrong