Lord of the Flies What does it mean

Lord of the Flies What does it mean to be civilized? EQ: How does society influence and shape the individual? What symbolic meaning do the characters have in LOTF? 1

Literary Elements n n n Allegory Symbols & Symbolism Static character Dynamic character Irony Theme – Good versus evil – Innate innocence – War & military versus peace – Law & order versus chaos 2

“Kyrie Eleison” Kyr´i`e e`lei´son These are the lyrics of the song sung and background music throughout the film version of the novel. We will see some of it after finishing the novel. 1. Greek words, meaning "Lord, have mercy upon us, " used in the Mass, the breviary offices, the litany of the saints, etc. 2. The name given to the response to the Commandments, in the service of the Church of England of the Protestant Episcopal Church. n http: //www. webster-dictionary. net/definition/Kyrie%20 eleison 3

Ralph Derived from the Anglo-Saxon word for “council. ” n Ralph ~ Main character described as “fair haired, ” having “broad shoulders…[like a] boxer’s, ” and has a face that “proclaims no devil” Committed to civilization and n morality 4

Jack Derived from Hebrew name Jacob which means “supplanter” or “one who takes over” n Described as having red hair, wears black with a snake clasp. n Cruel and manipulative. Represents our savage instincts played out……EVIL n 5

Piggy Vulnerable, hunted, reduced importance, not respected (doesn’t even rate being called by his real name!) n Piggy: Described as “fat, ” “intellectual, ” asthmatic, and needs glasses. Represents scientific, rational side of civilization, and social order. n 6

Simon Derived from Hebrew name Shim’on which means “one who listens” or “one who observes. ” n Described as a skinny, vivid little boy, who “meditates; ” and he faints, which some cultures have believed is a sign of connecting with the spiritual world. n Seems to be connected with nature, and he has an innate, spiritual goodness n 7

Sam & Eric = Samneric Identical twins who are always together. n Described as barely having enough skin to cover both, bullet-headed, and they finish each other’s sentences. n The last to remain loyal to Ralph. n Represent the tug-of-war within us to remain good. n 8

Roger - “Famous with a spear-” n “Silent” and sadistic. Targets the “littluns. ” n The only one to premeditate murder. n Kills without conscience…. . Pure evil. n 9

“Littluns” n. A name for all the little children – mostly whose names we never learn. 10

William Golding, Author Born in 1911, Golding was the son of an English schoolmaster, a many-talented man who believed strongly in science and rational thought. Golding often described his father's overwhelming influence on his life. The author graduated from Oxford University in 1935 and spent four years (later described by Golding as having been "wasted") writing, acting, . and producing for a next small London theater. Golding himself became schoolmaster for a year, after marrying Ann Brookfield in 1939 and before entering the British Royal Navy in 1940. n From an unknown schoolmaster in 1954, when Lord of the Flies was first published…. In 1983 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature…. Golding died of a heart attack in 1993. n http: //www. monmouth. com/~literature/LOTF/student/Bio. htm n 11

Author’s Purpose “…finally getting the idea for Lord of the Flies after reading a bedtime boys adventure story [The Coral Island (1857) by R. M. Ballantyne] to his small children. Golding wondered out loud to his wife whether it would be a good idea to write such a story but to let the characters "behave as they really would. " n His wife thought that would be a "first class idea. " With that encouragement, Golding found that writing the story, the ideas for which had been germinating in his mind for some time, was simply a matter of getting it down on paper. ” n http: //www. monmouth. com/~literature/LOTF/student/Bio. htm 12

Symbolism & Literary Elements n Think like a genius: the parachutist is a________, so he represents the “invasion” of _________ on the island. This could easily foreshadow _________. What is this literary device? “…with guano layered on them like icing…” 13

Circles as Symbols n A circle represents _________, so when the boys danced in a circle they were symbolically _______ against _________. 14

Review of Symbols n n n n n Piggy & glasses = Ralph & conch = Simon & Lot. F Roger Jack & spears Island Scar Beast Lord of the Flies Pig’s head Plane crash Signal fire Parachutist Big’uns Littl’un with birthmark Naval officer 15