Lord of the Flies

Novel Notes

William GoldingWilliam Golding

Born in Cornwall, England, on Sept. 19, Born in Cornwall, England, on Sept. 19, 1911.1911.

Father was a schoolmaster and mother was Father was a schoolmaster and mother was an advocate for women’s right to vote.an advocate for women’s right to vote.

Worked as a writer, actor, and producer Worked as a writer, actor, and producer before becoming a teacher in 1939.before becoming a teacher in 1939.

Married Anne Brookfield in 1939 and joined Married Anne Brookfield in 1939 and joined the Royal Navy in 1940 to fight in WWII.the Royal Navy in 1940 to fight in WWII.

Golding’s EpiphanyGolding’s Epiphany

Joining the Royal Navy was a turning Joining the Royal Navy was a turning point in his personal philosophy.point in his personal philosophy.

Being at sea gave him the time to Being at sea gave him the time to study Greek writers and evaluate their study Greek writers and evaluate their pessimistic view of mankind, which he pessimistic view of mankind, which he compared to the brutality he saw compared to the brutality he saw about him, including being part of D-about him, including being part of D-Day—storming the beach at Day—storming the beach at Normandy.Normandy.

Golding’s Postwar SuccessGolding’s Postwar Success

After the war, he became a After the war, he became a schoolteacher, where he gained the schoolteacher, where he gained the insight into children reflected in insight into children reflected in LOTFLOTF..

In the beginning, Golding wrote to In the beginning, Golding wrote to please others, which was he came to please others, which was he came to see as futile.see as futile.

He began to write in order to please He began to write in order to please himself, and himself, and LORD OF THE FLIESLORD OF THE FLIES was was the result.the result.

Golding’s Later YearsGolding’s Later Years

Up until his death in 1993, he lived in Up until his death in 1993, he lived in Wiltshire, England, where he steered clear Wiltshire, England, where he steered clear of organized structures of society. of organized structures of society.

He belonged to no organized church, He belonged to no organized church, though he viewed himself as a religious though he viewed himself as a religious person.person.

His purpose as a writer was to “get people His purpose as a writer was to “get people to understand their own humanity, in order to understand their own humanity, in order that we may be able to deal with the true that we may be able to deal with the true nature of our inner selves.”nature of our inner selves.”

LOTFLOTF is an Allegory is an Allegory

Definition:Definition: A story with more than one level of A story with more than one level of

meaning:meaning:literal meaningliteral meaningone or more symbolic meaningsone or more symbolic meanings

Characters become symbols of Characters become symbols of abstract ideas.abstract ideas.

Historical ConnectionsHistorical Connections

This novel was written right after This novel was written right after World War II, so look for World War II, so look for similarities with characters and similarities with characters and events.events.

The title of the novel The title of the novel Lord of the Lord of the FliesFlies comes from the Greek word comes from the Greek word BeelzebubBeelzebub which means which means the devilthe devil..

Themes of the NovelThemes of the Novel Man is inherently evil.Man is inherently evil. Man is insensitive to others, their Man is insensitive to others, their

feelings, and their welfare.feelings, and their welfare. Most people live in a fantasy world Most people live in a fantasy world

that is set against reality.that is set against reality. In life, there is always an inevitable In life, there is always an inevitable

loss of innocence.loss of innocence. Man’s inhumanity to man is constant.Man’s inhumanity to man is constant. Humanity always seeks to destroy Humanity always seeks to destroy

nature.nature.

Symbolism in the NovelSymbolism in the Novel

The conch shellThe conch shell Law and order, civilizationLaw and order, civilization

The Lord of the The Lord of the FliesFlies

The devil, man’s inherent evilThe devil, man’s inherent evil

firefireHope, hope of rescue,Hope, hope of rescue,

it divides civilization from it divides civilization from savagerysavagery

Piggy’s glassesPiggy’s glasses

Man’s ability to perceive and Man’s ability to perceive and to think, it separates man to think, it separates man from the animal world, from the animal world, technologytechnology

Characters as SymbolsCharacters as Symbols

Ralph: common sense, responsibility, Ralph: common sense, responsibility, and orderand order

Jack: irresponsible authority, the Jack: irresponsible authority, the animalistic element in man, yet the animalistic element in man, yet the “man of action”“man of action”

Roger: Jack’s henchman and the Roger: Jack’s henchman and the sociopath in societysociopath in society

Piggy: ineffective intellectual in societyPiggy: ineffective intellectual in society Simon: Christ-figure who tries to bring Simon: Christ-figure who tries to bring

salvation to his worldsalvation to his world