William Golding's The Lord of the Flies

Similar to most literary classics, William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies contains allusions to the Christian Bible and character archetypes that convey universal ideas. Golding’s story focuses on a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on an island and ultimately succumb to their innate savage tendencies. Literary analysts often compare components of Lord of the Flies to various aspects in the Christian Bible. For instance, the setting in Lord of the Flies is often linked to the Garden of Eden, and some characters are thought to have religious-inspired names. Critics believe Simon’s name originates from Jesus Christ’s disciple, Peter, whose name was originally Simon. Biblical allusions exist throughout the novel associated with

Ralph represents order and discipline, while Jack represents an unhealthy drive for power and savagery. In the beginning of the novel, Ralph is voted the leader of the group and attempts to make life on the island disciplined and civilized, like their life in England. However, throughout the novel Jack rivals Ralph’s leadership role, attempting to overthrow him. As the boys’ savage impulses increase, more of them begin to side with Jack instead of going with Ralph. As Ralph loses his hold over the boys, almost all of them begin to act violently and barbaric. An example of this is when the children of the island murder Simon for no justifiable reason. Even Piggy and Ralph partake in the murder, showing that the violent human impulse is in

Jack’s behaviour develops again when he begins to challenge Ralph’s authority on the island. When the boys are discussing who will go up the mountain and find the beast Jack says he will go and yells at Ralph “coming?” This is clearly asked in a challenging and mocking tone. Jack doesn’t believe Ralph will go up the mountain because he is too scared and Jack will be able to prove to the boys that he should be their brave new leader. This is fascinating because we see Jack try to manipulate the situation so he can wrestle control from Ralph and lead the

Literary devices are techniques often used by authors to portray in-depth analyses of major characters, storylines, and central themes, which take place in a story. These analyses help readers understand a message the author is trying to convey. In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses different literary devices in order to demonstrate the boys’ struggle against the lack of society and law on the island, as well as the consequences that have transpired due to this loss. This conflict is evident through the different instances of irony, foreshadowing, and symbolism that occurs throughout the novel.

“ “Shut up,” said Ralph absently. He lifted the couch. “Seems to me we ought to have a chief to decide things around here.” (Chapter 1, Page 22) Ralph immediately notices the boys need some leadership his natural choice is to help guide these boys. He, however, lacks this responsibility. He doesn't continue to command respect from the boys. Ralph grows up faster in the book due to Jack. Later Jack breaks the tribe apart with his appealingly savage ways. Jack ended up establishing a hunting tribe. Once the tribe breaks Ralph tries to bring it back together, but since he didn’t have solid leadership skills even though he might have developed some compassion. He tries to convince Jack that he is still in charge and has power over the boys. The changes Ralph undergoes, from self-centered to group centered, doesn't reflect the island as a whole. They are all too elated to abandon the trappings of society.

In our society we have our system for power set up making the understanding of who is in charge easy; However, when the boys are stranded on an island they are forced to come up with their own system, causing rivalries and corrupting rights and values. Before being stranded on an island Jack was an innocent, well-behaved child, however, when thrown into a foreign place with no society and no system of power it is very easy to destroy all of your innocence when obtaining most power. Jack was a hunter and was in charge of all the hunter, he eventually made his own tribe and almost everyone followed him, giving him a mass amount of control. Golding shows that Jack uses his power in ways only beneficial to him, easily seen when the remainder of Ralphs tribe approach Jacks and see him, “ painted up and wearing garland around his neck” (54). Jack uses his power to idolize himself and make the other

Jack also gains power over Ralph in that he can supply meat. He gets more followers by enticing the boys with the promise of meat. Due to this, most of Ralph’s “followers” desert him and flock to Jack and his food. As their leader, Jack acts very immaturely, saying that they will hunt, and won’t do anything to try to get off the island. The other boys quite like this, as they are also immature and do not want to work, they just want

Many philosophers believe that a correct government can make a strong society. However, these philosophers do not agree on what form of government is the most “correct”. English philosopher John Locke believed that Man is inherently moral and that the purpose for government is to grant the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to its people. Another philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, however, held the belief that mankind is naturally evil and that society needs an absolute central authority to contain this evilness and grant its people with the common protection. Hobbes believes that in a state of nature, when there are no rules and everyone is granted equal power, the inherent evil impulses of Man are exposed. One

Both Jack and Ralph were struggling for power. At first, Jack and Ralph had similar goals for what they should do on the island. They quickly retreated when Jack became obsessed with hunting for pigs on the island. Ralph thought that they should keep the signal fire going at all times. Jack started to see that he did not want to leave the island he like that there were no rules. Ralph on the other hand felt that they could not be here forever. Ralph wanted to be rescued from the island. They're very different opinion forces Jack to leave Ralph's group and start his own. Jack toke most of the other boys with him leaving Ralph with very few people. From all of this Ralph started to realize that leading a group of people was not easy. There would always be people like Jack that would disagree. Jack left feeling insulted from Ralph insulting his hunting he felt that Ralph had undermined him as a result Jack turned mean and

Ralph specially cared about keeping the fire burning as a distress signal since he believed there’s no better way to help them be rescued. “The fire is the most important thing on the island. How can we ever be rescued except by luck, if we don’t keep the fire going?” (80). Ralph common sense to determine what is best for the group as a whole further demonstrates his superior leadership skills. He insisted on keeping the fire and exasperated when the boys ignored their mission. Ralph is not easily distracted person like the other boys, especially Jack when he tried to hunt the wild pig and let the fire out.

Jack is a chaotic and manipulative hunter who has been searching for a chance to seize power from Jack the entire the boys have been on the island. He is intelligent enough to see Ralph's weakening state and grip on the group. “Bollocks to the rules! We’re are strong- we hunt” (Golding 91). Jack disobeying the rules and promoting savagery is chipping away at Ralph’s order. Ralph is incapable of keeping the boys civil with the threat of jack and the lessening chances of being rescued. The fight for power between Jack and Ralph is a personification of order and

William Golding’s 1950 novel Lord of the Flies, is generally thought to construct a microcosm of humanity. As soon as the boys scar the earth and find themselves on a deserted island, Golding begins his exploration of humanity and what happens when humans are reduced to their initial primal environment. After the plane full of boys hits the island, most of the boys naturally begin to gravitate towards stronger leaders. Two boys that emerge as superiors are Ralph and Jack. Golding uses Ralph as a more of a democratic leader who appeals to the others boys’ logic. Jack on the other hand, represents a more dogmatic leader who appeals to the other boys’ fears. As the novel progresses, readers begin to explore the idea that Golding is projecting

Ralph calls upon regular meetings that everyone will attend, to discuss important issues. He also decides that the person holding the conch shell and this person alone will be the only one aloud to talk. Ralph brings ideas and rules that bring law and order (Civilization) to the island. Unlike Ralph who wants to retain a civilized society on the island Jack shows little interest in the idea of rules.

William Golding was born on September 19, 1911 in Cornwall, England (Editors n.p.). Golding was educated early with his father a schoolmaster and attempting his first novel at the age of 12 years old (Editors n.p.). Golding turned to bullying because his writings did not work out and he enjoyed beating up on other children (Editors n.p.). He attended Oxford University studying English Literature and he published his first book before he graduated (Editors n.p.). Golding saw himself aboard a ship for six years with the Royal Navy during World War II (Editors n.p.). Golding wrote the novel, Lord of The flies, upon mans struggle between good and evil, which set up his future writings (Editors n.p.). Civility and Savagery societies exhibit Leadership, organization, and Laws in different ways, but both societies exhibit different traditions.

William Golding, British writer born on September 19, 1911, has been known for his most exceptional piece of work, The Lord of the Flies. He was raised in Cornwall, England raised in a house beside a graveyard. His mother fought for women's right to vote. His father was teacher. Growing up, William began attempting to write novels, and finished his first piece at the age of twelve. Also, William was not very social growing up, and found it entertaining to hurt his classmates. He continued his higher education at Oxford University, and pursued a major in English literature and going against his father’s hopes of William becoming a scientist. In 1934, William published his first piece of work, Poems. In 1983, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for