Lord of the Flies1954

Introduction and Background

Title Translation“Beelzebub” a Hebrew word

forLUCIFER

However, the literal translation of “Beelzebub”

into English is LORD OF THE FLIES

L.O.T.F AuthorWilliam GoldingBorn in Britain

1911-1993

About William Golding

• British novelist• Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in

literature• Fought in Royal Navy during WWII• Participated in invasion of Normandy on

D-Day• At war’s end, returned to teaching and

writing

In the decade before LOTF was published, Britain had been involved in two wars:

• WWII• Korean War

As a child, Golding had witnessed WWI, which was referred to as “the war to end all wars”

HOWEVER,22 years later Britain was

again involved in ANOTHER WAR to end all wars, which

caused more devastation than was imaginable

Through LOTF, Golding is making the statement that we cannot escape our

savage, violent tendencies…

…and without social order,we devolve

into a state of chaos

Golding’s Fiction

• Allegorical – The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in

narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. – A story, picture, or play employing such representation. John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

and Herman Melville's Moby Dick are allegories.– A symbolic representation: The blindfolded figure with scales is an allegory of justice.

• Allusions to– Classical literature– Mythology– Christian Symbolism

Lord of the Flies • “It was simply what seemed sensible for me to

write after the war when everyone was thanking God they weren’t Nazi’s. I’d seen enough to realize that every single one of us could be Nazi’s.”– William Golding on his novel Lord of the Flies

Philosophical Influence

John Hobbes English Philosopher: 1588- 1679 Man is by nature selfishly individualistic Man constantly at war with other men Fear of violent death is sole motivation to create

civilizations Men need to be controlled by absolute sovereignty to

avoid brutish behavior

Themes in the Novel

Civilization vs. SavageryLoss of InnocenceOriginal SinFear that separates one from GodNature of Good and Evil Goodness is rare and fleeting

LOTF Symbols (Objects, characters, figures, or colors that represent ideas

or concepts) Piggy’s Glasses = The

last surviving evidence of the lawful, structured world

Conch Shell = New

democracy on the island

Snake = Evil…reference to the serpent in the garden of Eden

Motifs in the Novel

Biblical parallels (book criticized for re-telling episodes in the Bible)

Pristine places corrupted by evilBeel’zebub- Hebrew translation for Lord of

the flies

Important Images• The Beast = The

imaginary evil that is projected onto the island by the boys’ paranoia

• Lord of the Flies = A pig’s head on a stick that becomes the physical acceptance of evil on the island

TERMS to REMEMBER• Microcosm = A

small world that represents the world at large

• Edenic = Eden like, paradise like, a setting that has not yet been spoiled by man

Character Analysis• 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 morality

Translation = GOOD

Character Analysis• Piggy \ Described as

“fat,” “intellectual,” asthmatic, and needs glasses

Represents scientific,

rational side of civilization, and social order

Character Analysis• Jack ~ Described as having red hair,

wears black with a snake clasp, ugly

Cruel and manipulativeRepresents our savage instincts played out

EVIL

Allusion- (n.) an indirect reference to something

There are many, many modern day allusions to Lord of the Flies in popular culture.

For example….

Modern Day Allusions

The SimpsonsThe Simpson’s episode titled Das Bus is a parody of Lord of the Flies.

SurvivorMarK Burnett’s CBS

island show is said to have been inspired by LOTF.

Sponge Bob SquarepantsThe episode Club Spongebob is a spoof of LOTF.

Popular MusicBands such as

Taking Back Sunday, Nine Inch Nails, AFI, Iron Maiden, and Pink Floyd have written songs about or have alluded to LOTF in their music.