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.
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