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"Lord of the Flies," by William Golding, is a profound allegorical novel that examines the depths of human nature through the experiences of stranded schoolboys on a deserted island after a plane crash during World War II. The story, narrated from a third-person omniscient viewpoint, delves into themes of civilization, power dynamics, the inherent evil in mankind, and the loss of innocence, while vividly portraying the struggle for survival amidst chaos. Key characters include Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and Simon, each representing different aspects of humanity.
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Lord of the Flies A Novel by William Golding
About the Author • Born in Cornwall, England in 1911 • Studied Science & English in school; became a teacher • Fought in WWII (Navy) • Witnessed the atrocities of war . . . The holocaust and the atomic bomb • Wrote Lord of the Flies when he returned from the war
About the Novel: • 12 chapters • POV: 3rd Person Omniscient Narrator • On a simple level, Lord of the Flies is an adventure story. Because of World War II, a group of schoolchildren are being transported by plane to safety. Their plane is attacked and crashes on a deserted island. The novel explores how the boys survive in such a remote, uncivilized place. • However, the novel is also rich in symbolism . . . The entire novel is symbolic in nature . . . Making this book allegorical.
Themes to consider . . . • The need for civilization • The defects of human nature • Power/abuse of power • Possibility of evil in humankind • Loss of innocence • Fear of the unknown • Mob rule/crowd mentality
Characters • SIMON: Hebrew for “listener”. Quiet and reflective, he cares for the littluns. • RALPH: means ‘consent’ or ‘agreement’. One of the oldest at 12 years, he is the leader for most of the novel. • JACK: ‘one who supplants or takes over by force’ . . . Leader of the hunters • PIGGY: Overweight, asthmatic, wears glasses • SAMNERIC: Identical twins . . . Treat as one character
HOMEWORK • Read Chapters One and Two and answer the guided questions to the best of your ability . . . • We will discuss the questions next class.