Lord of the Flies By William Golding Published in 1954

1. Lord of the FliesBy William GoldingPublished in 1954 Marshall-Lee Mundin

2. Setting & Significance (Basic Conflicts) The action takes place on a tiny coral island in the South Pacific during a war in which an atomic bomb may been used. Man vs. Self- Simon Man vs. Society- Biguns and Liluns Man vs. Nature- The fire, wind, land, and sea Man vs. Man- Ralph vs. Jack

3. Subjects/ Theme Statements Savagery and Civilization-The central concern of Lord of the Flies is the conflict between two competing impulses that exist within all human beings. The instinct to live by rules, act peacefully, follow moral commands, and value the good of the group against the instinct to gratify one’s immediate desires, act violently to obtain supremacy over others, and enforce one’s will. Loss of Innocence- As the boys on the island progress from well-behaved, orderly children longing for rescue to cruel, bloodthirsty hunters who have no desire to return to civilization, they naturally lose the sense of innocence that they possessed at the beginning of the novel.

4. Analysis of Major Characters Ralph- is the athletic, charismatic protagonist of Lord of the Flies. Elected the leader of the boys at the beginning of the novel, Ralph is the primary representative of order, civilization, and productive leadership in the novel. Jack- the strong-willed, egomaniacal Jack is the novel’s primary representative of the instinct of savagery, violence, and the desire for power—in short, the antithesis of Ralph. Simon- stands on an entirely different plane from all the other boys. Simon embodies a kind of innate, spiritual human goodness that is deeply connected with nature and, in its own way, as primal as Jack’s evil. Piggy- subject of the group's ridicule for his weight, asthma, and general lack of physical prowess or stamina. He provides the brains of the group, as well as the spectacles necessary to start the fire. Loyal to Ralph and all he represents, Piggy's death leaves Ralph alone, pitted in social isolation against Jack's tribe.

5. Analysis of Minor Characters Roger- A sly, secretive boy who displays, early on, a cruelty toward the weak and vulnerable. Once joining Jack's tribe, he becomes the hangman, causing Piggy's death, torturing Sam and Eric until they join the tribe, and preparing a stick on which to mount Ralph's head. Sam and Eric- The twin boys who are in charge of keeping the signal fire going. Until they are captured by the tribe, they remain loyal to Ralph. They speak as one, often finishing each other's sentences, so that the other boys pronounce their two names as one word. Littluns The littlest boys, around ages six and up. They remain with Ralph during the mutiny. Maurice- A bigun who becomes one of Jack's key supporters, accompanying him on the raids on Ralph's camp. Robert- A bigun who plays the role of the pig in one of the tribal dances that reenact a hunt. He is hurt when the dance turns into a fierce beating. Percival WemysMadison- A littlun who has a nervous breakdown and is often picked on by the other littluns. He introduces the idea that the beast might arrive from the sea. Johnny- One of the smaller littluns who has a mean streak nonetheless. Henry- The biggest of the littluns. He has made the object of a mean-spirited prank by Roger.

6. Major Symbols and Motifs Motifs: Biblical Parallels- the novel does echo certain Christian images and themes. Golding does not make any explicit or direct connections to Christian symbolism in Lord of the Flies. Symbols: The Conch Shell- use it to summon the boys together after the crash separates them. Piggy’s Glasses- his glasses represent the power of science and intellectual endeavor in society. The Signal Fire- the signal fire becomes a barometer of the boys’ connection to civilization. The Beast- stands for the primal instinct of savagery that exists within all human beings. The Lord of the Flies- a symbol of the power of evil.

7. Protagonists Dilemma, Decisions, & Significance Piggy, as a protagonist, faced many dilemmas with Jack. Although Jack exemplified characteristics of an antagonist he often made his followers believe he was trying to do things that were in their best interest. The significance of the relationship between Piggy and Jack shows how Jack took out his insecurities and lack of self-confidence and on the one character who appeared to all to be the weak link. By him using Piggy as his target, Jack was able to discredited Piggy ideas and suggestions.

8. Significance of Beginning and Ending Major Conflict- the boys marooned on the island struggle with the conflicting human instincts that exist within each of them. RisingAction- the boys assemble on the beach. In the election for leader, Ralph defeats Jack, who is furious when he loses. Climax- Simon encounters the Lord of the Flies in the forest glade and realizes that the beast is not a physical entity but rather something that exists within each boy on the island. Falling Action- Virtually all the boys on the island abandon Ralph and Piggy and descend further into savagery and chaos. When the other boys kill Piggy and destroy the conch shell, Ralph flees from Jack’s tribe and encounters the naval officer on the beach.

9. Quotes with context and significance • “What I mean is . . . maybe it’s only us” • During the meeting in which the boys consider the question of the beast. • “You got your small fire all right.” • For the first time, the boys realize their capacity for destruction. • “We may stay here till we die.” • The boys are frightening and don’t know what to do. • “This head is for the beast. It’s a gift.” • The beast becomes almost a religious figure in the eyes of the boys.