An Introduction

Fiction and Fable “simultaneously” Fiction Fable

An explorationTrying to make clear the

individuality of a situation

General idea – “all power corrupts”, “slow and steady wins the race” – translated into fictional terms.

Individual situation points to the generalisation behind it.

L.o.t.F. as FableExamining human nature as it ‘really’ is without

the social detail that provides recognisable features of daily life (a deserted island with no “grown ups”)

1. Discuss the term ‘really’.2.What is the “real self”?Terrifying gap between the appearance and the

reality. To what is this making reference?“the darkness of a man’s heart” – comment on the

possible social and historical factors in making this ‘close to the subject of the book’ for Golding.

First SectionArrival of boys, the assembly, the early

decisions, paradisal landscape, hope of rescue, pleasure of day-to-day events, childhood ‘games’ = est. of law and rule, sense of forbidden, societies structures

BUT No parents… ‘the waning of the light’ is usually

when parents call in their children from play.The dark is a time of the unknown; ‘beasties’,

‘boogyman’, ‘monster under the bed’.

Second SectionThreat becomes physical reality (dead

airman)Fears crystallised; action neededTempo increases; implications enlargeDestruction is everywhere; perceived threat

is not external unknown (beastie), but man’s own nature; themselves

Simon’s death authenticates this truth

Third SectionMeaning and consequence of this evil act

explored; morally anarchy is unleashed; rule and order destroyed

Golding then returns the ‘external scene’, our world, via arrival of naval officer

Everyday sight returned to the reader, leading us to re-interpret what we see… do you think the book will change the way you see the world?

Perspectives and ReadingsChristian; deeply moving interpretation of the

doctrine of original sinHumanist; repellant, as this is a dangerous mythLiberal thinker; exposition of the corruptions of

power

The true quality of L.o.t.F. is not dependant on any of these readings

The function of the novelist is to “make you hear, make you feel, make you see” – not necessarily the abstraction of ideas.

L.o.t.F. as Fiction – Same thing from a different point of viewCoral Island (Ballantyne)Treasure Island (Stevenson)Swallows and Amazons (?)Avoidance of the clichéd island paradise; sensitivity

to language; rhythms of speech to encapsulate schoolboy mentality and social difference (e.g. Ralph and Piggy) – “make you hear, make you feel… make you see”

Momentum, power and inevitability of incidents; time passes, games give way to mock hunting, then to the terrible realisation of a previous pretence, “kill the pig. Cut her throat. Bash her in.” Notice chant like rhythms… what do these suggest about the boys?