Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies

William GoldingWilliam Golding

ReviewReview

Ch. 9 “A View to a Death”Ch. 9 “A View to a Death” Simon recovers from his seizure, goes to top of Simon recovers from his seizure, goes to top of

mountain and sees the parachutistmountain and sees the parachutist Ralph and Piggy attend Jack’s feast – WHY?Ralph and Piggy attend Jack’s feast – WHY? Jack “sat there like an idol” – recruits tribe Jack “sat there like an idol” – recruits tribe

membersmembers Does Jack actually believe in the Beast, or is he Does Jack actually believe in the Beast, or is he

simply manipulating the boys by taking advantage simply manipulating the boys by taking advantage of their fear?of their fear?

Ralph cannot maintain power by invoking the rule Ralph cannot maintain power by invoking the rule of the conchof the conch

Ch. 9 “A View to a Death”Ch. 9 “A View to a Death” Approaching storm – ritual chant and dance as a Approaching storm – ritual chant and dance as a

distractiondistraction ““There was the throb and stamp of a single There was the throb and stamp of a single

organism.”organism.” Piggy and Ralph – on the outside of the circle – Piggy and Ralph – on the outside of the circle –

“eager to take a place in this demented but partly “eager to take a place in this demented but partly secure society.”secure society.”

Simon stumbles into the center of the circle and is Simon stumbles into the center of the circle and is killedkilled

Parachutist flies over the heads of the boys and Parachutist flies over the heads of the boys and out to seaout to sea

Simon’s body is carried out to sea by the tideSimon’s body is carried out to sea by the tide

Ch. 10 “The Shell and the Glasses”Ch. 10 “The Shell and the Glasses” Ralph, Piggy, Sam n Eric at Ralph’s campRalph, Piggy, Sam n Eric at Ralph’s camp Discussion between Ralph and Piggy Discussion between Ralph and Piggy

regarding Simon’s deathregarding Simon’s deathWhat did each see?What did each see?What is the reaction of each to Simon’s What is the reaction of each to Simon’s

death? Why does each death? Why does each react in this way?react in this way?

At Castle Rock, Roger admires the lever At Castle Rock, Roger admires the lever and rock and “the possibilities of and rock and “the possibilities of irresponsible authority” -- What does this irresponsible authority” -- What does this mean?mean?

Ch. 10 “The Shell and the Glasses”Ch. 10 “The Shell and the Glasses” Jack tries to explain to the other the events of the Jack tries to explain to the other the events of the

previous nightprevious night Does Jack know that Simon was killed? Does he Does Jack know that Simon was killed? Does he

believe in the Beast?believe in the Beast? ““He came – disguised.”He came – disguised.” ““How could we – kill – it?”How could we – kill – it?” ““And then if he comes we’ll do our dance again.”And then if he comes we’ll do our dance again.” What new powers are attributed to the Beast?What new powers are attributed to the Beast? Ralph can’t remember the purpose of the fireRalph can’t remember the purpose of the fire Jack, Roger, Maurice steal Piggy’s glasses; they Jack, Roger, Maurice steal Piggy’s glasses; they

do not take the conchdo not take the conch

Ch. 11 “Castle Rock”Ch. 11 “Castle Rock” Ralph and Piggy prepare to confront JackRalph and Piggy prepare to confront Jack Why do they try to clean themselves up before Why do they try to clean themselves up before

going to castle Rock?going to castle Rock? ““They understood only too well the liberation into They understood only too well the liberation into

savagery that the concealing paint brought.”savagery that the concealing paint brought.”

Ralph forgets the purpose of fire and smoke – Ralph forgets the purpose of fire and smoke – Piggy must remind himPiggy must remind him

Fight between Ralph and JackFight between Ralph and Jack

Samneric captured – “See? They do what I want.”Samneric captured – “See? They do what I want.”

Ch. 11 “Castle Rock”Ch. 11 “Castle Rock” Roger kills Piggy; the conch is shatteredRoger kills Piggy; the conch is shattered

Jack – “See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I Jack – “See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I meant that! There isn’t a tribe for you any meant that! There isn’t a tribe for you any more! The conch is gone – ”more! The conch is gone – ”

Roger – “wielding a nameless authority.”Roger – “wielding a nameless authority.”

Ch. 12 ”Cry of the Hunters”Ch. 12 ”Cry of the Hunters” Ralph becomes the hunted – compare to Ralph becomes the hunted – compare to

hunts in Ch. 1, 4, 8hunts in Ch. 1, 4, 8 Samneric are captivesSamneric are captives ““Roger sharpened a stick at both ends.”Roger sharpened a stick at both ends.” Final hunt through the forest – boys roll Final hunt through the forest – boys roll

bouldersboulders Set the island on fire at Jack’s instruction – Set the island on fire at Jack’s instruction –

compare final fire to the one in Ch. 2compare final fire to the one in Ch. 2 ““The fools! The fools! The fire must almost The fools! The fools! The fire must almost

be at the fruit trees – what would they eat be at the fruit trees – what would they eat tomorrow?”tomorrow?”

Ch. 12 ”Cry of the Hunters”Ch. 12 ”Cry of the Hunters” Smoke attracts naval vesselSmoke attracts naval vessel Rescued by officerRescued by officer

““Fun and games.”Fun and games.”

““What have you been doing? Having a What have you been doing? Having a war or something?” war or something?”

What is the irony of the ending of the novel?What is the irony of the ending of the novel?

Ch. 12 ”Cry of the Hunters”Ch. 12 ”Cry of the Hunters” Percival can no longer remember his name, address, telephone Percival can no longer remember his name, address, telephone

numbernumber

““I should have thought that a pack of British boys . . . would have been I should have thought that a pack of British boys . . . would have been able to put up a better show than that – I mean –”able to put up a better show than that – I mean –”

Parallels Jack’s comment at the beginning of the bookParallels Jack’s comment at the beginning of the book

““Ralph wept for the end of innocence, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart . . . .”the darkness of man’s heart . . . .”

AllegoryAllegory

A story in which the characters and events represent A story in which the characters and events represent ideals or principles.ideals or principles.

Consider what each character represents in the Consider what each character represents in the novel:novel:

RalphRalphPiggyPiggyJackJackSimonSimonRogerRoger

RalphRalph The protagonistThe protagonist Representative of civilization, organization, Representative of civilization, organization,

democracydemocracy Fails in his attempt to control the societyFails in his attempt to control the society Last link to adults (along w/ Piggy)Last link to adults (along w/ Piggy) Loses memory (can’t remember the purpose Loses memory (can’t remember the purpose

of the fire)of the fire) Lost hope – weeps for the end of innocence Lost hope – weeps for the end of innocence

at the endat the end

PiggyPiggy Intellectual, rational influence (not necessarily practical, but Intellectual, rational influence (not necessarily practical, but

he tends to think before acting)he tends to think before acting) Analytical, critical of the others’ behavior and choicesAnalytical, critical of the others’ behavior and choices Link to adult thinking and expectationsLink to adult thinking and expectations Serves as the conscience of society – suggests actions Serves as the conscience of society – suggests actions

that should be takenthat should be taken His behavior, personality interfere with his being a leader in His behavior, personality interfere with his being a leader in

the society – he is an outcastthe society – he is an outcast His critical comments to the others interfere with their His critical comments to the others interfere with their

desire to act without conscience, thus the others do not desire to act without conscience, thus the others do not listen to his ideas or tolerate him in generallisten to his ideas or tolerate him in general

What is symbolic about the fact that Piggy dies and the What is symbolic about the fact that Piggy dies and the conch is destroyed at the same time?conch is destroyed at the same time?

JackJack AntagonistAntagonist Develops a dictatorial form of governmentDevelops a dictatorial form of government Is anarchy inevitable with Jack in charge?Is anarchy inevitable with Jack in charge? Begins as dignified and orderly, intimidating, authoritarianBegins as dignified and orderly, intimidating, authoritarian Believes in rules – his ownBelieves in rules – his own Becomes an idol to the other boysBecomes an idol to the other boys Offers food, protection as primary means of controlling the Offers food, protection as primary means of controlling the

boysboys Irony in the fact that those who appear to be the most Irony in the fact that those who appear to be the most

civilized, organized, law-abiding become the most savagecivilized, organized, law-abiding become the most savage

SimonSimon Symbolic of Truth and KnowledgeSymbolic of Truth and Knowledge Realist, seeks the truth, acts individually Realist, seeks the truth, acts individually Not influenced by the ideas or fears of the othersNot influenced by the ideas or fears of the others Refuses to be controlled by fearRefuses to be controlled by fear His attempt to help others and save the society results in His attempt to help others and save the society results in

his own deathhis own death His death symbolizes the destruction of truth and His death symbolizes the destruction of truth and

knowledgeknowledge If he had successfully revealed the truth about the If he had successfully revealed the truth about the

parachutist, how might the society have been changed?parachutist, how might the society have been changed? Is Simon a Christ figure / savior? Explain.Is Simon a Christ figure / savior? Explain.

RogerRoger

Depicted in chapter 4 as still being Depicted in chapter 4 as still being controlled by the rules of civilization and his controlled by the rules of civilization and his sense of guilt.sense of guilt.

In chapter 11 he has lost all morality when In chapter 11 he has lost all morality when he kills Piggy. He is no longer controlled by he kills Piggy. He is no longer controlled by society and is free to act as he pleases society and is free to act as he pleases without the fear of punishment.without the fear of punishment.

ThemesThemes

Primary Theme: The defects of society lie in Primary Theme: The defects of society lie in the defects of human naturethe defects of human nature

The shape of a society must depend upon the The shape of a society must depend upon the ethical nature of the individual rather than ethical nature of the individual rather than upon a political systemupon a political system

SurvivalSurvival The novel suggests that regardless of man’s The novel suggests that regardless of man’s

apparent state of civilization, man is apparent state of civilization, man is basically an aggressive animal whose basically an aggressive animal whose defect lies in his lack of morals or ethics defect lies in his lack of morals or ethics when personal survival is at stake.when personal survival is at stake.

The survival instinct is amoralThe survival instinct is amoral Conflict between long-term survival and Conflict between long-term survival and

immediate gratificationimmediate gratification Is man by nature primitive and anarchic?Is man by nature primitive and anarchic?

Other ThemesOther Themes The acquisition, assertion, and loss of powerThe acquisition, assertion, and loss of power The need for social order in a deteriorating societyThe need for social order in a deteriorating society The loss of innocenceThe loss of innocence The loss of identity and memoryThe loss of identity and memory The effects of fearThe effects of fear Fear of the unknownFear of the unknown Man’s inhumanity to manMan’s inhumanity to man Man’s potential for self-annihilationMan’s potential for self-annihilation Aggression as a means of conquering fearAggression as a means of conquering fear

SymbolsSymbolsHow does each change during the course of the novel?How does each change during the course of the novel?

The ScarThe Scar: The destructive force of man; man’s intrusion : The destructive force of man; man’s intrusion into a pristine worldinto a pristine world

The ConchThe Conch: Organization, link to adults, leadership, social : Organization, link to adults, leadership, social order (rules/laws), freedom of speech. What does its order (rules/laws), freedom of speech. What does its destruction symbolize?destruction symbolize?

The FireThe Fire: Comfort and security, hope of rescue, survival : Comfort and security, hope of rescue, survival (cooking), destructive nature of humans (weapon, (cooking), destructive nature of humans (weapon, carelessness), parallels the war being waged by the adults carelessness), parallels the war being waged by the adults in the world at large.in the world at large.

SymbolsSymbolsHow does each change during the course of the novel?How does each change during the course of the novel?

The MaskThe Mask: Hidden/changed identity, freedom to act without : Hidden/changed identity, freedom to act without consequence consequence

The Hunt / Killing of the pigs The Hunt / Killing of the pigs Chapters 1, 4, 8, 12Chapters 1, 4, 8, 12

The Chant and Ritual DanceThe Chant and Ritual Dance

The Beast / Lord of the FliesThe Beast / Lord of the FliesWhat is the Beast? What is the Beast?

How does it change during the course of the How does it change during the course of the novel?novel?

Allusion: Lord of the Flies = BeelzebubAllusion: Lord of the Flies = Beelzebub

the devil of decay, demoralization, destruction, hysteria, panicthe devil of decay, demoralization, destruction, hysteria, panic The evil inherent in the nature of mankindThe evil inherent in the nature of mankind Fear of the Unknown: “snake-thing,” “beastie,” large animals, sea Fear of the Unknown: “snake-thing,” “beastie,” large animals, sea

creatures, ghosts, parachutist, the boys themselvescreatures, ghosts, parachutist, the boys themselves Attempt to rationalize fears by creating an entity that can be fought – Attempt to rationalize fears by creating an entity that can be fought –

aggression as a means of conquering fearaggression as a means of conquering fear Fear as a means of control – What does Jack really believe about the Fear as a means of control – What does Jack really believe about the

beast?beast? The Beast as a religion – sacrifice, ritual danceThe Beast as a religion – sacrifice, ritual dance Simon’s knowledge – the Beast is within man and cannot be escapedSimon’s knowledge – the Beast is within man and cannot be escaped Only Simon understands the truthOnly Simon understands the truth

Questions about the NovelQuestions about the Novel Is the novel a realistic depiction of human Is the novel a realistic depiction of human

behavior?behavior? Is the novel optimistic or pessimistic?Is the novel optimistic or pessimistic? Why does the island society fail?Why does the island society fail? Evaluate the leadership qualities of Ralph Evaluate the leadership qualities of Ralph

and Jack.and Jack. Why does the logic of Piggy and Simon fail Why does the logic of Piggy and Simon fail

to influence the other boys?to influence the other boys?