Lord of the Flies

1. Lord of the Flies By William Golding Presentation by Nicole Whitmarsh

2. Theme When left to their own devices, people naturally revert to cruelty, savagery, and barbarism.

3. Overview Symbols • The Beastie • Pig Head (Lord of the Flies) • Conch Conflict • Ralph vs. Jack • Ralph vs. Ralph • Man vs. Society Characters • Jack • Piggy • Roger

4. Symbolism The novel, “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding is filled with symbols that represent certain elements of the theme, including: • The Beast • Head of the Pig (Lord of the Flies) • The Conch They can be used and analysed to develop the idea that when left alone people will become savage and barbaric to the reader.

5. The Beast • In “Lord of the Flies” the beast is a symbol of the evil and the beast like qualities inside the boys. • The beast is not a real thing. It starts as a fear of the boys, especially the young ones, that there is some kind of creature on the island. However the beast, or at least the boys’ idea of a separate beast besides themselves, is non-existent. • The idea of a beast is Golding’s way to symbolize the beast like qualities of the boys, such as devilish and savage qualities. As the boys become more destructive, their belief in the beast also grows stronger.

6. The Beast (Talking about existence of beast)“What I mean is… maybe its only us.”-Simon, p. 96 • In this quotation, Simon first expresses the idea that the Beast is within themselves.While discussing the idea that there is a creature on the island, the boys have a heated discussion about if the beast exists or not, when Simon gives the idea that maybe the beast, or the beast like qualities such as savagery and the strive to hunt and kill, is in the boys. This is quickly dismissed and the boys ignore this wise comment. Later on, the boys become more barbaric, starting to kill for pleasure and the power it gives, and start acting like animals. This leads to Simon’s murder by the beastly tendencies of the boys.

7. Pig’s Head • A symbol for “Lord of the Flies”, or Beelzebub (Demon of Gluttony). • Beelzebub is one of the seven princes of Hell, according to Christian views, or one of the many names for the Devil, and occasionally depicted as a pig, for he encouraged eating and drinking. • The pig is killed by the boys lead by Jack, as they wanted food as well as hunted for pleasure, and then mounted the head of their kill on a stick in the ground. • This head on a stick became the representation of the devil on the island, as it was killed out of savagery. • Also represents fear in Simon of the pig as well as of the beastly tendencies of the group • A symbol of superstition on the island (talks to Simon)

8. Pig’s Head “The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering.” -p. 104 This quotation depicts the savage and murderous tendencies inside of the boys. The desire to feel the adrenaline and power they got from killing something became over powering, and it was difficult for them to refrain from killing or doing other things more key to survival. There was no one to stop them from killing, and so their addiction to hunting became so strong that they could not stop themselves. This eventually led to Simon’s death when the boys think he is the beast, and stab him to death, as they would have a pig. Their will was so strong and they became so barbaric that they went from hunting animals to murdering another human.

9. The Conch • First used on the island for meetings, whoever was holding the conch was the only one allowed to speak. • While originally a rule accepted by most, it slowly became less and less important to boys, and no longer was practised. • A symbol of civilized authority, order, and democracy • Symbolizes the boys’ attempt at maintaining a civilized society like they had back home • When the conch is shattered, all form of civilization and order left on the island was shattered as well • The boys forgot about everything the were taught back home as they were encompassed by freedom and the need to get power however and whenever they could, often times by killing.

10. The Conch "I bet if I blew the conch this minute, they'd come running. Then we'd be, you know, very solemn, and someone would say we ought to build a jet, or a submarine, or a TV set. When the meeting was over they'd work for five minutes, then wander off or go hunting.“ – p. 56 This is a quotation by Ralph. It helps develop the idea that the conch is the way that the boys intended to maintain order and democracy on the island. It is clear that Ralph knew how essential a well functioning society would be to the survival of the boys. Although this was a great idea in theory, it was clear from the beginning that things were not going to work as smoothly as hoped. When the conch smashed towards the end of the novel, the small amount of order that was left on the island disappeared as well, and the boys returned to their primitive instincts and turned into complete savage beast in war with each other, and incapable of civilization.

11. Conflict One of the main storylines of Golding’s novel is the conflict between the boys, as well as the other elements of the time on the island, including: • Ralph vs. Jack • Ralph vs. Ralph • Man vs. Society These conflicts can be explored and used to enforce the theme that when left to their own devices , people become cruel, savage, and barbaric.

12. Ralph Vs. Jack • A representation of Man vs. Man conflict • The conflict between Ralph and Jack is one that lasts the entire story, and grew stronger the more the boys became barbaric. • The two boys started with a strong bond, which later dissolved into a complete hatred and manhunt of one another as arch enemies. • Ralph wants leadership and civilization, while Jack represents savagery and wants anarchy on the island, both boys wanting to have overall power. • In the beginning, Ralph is voted to have power and lead the boys, while towards the end, Jack takes control and uses the boys as a hunters until all the boys are part of his anarchist society besides Ralph.

13. Ralph vs. Jack "Which is better--to have laws and agree, or to hunt and kill?“- p. 164 This quotation represents well the conflict between Ralph and Jack. Ralph is the boy who wants to “have laws and agree”, while Jack thinks its better to “hunt and kill”. Throughout the novel, the boys have to decide who they would like to be the leader on the island. They are often conflicted to whether or not they should follow the civilized rules as they did back home, or hunt and kill as Jack feels is the only way to survive on the island. Ultimately, towards the end of the novel the boys take the more murderous route and become savage and dangerous, following in Jack’s lead.

14. Ralph vs. Ralph • A representation of Man vs. Self conflict. • Begins as the boy who values democracy and civilization the most. • Later on becomes savage, beginning with his aid in the murder of Simon, showing that there is evil in everyone. • Ralph is often conflicted between whether he should be civilized which is what he knows is right, or do what he needs to survive on the island which is battle for his life against Jack and the other boys. • In the end of the novel, he becomes just as dangerous and barbaric as the other boys on the island. • Could also represent man vs. society

15. Ralph vs. ralph • "Ralph launched himself like a cat; stabbed, snarling, with the spear, and the savage doubled up.“- p. 177 This quotation helps explore the idea that there is evil inside of everyone, and it comes out whenever the person is left with complete freedom. Throughout the story, Ralph is the character who wants democracy and order on the island. However, in the end the other more savage part of himself took control and he became just as barbaric as everyone else. This quotation demonstrates Ralph’s personal struggle between what he knows is right and what he knows he must do, and does do, in order to survive.

16. Man vs. society • This is the conflict between the boys and the ways of their old life back home. • The boys first know that they should continue to act as they did back home, with rules and manners. • This sense of civilization and want to be proper dissipates quickly as the boys realize that there is no one there to enforce these rules upon them. • The boys realize that they are free, and no longer need to confine to the restraints of society. • They are conflicted in that the boys know how they should act to society’s standards, yet they choose not to.

17. Man vs. Society • “The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.”- pg. 164 This quotation represents the fall of civilization by the hands of the boys on the island. Throughout the novel there is a clear struggle between the boys knowing and trying to maintain a well functioning society, however it is quickly shown that it is not possible. The boys are conflicted as to whether or not they should try to maintain a democracy or follow their natural instincts of savagery and brutality. The conch represents order and fairness on the island, and once it is destroyed by a bolder and the boys shatter it to pieces, all that is left of civilization is destroyed as well.

18. Characters The characters developed in “Lord of the Flies” reflect well upon the different members of society, and more importantly, each character represents extreme portrayals of traits we find in ourselves. Characters explored are: • Jack • Piggy • Roger These characters help develop the theme that when left alone the negative traits arise in people, including cruelty and barbarism.

19. Jack • Represents uncontrolled savagery, anarchy, and the intense desire for power. • While Jack wants power and wants to sustain a well functioning society, to abuses his leadership, and makes bad decisions. • He is aware and wants to take advantage of the fact that there are no adults on the island, and continues to paint his face, hunt, and be violent without being punished. • The best representation of barbaric tendencies in all human beings, brought out by complete freedom in an uncontrolled society.

20. Jack “[Jack] tried to convey the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up.” –p. 47 This quotation shows Jack’s need to be violent, and the uncontrollable need to do evil in everyone. It is clear that Jack is struggling with the emotions and need to act savagely inside of him. It is later depicted in the novel that he could not control himself, and became obsessed with hunting things, even though it was clearly not a priority. Jack could not control his desire to kill and craved the adrenaline, satisfaction, and power that came with taking life from another being. This is later also demonstrated by Simon’s vicious death. Jack didn’t know how to function in a society without rules, and it unfortunately brought out the worst in him.

21. Roger • Represents evilness, sadism, torture, and brutality at their most extreme. • Originally shows signs of sadism when he is throwing stones at the little children, however intentionally missing, being held back by the rules of society back home. • Once Roger realizes there is no one there to stop him and he has complete freedom, he becomes extremely dangerous. • Then admires Jack and joins his group, eventually dropping a boulder onto Piggy, killing him, connecting to his previous stone throwing event. • In the end is shown to have the most authority on the island and inflicts the most torturous pain towards others. • Roger is the most savage and evil boy on the island.

22. Roger • “Roger edged past the chief, only just avoiding pushing him with his shoulder. The yelling ceased, and Samneric lay looking up in quiet terror. Roger advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority.”-p.202 This quotation shows the amount of power that Roger has over the boys, and his evil instincts. By the us of the term “nameless authority”, it is inferred that Sam and Eric are intimidated by Roger, and likely scared of him. The power that Roger hold is different from the power that comes with responsibility, as Ralph had. The boys know that Roger is not afraid of killing someone, as he did with Piggy, and for that reason holds the power like a dictatorship over the boys. There is no one to stop Roger, and he will therefor act as savagely as he pleases.

23. Piggy • A representation of all insight, wisdom, and intelligence, and tends to bring these qualities out of the boys. • Symbolizes the ability to see clearly (glasses) and see what is truly important. • Glasses as well as Piggy • A symbol of the power of science, it was Piggy who made intelligent decisions, and his glasses that by magnifying the sun’s rays were the only fire starter on the island • Insight and wisdom slowly left the island, symbolized by the breaking of the glasses, the stealing of them, and then finally Piggy’s death, as evil and savagery began to take over the island.

24. Piggy "What was the sensible thing to do? There was no Piggy to talk sense. There was no solemn assembly for debate nor dignity of the conch.“ – p. 201 This quotation helps develop the idea that in order to maintain sensible thinking on the island, Piggy was needed. Without Piggy, there was no one to make important and intelligent decisions or to over see things, or give a thoughtful opinion. When Piggy died, the ability to see clearly and make knowledgeable decisions died as well, and the boys slowly were overtaken by the intense need to act primitive. They no longer saw the necessities they needed to survive, and focused on the hunt and kill instead.