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Explore the symbolism and themes in William Golding's Lord of the Flies, including the clash between civilization and savagery, the loss of innocence, and the nature of evil. Learn how the characters and their actions represent different aspects of human nature and society. Watch the video for an in-depth analysis.
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LORD OF THE FLIES William Golding
Civilization vs. savagery (external and/or internal) Loss of innocence Man vs. nature Nature of evil Individual vs. community A. Themes in LOTF
What Golding said. • "The theme is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature. The moral is that the shape of a society must depend on the ethical nature of the individual and not on any political system however apparently logical or respectable. The whole book is symbolic in nature except the rescue in the end where adult life appears, dignified and capable, but in reality enmeshed in the same evil as the symbolic life of the children on the island. The officer, having interrupted a man-hunt, prepares to take the children off the island in a cruiser which will presently be hunting its enemy in the same implacable way. And who will rescue the adult and his cruiser?"
Simplified description of the theme: • The defects or flaws within man cause the defects or flaws within society. OR • Man in a civilized society is no better than children running wild outside adult supervision.
B. Symbolism and the duality of human nature Ex. The conch at the beginning of the novel vs. at the end. How was it different and what do those differences represents?
C. Ralph’s complex personality • It could be argued that Ralph was a combination of personality traits from all the main players • Jack • Simon • Piggy • Roger(?) • How does this combination allow him to partially avoid the pitfalls of the savages and survive?
D. Jack’s ability to use fear • Jack uses both his own skills, confidence, threats and intimidation to control the group through fear • He also uses the groups fear of the Beast to control.