Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies

William GoldingWilliam Golding

1911- 19931911- 1993

About William GoldingAbout William Golding

British novelistBritish novelist Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in

literatureliterature Fought in Royal Navy during WWIIFought in Royal Navy during WWII Participated in invasion of Normandy on Participated in invasion of Normandy on

D-DayD-Day At war’s end, returned to teaching and At war’s end, returned to teaching and

writingwriting

Golding’s FictionGolding’s Fiction

AllegoricalAllegorical Allusions toAllusions to

• Classical literatureClassical literature• MythologyMythology• Christian SymbolismChristian Symbolism

Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies

““It was simply what seemed sensible for me to write It was simply what seemed sensible for me to write after the war when everyone was thanking God they after the war when everyone was thanking God they weren’t Nazi’s. I’d seen enough to realize that every weren’t Nazi’s. I’d seen enough to realize that every single one of us could be Nazi’s.”single one of us could be Nazi’s.”• William Golding on his novel Lord of the Flies William Golding on his novel Lord of the Flies

About the NovelAbout the Novel

Set in mid 1940’s when Europe engulfed Set in mid 1940’s when Europe engulfed in war.in war.

A plane carrying British school boys is A plane carrying British school boys is mistaken for a military craft and shot mistaken for a military craft and shot down.down.

Only the boys survive the crash, and try to Only the boys survive the crash, and try to form a society and govern themselves.form a society and govern themselves.

Themes in the NovelThemes in the Novel

Civilization vs. SavageryCivilization vs. Savagery Loss of InnocenceLoss of Innocence Original SinOriginal Sin Fear that separates one from GodFear that separates one from God Nature of Good and Evil Nature of Good and Evil Goodness is rare and fleetingGoodness is rare and fleeting

Motifs in the NovelMotifs in the Novel

Biblical parallels (book criticized for re-Biblical parallels (book criticized for re-telling episodes in the Bible)telling episodes in the Bible)

Pristine places corrupted by evilPristine places corrupted by evil Beel’zebub- Hebrew translation for Lord of Beel’zebub- Hebrew translation for Lord of

the fliesthe flies

Symbols in the NovelSymbols in the Novel

The Conch- Civilization and orderThe Conch- Civilization and orderThe Beast- The fear that separates man The Beast- The fear that separates man from Godfrom God

Piggy’s Glasses- Reason, science and Piggy’s Glasses- Reason, science and insightinsight

Lord of the Flies- Evil Lord of the Flies- Evil Fire Signal- Hope, salvationFire Signal- Hope, salvation

Philosophical InfluencePhilosophical Influence

John HobbesJohn Hobbes• English Philosopher: 1588- 1679English Philosopher: 1588- 1679• Man is by nature selfishly individualisticMan is by nature selfishly individualistic• Man constantly at war with other menMan constantly at war with other men• Fear of violent death is sole motivation to Fear of violent death is sole motivation to

create civilizationscreate civilizations• Men need to be controlled by absolute Men need to be controlled by absolute

sovereignty to avoid brutish behavior sovereignty to avoid brutish behavior

The World Golding Knew The World Golding Knew

WWII 1939- 1945WWII 1939- 1945 The fall of France to Nazi Germany in1940The fall of France to Nazi Germany in1940 Britain feared an invasion and evacuated Britain feared an invasion and evacuated

children to other countrieschildren to other countries 1940- A German U-Boat torpedoed British 1940- A German U-Boat torpedoed British

ship carrying children killing the boys, thus ship carrying children killing the boys, thus suspending the oversees evacuation programsuspending the oversees evacuation program

Major WWII Events Major WWII Events 1939- Britain joined France in war against Nazi Germany1939- Britain joined France in war against Nazi Germany 1940- Fall of France 1940- Fall of France 1940- Fascist Italy joins the Axis with Germany 1940- Fascist Italy joins the Axis with Germany 1941- Japan attacks Pearl Harbor causing USA to declare war on Japan 1941- Japan attacks Pearl Harbor causing USA to declare war on Japan

and enter the world warand enter the world war 1944- D-Day Normandy Landings1944- D-Day Normandy Landings 1945- Bombing of Dresden1945- Bombing of Dresden 1945- European victory celebrated 1945- European victory celebrated 1945- Atomic Bomb dropped in Hiroshima immediately killing 60-80,000 1945- Atomic Bomb dropped in Hiroshima immediately killing 60-80,000

people (final death toll 135,000 people)people (final death toll 135,000 people)

Death and destruction abound!!!Death and destruction abound!!!

Modern Day AllusionsModern Day Allusions

Allusion- (n.) an indirect reference to Allusion- (n.) an indirect reference to somethingsomething

There are many, many modern day allusions There are many, many modern day allusions to to Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies in popular culture. in popular culture.

For example….For example….

The SimpsonsThe Simpsons

The Simpson’s The Simpson’s episode titled episode titled Das Das Bus Bus is a parody of is a parody of Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies..

SurvivorSurvivor

MarK Burnett’s MarK Burnett’s CBS island show is CBS island show is said to have been said to have been inspired by LOTF.inspired by LOTF.

Sponge Bob SquarepantsSponge Bob Squarepants

The episode The episode Club SpongebobClub Spongebob is a spoof of is a spoof of LOTF.LOTF.

Popular MusicPopular Music

Bands such as Taking Bands such as Taking Back Sunday, Nine Back Sunday, Nine Inch Nails, AFI, Iron Inch Nails, AFI, Iron Maiden, and Pink Maiden, and Pink Floyd have written Floyd have written songs about or have songs about or have alluded to LOTF in alluded to LOTF in their music.their music.