The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

THE LORD OF THE FLIES

 

 

BY WILLIAM GOLDING

 

 

CONTENT ANALYSIS FOR EASY UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEXT

 

 

Plot

The novel narrates the story of a group of British school boys whose plane crash-landed on a tropical Island as they were being evacuated from their country which was at war with another.

 

On going to this Island, the boys found themselves bereft of adult guidance, protection and influence, hence they organize themselves like adults and therefore make spirited attempt at observing prescribed rule and regulations created by them pending the time they might be rescued by adults. But as soon as they settled down on the uninhabited Island, they started with disagreement and quarreling among themselves on issues they ought not to fight on. This bad turn of events continued until their conduct and behavior towards one another degenerated into violence and anarchy.

 

Jack, who happened to be the head of the hunters in the novel, could be said to be largely responsible for the reign of terror unleashed on the Island.

 

Due to this bad beginning, majority of the boys later became primitive savages and bent on shedding not only pig’s blood but that of innocent human blood. This novel by Golding is a good example of the generation of the human mind and soul through evil impulses.

 

In this adventure story of boys lost on an uninhabited Island, the writer explores and examines some of the most significant philosophical issues of modern thought; he cleverly supported the general view that human beings and their evil nature are responsible for the negative turn of events in human society.

 

The youths in the novel did not embark upon any civilizing mission but actually set out to destroy one another. The choir-boys lad by Jack degenerated into hunters who became savages and bloodthirsty demons. The event and actions in the novel vividly demonstrate that the political and religious institution of man has failed and that man is virtually alone without the hope of salvation coming from any source.

 

 

The youths of today are not helping matters; the situation we are facing today is reacted here. In cases I have seen situations where youths take money from politicians at the expense of developing their communities. This is to say that human beings are wicked to themselves and are making the earth inhabitable.

 

More so, if you take an in-depth look on African government you will find out that they are not free from the style of leadership led by these fellows in this Island. The human mind is very important when it comes to behavior and cares for a fellow human being like you. In this analysis William Golding replicates most Africa governance and their style of leadership.

 

If you really study Africa and their style of governance you will find what majority do is to think of themselves and not another; or they neglect those who they are supposed to serve. Government of egotism that is what it is. They are so common in Africa countries. When politicians are campaigning they pretend to love the people with passion and when they get into office they forget about the people by embezzling public funds and denying them of social infrastructures like pipe borne water, good roads, and electricity and so on and so forth.

 

If you wish to learn more you would refer to one of the articles in this blog: titled TOO SAD by Eguriase S. M. Okaka where he analyzed Africa government’s behaviors. Read and get knowledge for yourself.  

 

CHARACTERIZATION

 

Ralph: He is the oldest boy on the Island and a born leader. He is attractive, handsome, kind, responsible and very popular. When things do not work as expected, he always loses hope and becomes discouraged. He is humane and sensitive and believes strongly in democratic principles. He is the symbol of democracy and order in the novel. He shares in the evil propensity of `the boys by joining them to kill Simon. He is also full of common sense and consistent in his views and actions. Although he was overthrown by ambitious Jack, he remains responsible and forthright and at the end of the novel he has attained moral awareness.

 

Jack: He lacks physical attractiveness and is indeed ugly. Jack lacks leadership quality. He is inordinately ambitious and wants to be elected leader from the very day the boys landed on the Island. He is violent by nature and makes a reckless display of it to the public. He also lacks the ability to organize constructively. He is violent, envious, arrogant, bloodthirsty and cruel. He is brave and resourceful.

 

Piggy: He is fat and short sighted and can hardly see without his eye glasses. He is the most brilliant of all the boys. Piggy is also asthmatic. His poor health severely limits his mobility and restricts his participation in exercises and labor with other boys. He represents the voice of reason on the Island. His murder by Roger and Jack clearly illustrates the darkness of man’s heart.

 

Simon: He is a specially gifted boy who finds himself in a wrong camp. He is very perceptive and has the qualities of a visionary. He sacrifices his life while trying to save them. His weak and delicate physique, which makes him prone to fainting fit, prevents him from wielding a weightier influence over the boys, yet, he is courageous and brave. 

 

Roger: He is the second-in-command. They both mastermind and unleash a reign of terror on the Island. He is quiet and calm but is vindictive and perniciously evil. Roger enjoys torturing people and inflicting pain on them. He symbolizes evil in the novel.

 

Maurice: He illustrates the picture of a pleasure-loving boy and likes bullying people who are weaker than him.   Maurice is impressionable and is quickly influenced negatively by Jack and Roger. He is easily persuaded to do evil.

 

THEMES

 

(i)                The theme of evil

(ii)              The theme of politics

(iii)            The theme nature and man’s relation to it

(iv)            The theme of violence and anarchy