Lord of the Flies by: William Golding
William Golding was born on September 19, 1911 in St Columb Minor, United Kingdom. His father was a school teacher, while his mother was active in the Women's Suffrage Movement. Golding began writing at a young age, and attempted to write a novel at the age of twelve. He remained an enthusiastic writer and while completing his advanced education at Brasenose College of Oxford University, abandoned his plans to study science, against his father's wishes, and preferred to study literature. At the age of twenty-two, before earing his degree in English, Golding saw his first literary work published—a poetry collection cleverly titled Poems. In 1940, during World War II, Golding served 5 years in the British Royal Navy, commanding a rocket launching craft.
The Lord of the Flies was rejected by twenty-one publishers before Faber & Faber published it in 1954.
Character List
Ralph is the novel's protagonist. He is a tall, blond, twelve year old that is appointed as the leader of the group of boys who have been marooned onto an island. He attempts to build a civilization among the young boys until they are rescued from the island.
Jack is the novel's antagonist. He is among the older boys stranded on the island, and is the leader of the hunters. He strives to become a leader. He becomes power hungry and begins to become barbaric, wild, and cruel as the novel progresses.
Simon is a shy, sensitive character. Simon helps the younger boys on the island, and is willing to work for the greater good of the society.
Piggy is considered Ralph's “lieutenant.” He is a scientific and skeptical asthmatic fat boy with glasses. Piggy's inventions lead to innovation of the civilization. He builds a makeshift sundial that the boys use to tell time. Piggy represents the scientific and rational side of civilization.
Roger is considered Jack's “lieutenant.” He is sadistic and cruel. He also brutalizes the younger boys and eventually murders another boy by rolling a boulder onto him.
Setting
The setting of Lord of the Flies takes place on an un-named island. The novel doesn't state where the island is exactly but is described in detail. The island has a jungle at one end, with a rocky mountain beyond it. On the opposite end, is the lagoon where the boys bathe. Near the lagoon and atop the mountain is a platform where the boys decided that a fire would stay lit in hope of rescue.
Plot
During an atomic war, a plane full of boarding school boys on their way home was shot down. The plane lands on an empty island. Piggy finds a conch shell and gives it to Ralph, which he uses to call for the other boys on the island. He sets the rules that they must abide by while they are on the island. Jack became focused on hunting aspects for survival, whereas Ralph is more focused on maintaining a shelter for the protection from nature. The two leaders, Ralph and Jack, argue over their view of the more important aspects of survival.
Theme
Quotes
"There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws." -chapter 9
"Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy." -chapter 12
Works Cited
Lord of the Flies book cover. Bookrags.com. 28 Dec. 2008
"Lord of the Flies book notes summary." Bookrags.com. 28 Dec. 2008.
The Lord of the Flies Game. Nobelprize.org. 2006. 28 Dec. 2008
Stein, Ted, Erica Sztabnik, Ben Carthew, Nelson Brolly, Jeremy Ortman, and Brandon Sulikowski. "Lord of the Flies." 12 Nov. 1998. 28 Dec. 2008
William Golding. Library of Congress. Notablebiographies.com. 2009. 29 Dec. 08
