lord of the flies theme essay

Themes and Analysis

Lord of the flies, by william golding.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a powerful novel. It's filled with interesting themes, thoughtful symbols, and a particular style of writing that has made it a classic of British literature.

About the Book

Article written by Lee-James Bovey

P.G.C.E degree.

Several key themes are prevalent throughout the book. It is sometimes referred to as a “book of ideas” and these ideas are explored as the plot unfolds.

Lord of the Flies Themes

The impact of humankind on nature.

This is evident from the first chapter when the plane crashing leaves what Golding describes as a “scar” across the island. This idea is explored further in the early chapters the boys light a fire that escapes their control and yet further diminishes what might be considered an unspoiled island. Some interpret the island almost as a Garden of Eden with the children giving in to temptation by slaughtering the animals there. The final chapter furthers the destruction of nature by mankind as the whole island appears to have been ruined thanks to the effects of the boy’s presence on the island.

Civilization versus savagery

This can be seen throughout as the boys struggle with being removed from organized society. To begin with, they cope well. They construct a form of government represented by the conch that theoretically draws them together and gives them all a voice. As they break away from society this adherence to the rules they have constructed is evident. Golding’s ideas of what savagery is might be outdated and rooted in colonial stereotypes but they are evident for all to see as the boys use masks to dehumanize themselves and their increasing obsession with hunting leads to an increasingly animalistic nature.

Nature of humanity

Perhaps the biggest underlying theme is the idea of the true nature of mankind. Golding explores the idea that mankind is innately evil and that it is only the contrast between society and civilization that prevents that nature from being prevalent. Of course, this overlooks that civilization is a human construct and if all men’s biggest motivation were their inner evil, then that construct would never have existed. Golding’s views largely spring from his role in the navy where he was witness to the atrocities of war but are also informed by his work as a teacher.

Analysis of Key Moments in Lord of the Flies

There are many key moments in ‘ Lord of the Flies ‘ that highlight the boy’s descent into savagery.

• Blowing the conch – this introduces us to the conch which acts as a symbol of society and civilization throughout the novel. It is both the device that brings the children together and in theory the object which allows them all to have a say and therefore run a democratic society.
• The fire gets out of control – This shows the effects that the boys are already having on the island. It also demonstrates how lost the boys are without adults there to guide them as they lose one of the boys and nobody even knows his name.
• Jack fails to kill the pig/Roger throws stones – both of these events show how the boys are currently constrained by the expectations of society. We see as time passes these restraints are lifted and that firstly, Jack can kill a pig and finally, and perhaps more dramatically, Roger is not only okay with hitting somebody with a stone but taking their life with one.
• The hunters put on masks – By covering up their faces, they seem to become free from the constraints of society. It is if it liberates them from humanity and allows them to act on more primal, animalistic urges.
• Sam and Eric find “the beast” – When Sam and Eric feel they have discovered the beast it sets a ripple of panic throughout. This fear sways the boys towards Jack’s leadership as he continues to manipulate the situation to his advantage. If not for this then Simon might never be murdered.
• Creating of the Lord of the Flies – Successfully killing the pig is itself an iconic moment but then leaving a pigs head on a pole is both a gruesome image (one worthy of the book’s title) and also plays a pivotal role in Simon’s story arc.
• Simon’s death – Simon is the one character who never seems to succumb to primal urges and therefore his death if looked at symbolically could be seen as the death of hope for boys.
• Piggy’s death – Piggy’s character represents order and reason. With his death, any chance of resolving the issues between Jack and Ralph vanishes. The conch being smashed at the same time is also symbolic and represents the complete destruction of society.
• The rescue – This is not the happy ending that one might expect with all the boys crying due to their loss of innocence. There is an irony as well as the boys will not be rescued and taken to a Utopia but rather to a civilization plagued by a war that mirrors the war zone they have just left.

Style, Literary Devices, and Tone in Lord of the Flies

Throughout this novel, Golding’s style is straightforward and easy to read. There are no lengthy passages nor does he choose particularly poetic words to describe the events. His writing is powerful without these stylistic devices. The same can be said for his use of literary devices. When used, they are direct. For example, the use of symbolism (see below) and metaphor is very thoughtful but not hard to interpret.

William Golding also employs an aloof or distant tone throughout the book. This reflects the way that the boys treat one another.

Symbols in Lord of the Flies

The conch shell.

The conch shell is one of the major symbols of this novel. It’s used from the beginning of the novel to call the boys together for meetings on the beach. It’s a symbol of civilization and government. But, as the boys lose touch with their civilized sides, the conch shell is discarded.

The Signal Fire

The signal fire is a very important symbol in the novel. It’s first lit on the mountain and then later on the beach with the intent of attracting the attention of passion ships. The fire is maintained diligently at first but as the book progresses and the boys slip farther from civilization, their concentration on the fire wanes. They eventually lose their desire to be rescued. Therefore, as one is making their way through the book, gauging the boys’ concentration on the fire is a great way to understand how “civilized” they are.

The beast is an imaginary creature who frightens the boys. It stands in for their savage instincts and is eventually revealed to be a personification of their dark impulses. It’s only through the boy’s behaviour that the beast exists at all.

What are three themes in Lord of the Flies ?

Three themes in ‘ Lord of the Flies ‘ are civilization vs. savagery, the impact of humankind on nature, and the nature of humanity.

What is the main message of the Lord of the Flies ?

The main message is that if left without rules, society devolves and loses its grasp on what is the morally right thing to do. this is even the case with kids.

How does Ralph lose his innocence in Lord of the Flies ?

He loses his innocence when he witnesses the deaths of Simon and Piggy. These losses in addition to the broader darkness of the island change him.

About Lee-James Bovey

Lee-James, a.k.a. LJ, has been a Book Analysis team member since it was first created. During the day, he's an English Teacher. During the night, he provides in-depth analysis and summary of books.

Cite This Page

Bovey, Lee-James " Lord of the Flies Themes and Analysis 🏝️ " Book Analysis , https://bookanalysis.com/william-golding/lord-of-the-flies/themes-analysis/ . Accessed 16 April 2024.

It'll change your perspective on books forever.

Discover 5 Secrets to the Greatest Literature

There was a problem reporting this post.

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

• See blocked member's posts
• Mention this member in posts
• Invite this member to groups

Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

• Lord of the Flies

William Golding

• Literature Notes
• Major Themes
• Lord of the Flies at a Glance
• Book Summary
• About Lord of the Flies
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Character Analysis
• Character Map
• William Golding Biography
• Critical Essays
• Concept, Identity, and Manifestations of the Beast
• Golding's Use of the Fable Structure
• Famous Quotes
• Film Versions
• Full Glossary
• Essay Questions
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Critical Essays Major Themes

Consider the emotional basis of the boys' choice of leaders: Initially they vote for Ralph not because he has demonstrated leadership skills but because of his charisma and arbitrary possession of the conch. Later they desert him — and the reasoned democracy he promotes — to join Jack's tribe because Jack's way of life, with the war paint and ritualized dance, seems like more fun. Choosing Jack's "fun" tribe indicates a dangerous level of emotionally based self-indulgence. By relying on emotion to decide the island's political format, the boys open themselves up to the possibility of violence because violence lies in the domain of emotion.

Yet Jack's mentality on a larger scale is not fun and games but warfare, a concept made clear at the end: When Ralph encounters the officer on the beach, he notices first not the officer's face but his uniform and revolver, which are the markings of the officer's tribe. The decorative elements of his uniform symbolize his war paint. His ship will be enacting the same sort of manhunt for his enemy that Jack's tribe conducts for Ralph.

Effect of Fear

Golding addresses the effects of fear on the individual and on a group. For individuals, fear distorts reality such as when Samneric 's terror at spotting the dead paratrooper magnifies their experience from merely seeing movement and hearing the parachute to being actively chased down the mountain as they flee. When the other boys hear Samneric's tale, the group dynamic of fear comes into play. The boys do not band together to overcome this fearful situation through unity but allow their own worst impulses to surface and dominate, fragmenting into opposing groups and killing one of their own in a frenzy of fear and savagery.

Speech and Silence

Golding gives a more subtle treatment to the theme concerning speech's role in civilization. He repeatedly represents verbal communication as the sole property of civilization while savagery is non-verbal, or silent. Despite the animal noises in the jungle, as an entity, the jungle emanates a silence even the hunter Jack finds intimidating. In fact all the boys find silence threatening; they become agitated when a speaker holding the conch in assembly falls silent.

The conch plays a key role in this theme because it symbolizes not only to the power to speak during assembly but also the power of speech, an ability that separates humans from animals. Following the death of Piggy and destruction of the conch, "the silence was complete" as if Piggy provided the last bastion of human intellect — or humanity itself — on the island.

Verbal communication is crucial to the development of abstract thought. "If only one had time to think!" Ralph laments. Civilization provides institutions where the individuals can devote themselves to mental activities. Simon created such a place in his hidden spot in the jungle. He found silence necessary to contemplate his vision of the beast. He was the only boy to understand the true identity of the much-feared beast and the only boy to whom the Lord of the Flies speaks. To bring about that conversation, the sow's head had to break the ultimate silence of death. Golding may depict silence as tremendously threatening because death does signify absolute silence, and the end of all hope.

While the conch's symbolic power remained alive to the boys, there was hope that they could continue with their small society peacefully and productively. With the loss of regulated discourse came the end of Ralph's humane influence on the boys.

Previous Major Themes

Next Concept, Identity, and Manifestations of the Beast

Home of The Brave

Lord of the flies – sample essay..

Choose a novel in which an important theme is explored. Explain how the author develops this theme throughout the novel.

            The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a novel in which the theme of savagery versus civilisation is explored. Some British boys are stranded on an isolated island at the time of an imaginary nuclear war. On the island we see conflict between two main characters, Jack and Ralph, who respectively represent civilisation and savagery. This has an effect on the rest of the boys throughout the novel as they delve further and further into savagery.

             The theme of savagery versus civilisation is first introduced to us through the symbol of the conch shell which we associate with Ralph as he is the person who first uses it and becomes the elected leader of the boys. This symbolises authority amongst the boys. At the first assembly Ralph says “I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak…he won’t be interrupted”. This suggests civilisation as Ralph is allowing each boy to have an equal say and opinion. If they have the conch, no matter who they are or what age they are they will be given the chance to speak and will be listened to by the rest of the boys. The boys have created the island to be a democratic place which shows a civilised side to them as they try to mimic the homes they have just left.

             Contrasting with the symbol of the conch is the symbol of the beast which comes to be associated with Jack as by the end of the novel he is almost devil worshipping it. The beast begins as a  “snake thing” but by the end of the novel it has become “the Lord of the Flies”. The first quote shows us that the beast is clearly evil. Western society considers snakes to be bad omens because it was a snake that led Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge. However at this stage of the novel the beast is quite insubstantial as it is only a “thing”. As the boys fear of the beast grows so to does the beast itself until it has manifested into the devil – the ultimate and most powerful evil. He has a strong status as a Lord although it is over something pretty disgusting – the flies. The boys belief in the beast leads them to behave more like savages as they act out from their fear and they begin to loose hold of the rules, led by Jack, thus demonstrating the theme of savagery.

             One of ways Golding shows conflict between savagery and civilisation is when Jack and some of the other boys are killing the first pig. Jack chants “kill the pig, cut her throat, spill the blood”. This suggests savagery as the boys are being violent and aggressive when killing the pig and they don’t care about it. This is particularly clear through Golding’s word choice. Jack talks about cutting the pig’s throat which makes it sound like a savage action and spilling her blood which reinforces the lack of care and feeling shown towards the pug’s carcass. This shows that the boys are no longer feeling guilty about what they have done thus showing them becoming savages. 

             We can see the conflict between savagery and civilisation developing further when Piggy’s glasses are broken. We are told “Piggy cried out in terror ‘my specs!” This shows us that the boys savage natures are beginning to overule their more civilised sides. At the start of the book Jack would never have dared touch Piggy, but here he actually snaps and goes for Piggy who he despises. We can tell that Piggy is really scared as Golding chooses the words “cried” and “terror” to describe the scene. Piggy sounds like he is hurting and is genuinely terrified about what Jack might do to him and the loss of his sight. Piggy’s glasses have also come to represent intelligence on the island, with them breaking we see that the pathway to savagery is now completely open for the boys. This is the first true piece of violence between the two factions on the island and it will result in nearly all the boys becoming savages.

             A final way in which we see the theme of savagery versus civilisation being demonstrated is when Ralph sticks up for Piggy after he is attacked by Jack. Ralph says “that was a dirty trick”. This shows that Ralph is really angry at Jack for what he said and did to Piggy. He is still attempting to impose himself as leader here as he says this in an aggressive and assertive tone. This suggests there is still some glimmers of civilisation on the island at this point as there is still someone with a sense of moral goodness ready to fight for justice.

             In conclusion The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a novel in which the theme of savagery versus civilisation is shown. Ralph represents civilisation as he wants to enforce rules and let everyone have an equal say. Whereas Jack who represents savagery as he rules over the boys and he is not interested in what they have to say. Through the boys actions Golding shows us that we need rules and to consciously impose them to make sure society functions properly.

27 thoughts on “Lord of the Flies – sample essay.”

AWESOME thanks guys!!

This essay was really helpful and thought provoking. I noticed a comment about how this essay could improve and I understand that this essay follows Scottish Qualifications, but I just have two suggestions to improve it.

At the beginning of Paragraph 4 it states “One of ways”. I think that perhaps the author meant “One of the ways”.

Also, in Paragraph 5 the author uses “We”, it may be different in Scotland, but I learnt that in essays one does not use personal pronouns.

Other than that it was really well written <3 Thank you!

I’m sorry you didn’t find the essay any help. There are mistakes in this as it was written by a National 5 class and is an exact sample essay as written by the pupils (equivalent to GCSE) and as a result of that there are some errors. It does talk about the same thing over and over again – civilisation versus savagery – but it is supposed to as this was the focus of the essay question. When writing a critical essay you need to pick out things from the text that answer the question. You will notice that different things are picked out from the text that relate to the fight between civilisation and savagery – whether this is the symbols used in the book or the actions of some of the characters. Once this has been selected to speak about you need to lift evidence from the text to support what you are saying and then explain it to your readers. I hope this has helped you understand the point of the essay a bit better.

Ms Davidson

Is this essay meant to be for a GSCE course? I am doing an essay about it now and I’m in year 8.

This text is being used by students in a Scottish Secondary School for their National 5 English qualification. They sit their exam at the equivalent age to those studying GCSEs. It doesn’t really matter what age you are when you study the text, it’s more to do with the levels of analysis you go through whilst studying the text. This essay would be a minimum pass at National 5 in Scotland. It is written by students and is simply an example of what students could write in their exam.

Hope that’s helped, Ms Davidson

I was desperate to know what to write in the conclusion but then this conclusion gave me some help, Thank you

Thank you so much!! The points in this essay are extremely helpful and I was able to interlink them in my GCSE exam today. Very helpful source!!

You are very welcome!

I’m glad you found it useful!

Thanks so much I have this 5 paragraph essay that’s due and you helped me so much for idea wise

WOOOOW amazing thank you so much

😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

this is gold as I have to write an essay on lotf and was having troubles finding main quotes the had good techniques paired to them and this helped a lot

Is this a full mark piece ?

This would probably get 15-16 out of 20 at National 5 in the Scottish system. Hope that helps.

Glad it was useful!

Thank you so much this was so extremely helpful. You are a lifesaver!

I’m glad I found this essay because i got an A on my school essay. THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙂

I wanted conflict between ralph and jack ONLY

You can change the points and the link backs (the first and last sentence in each paragraph) to focus on the conflict between Jack and Ralph if you need to. Each symbol talked about here is either associated with Jack or Ralph. Also Jack and Ralph link to the wider theme of the book with each boy respectively representing civilisation or savagery. This essay can be used to help you structure the one you need to write.

I am writing a paragraph and i need to write about the theme, charecters/groups… i cant start the paragraph with the answers, i need an intro, what can i do for an intro, i am a bit stuck

I’m not sure I understand your question Sarah. Your paragraph seems to include an awful lot of things. What is the overall point you are trying to talk about? If you were looking at the theme of civilisation then you could start with a simple sentence saying “The Lord of the Flies explores the theme of savagery versus civilisation”. If you are focusing on a particular character then begin with “The Lord of the Flies uses one of it’s main characters Jack/Ralph to explore certain ideas within the text.” I hope this helps. Ms Davidson

This helped me soon much!I’m so happy that I got an A+!My teacher was so happy.

That’s excellent!

THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙂

I need help with that essay lotf essay why should a leader read lotf base on ralph.

Take a look at the essay based on the character Ralph. Adapt it the first sentence in each paragraph (your POINT) so that it focuses on Ralph being a good example of being a leader, or how they can learn a lesson from him doing something that shows him being a bad leader. Then adapt the final sentence (your LINK BACK) so it responds to him setting an example (or not!) for leaders.

I was reading through the comments and you mentioned that the essay would be about 15-16 marks out of 20, and was wonder what improvements could be made to get the last few marks?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Lord of the Flies

By william golding, lord of the flies essay questions.

In his introduction to William Golding's novel, novelist E.M. Forster suggests that Golding's writing "lays a solid foundation for the horrors to come." Using Forster's quote as a starting point, discuss how the novel foreshadows the murders of Simon and Piggy. Focus on two events or images from the novel's earlier chapters and describe how they anticipate the novel's tragic outcome.

Answer: The weather on the island grows increasingly more hostile and ominous as the novel's plot unfolds, Piggy's name suggests that he will be killed like an animal, and so on.

Many critics have read Lord of the Flies as a political allegory. In particular, they have considered the novel a commentary on the essential opposition between totalitarianism and liberal democracy. Using two or three concrete examples from the novel, show how the two political ideologies are figured in the novel, and then discuss which of the two you think Golding seems to favor.

Answer: The contrast between Ralph's group on the beach and Jack's tribe at Castle Rock represents the opposition between liberal democracy and totalitarianism. Golding presents the former as the superior system, demonstrated by the success of the assembly among Jack's group of boys and the ordered system that prioritizes the ongoing signal fire on the mountain, tactics that ensure the welfare of the entire group. Note, though, what happens in both groups over time.

Names and naming are important in Lord of the Flies. Many characters have names that allude to other works of literature, give insight into their character, or foreshadow key events. Discuss the significance of the names of, for instance, Sam and Eric, Piggy, and Simon. What does the character's name say about him and his significance? Use external sources as necessary.

Answer: Piggy's name, for example, indicates his inferior position within the social hierarchy of the island and foreshadows his eventual death at the hands of Jack's tribe. Simon was the name of Peter in the Bible. Jack might be named after John Marcher in Henry James's story The Beast in the Jungle , and so on.

Two major symbols in the novel are the conch shell and The Lord of the Flies (the pig's head on a stick). Analyze one or both of these symbols in terms of how they are perceived by the boys as well as what they symbolize for the reader.

Answer: The conch shell represents liberal democracy and order, as endorsed by Ralph and Piggy. The Lord of the Flies tends to represent an autocratic or a primitive order. Note the "exchange" of these objects at the novel's conclusion when the conch is smashed in Jack's camp and Ralph uses part of the Lord of the Flies as a weapon.

The children stranded on the island are all boys, and female characters are rarely discussed. How does this matter for the novel?

Answer: Gender difference is not explicitly discussed or represented in the novel, although femininity is symbolically present in the novel's representations of nature. Some of the male characters are "feminized" by the other boys when they are considered un-masculine or vulnerable. In a boys' choir, many boys have high voices that can sing parts normally reserved for females. It is unclear whether Jack's tribe would have become so violent (and nearly naked) if girls of the same age were on the island.

At the end of Chapter Eleven, Roger pushes Jack aside to descend on the bound twins "as one who wielded a nameless authority." Focusing on this quotation, discuss Roger's actions in Chapter Eleven in relation to Jack's power and political system.

Answer: Roger's actions towards the twins are unauthorized by Jack, indicating that Jack's own authority is under threat. Golding hints at a shift in the power system among Jack's tribe, which highlights the inherent flaws in Jack's system of military dictatorship.

Jack gains power over many of the boys by exploiting their fear of the mythical beast. How does Jack manipulate the myth of the beast to legitimize his authority?

Answer: Jack exploits the boys' fear of the beast to usurp leadership from Ralph, who stresses a rational approach to the presumed evil presence on the island. Within Jack's tribe, the beast continues to have a powerful symbolic and political significance among the boys, uniting them and ensuring their loyalty to Jack's leadership. When Jack first attempts to break away from Ralph's tribe, his authority is not recognized, but as the boys' fear of the beast increases, an increasing number defect from Ralph's group to Jack's, where the existence of the beast is not only acknowledged but is a central fact of day-to-day life.

By Chapter Three, the boys are divided into two groups: the older boys and the younger boys or "littluns." What role do the littluns have to play?

Answer: Consider especially the distinction between savagery and civilization.

What happens with the "littluns" registers the increasing brutality on the island. The earliest examples of violence in the novel are directed against the littluns, acts that foreshadow the violent events of later chapters. Moreover, characters who are kind to the littluns tend to remain most closely associated with civilization throughout the novel.

The novel's narrative action draws an increasingly firm line between savagery and civilization, yet the value of each becomes an issue in the conclusion, when Jack's fire saves the boys. Using these terms, what is the novel suggesting about human nature, evil, and human civilization?

Answer: The naval officer is a military figure, which reminds the reader that "civilized" societies also engage in violence and murder. Evil seems to be a force that threatens human nature and human civilization--from within. Still, evil is associated primarily with savagery and the worse part of our natures.

How does the novel reflect the Cold War and the public's concerns about the conflict between democracy and communism? Does the novel take a side? (Remember to cite all of your research sources in your bibliography.)

Answer: The Cold War was primarily between the democratic U.S. and its allies on the one hand, and the communist U.S.S.R. and its allies on the other hand. The initial events of the novel, following a group of boys in the aftermath of a terrible nuclear war, reflect and capitalize on widespread anxiety about the arms race for destructive atomic weapons. Ralph comes to represent the West and its values, while Jack comes to represent the enemy.

Lord of the Flies Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Lord of the Flies is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

How do the boys respond to Jack's call for Ralph's removal as chief? How does Jack react? Respond with evidence from the text.

There is a lot of immaturity here. The other boys refuse to vote Ralph out of power. Enraged, Jack has a tantrum and runs away from the group, saying that he is leaving and that anyone who likes is welcome to join him.The boys don't like the open...

What does Ralph recall hearing From Simon and seeing in the sky ?

The boys would see cargo planes in the sky and fishing boats in the sea.

Wooden huts on or near the beach are not called……

I'm not sure what you are looking for here, perhaps "shelters".

Study Guide for Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies study guide contains a biography of William Golding, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Lord of the Flies
• Lord of the Flies Summary
• Lord of the Flies Video
• Character List

Essays for Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

• Two Faces of Man
• The Relationship Between Symbolism and Theme in Lord of the Flies
• A Tainted View of Society
• Death and Social Collapse in Lord of the Flies
• Lumination: The Conquest of Mankind's Darkness

Lesson Plan for Lord of the Flies

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Lord of the Flies
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Lord of the Flies Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Lord of the Flies

• Introduction

89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🔝 top-10 lord of the flies research paper topics, 🏆 best lord of the flies essay titles, 📌 creative lord of the flies thesis ideas, 👍 good titles for lord of the flies essay, ❓ lord of the flies: important questions.

• Ralph’s character development in “Lord of the Flies.”
• The main theme in “Lord of the Flies.”
• The success of William Golding’s debut novel.
• “Lord of the Flies”: a discussion of innocence and power.
• The role of the conch in “Lord of the Flies.”
• Civilization vs. savagery in “Lord of the Flies.”
• William Golding’s commentary on human nature and evil.
• The symbolism of fear in “Lord of the Flies.”
• A literary analysis of “Lord of the Flies.”
• “Lord of the Flies”: a summary of events.
• Evil in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding The idea is that we are born with both the capacity of good and the capacity of evil and that the way we are raised, or the environment in which we live determines how we […]
• “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding The reader will wonder that all the boys respond in the same manner to the sound of the blown shell. The author uses aesthetics to drive emotions out of the reader about the value of […]
• Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding In The Lord of the Flies, the fire in the story is lit as a symbol of hope and rescue. The island in The Lord Of The Flies resembled the perfect type of Utopia at […]
• Lord of the Flies, an Allegorical Novel by William Golding As the auction proceeds, the reader follows the heartbreaking events of the book. Boys hunt down a pig and place its head on a stick as an ‘offering’ to the ‘beast’.
• Literature Studies: “Lord of the Flies” by W. Golding Although Jack Merridew, one of the lead characters of William Golding’s shockingly unforgettable Lord of the Flies novel, is a child and still has a lot to learn in terms of how society works, the […]
• Writing on the Novel I Love: Lord of the Flies In a given Lord of the Flies essay, one needs to illustrate the different themes used by Golding in his novel.
• Lord of the Flies: Novel Analysis The sinister nature of the novel is inferred in the title which derives from the Hebrew word, Ba’al-zvuv which means god of the fly, host of the fly or literally the Lord of Flies a […]
• Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies” by Golding Considering this, the present paper will analyze the validity of the given statement by drawing on the experiences of characters in Lord of the Flies and evaluating the conditions in which they lived.
• A Comprehensive Analysis of the Key Elements of “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• The Role of Simon in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Literary Comparison of Ballantyne’s “Coral Island” and Golding’s Island in “Lord of the Flies”
• Attitude Towards Children in the Story “Lord of the Flies”
• Jack as a Symbol of Savagery and Anarchy in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Description of the Potential for Evil in Everyone as One of the Theme in the Novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Evil in Humanity in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Savagery and the Beast Theme in “Lord of the Flies”
• The Fall of Civilization Into Savagery in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• An Allegory of Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis Theory in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• A Literary Analysis of the Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Comparison Between the Movie and Novel “Lord of the Flies”
• Abuse of Power and the Effect of Tyrannical Leadership Between “Lord of the Flies” and “The Chrysalids”
• Fear of the Unknown in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Comparison of “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding and “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles on Peer Pressure
• Internal and External Conflicts in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Importance of the Extract in the Development of the Main Themes in “Lord of the Flies”
• Destructiveness of Jealousy Depicted in “Lord of the Flies” and “Woman Warrior”
• A Demonstration of the Influence and Power of People Over One Another Through the Character of Piggy in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Character of Piggy as the Character Who Most Deserved to Be Saved in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• The Role of Government in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Moral Consequences in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• The Symbolism of Power in “Lord of the Flies”
• An Analysis of Human Behavior in “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Lord of the Flies”
• Changes in the Conception of God in “Lord of the Flies”
• Inate Evil in “To Kill a Mocking Bird” and “Lord of the Flies”
• A Look at Disturbing Events Highlighted in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• Allegory of Social Dissolution “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Ralph as a Good Leader in “Lord of the Flies”
• An Analysis of Democratic and Authoritarian Power in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Leaders and Leadership in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Golding’s Pessimistic View on People and Society in His Book “Lord of the Flies”
• Analyzing the Themes of Innocence and Fear in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• A Description of the Occurrence of Civilization in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Importance of the Beast in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”: A Dream of a Deserted Island Into Reality
• Adventures, Conflicts, and Struggles in “Lord of the Flies”
• Good and Evil in Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Failure of Paradise in Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• Immorality of Human Nature Depicted in Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• Formation of Rules and Perception of Civilisation in “Lord of the Flies”
• How Golding Presents the Decline From Civilisation to Savagery in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Does Piggy Symbolize in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Second World War Reflect on “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Ideas About Human Nature and Behavior Golding Was Trying to Express in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Does the Plane Crash Symbolize in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Present the Character of Jack in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Express His Ideas About Leadership in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Roger Change in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding?
• How the Society Suppresses Evil in the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Create a Setting in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Author Present Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Show Evil at Work in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Anybody Could Regress Into Savagery in Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Is the Author’s Characterisation and Language Attributed to the Novel of the “Lord of the Flies”?
• Why Did William Golding Name His Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Present Death in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Setting Affect the Story “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Children Are Treated in the Story of “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Make the Physical World Seem Important in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Is Ralph’s Attitude Toward Piggy in the First Chapter of “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Many Boys Are in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Golding Creates Tension in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Opening Prepare the Reader for the Rest of the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• Why the Boys Were Doomed to Fail in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Influenced William Golding to Write “Lord of the Flies”?
• Ways That Golding Presents the Island in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Golding Uses Symbols in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Use the Setting to Develop the Main Theme of His Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Piggy’s Character Develop Through Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Ruined Ralph and Jack’s Friendship in “Lord of the Flies”?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, December 8). 89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lord-of-the-flies-essay-examples/

"89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 8 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lord-of-the-flies-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 8 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." December 8, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lord-of-the-flies-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." December 8, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lord-of-the-flies-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." December 8, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lord-of-the-flies-essay-examples/.

• To Kill a Mockingbird Topics
• Letter From Birmingham Jail Titles
• Brave New World Paper Topics
• A Good Man is Hard to Find Essay Ideas
• Call of the Wild Questions
• Hills Like White Elephants Essay Ideas
• Shooting an Elephant Essay Titles
• 1984 Essay Titles
• Heart of Darkness Essay Ideas
• Grapes of Wrath Ideas
• Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Research Topics
• Of Mice and Men Essay Topics
• Catcher in the Rye Topics
• The Outsiders Essay Titles
• Slaughterhouse Five Titles

Lord of the Flies

William golding, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

The " beast " is a symbol Golding uses to represent the savage impulses lying deep within every human being. Civilization exists to suppress the beast. By keeping the natural human desire for power and violence to a minimum, civilization forces people to act responsibly and rationally, as boys like Piggy and Ralph do in Lord in the Flies . Savagery arises when civilization stops suppressing the beast: it's the beast unleashed. Savages not only acknowledge the beast, they thrive on it and worship it like a god. As Jack and his tribe become savages, they begin to believe the beast exists physically—they even leave it offerings to win its favor to ensure their protection. Civilization forces people to hide from their darkest impulses, to suppress them. Savages surrender to their darkest impulses, which they attribute to the demands of gods who require their obedience.

Savagery and the "Beast" ThemeTracker

Savagery and the "Beast" Quotes in Lord of the Flies

Lord Of The Flies Theme Essay

Lord Of The Flies is a book written by William Golding. The book is about a group of boys who are stranded on an island and must work together to survive. The boys are forced to confront their own inner darkness, and the story is ultimately a morality tale about the dangers of letting evil take control.

Lord Of The Flies has been praised for its insight into the human condition, and it is considered a classic of English literature. It has been translated into dozens of languages and has been adapted for stage and screen. Lord Of The Flies is a must-read for anyone interested in human behavior and the nature of evil.

This book was the most fascinating I’ve ever read. It’s sort of a mix between Alive and Hatchet, to me. Because the book is so engaging and written with such skill, it did not take long for me to get into and finish it. The characters were without a doubt the most intriguing element of Lord of the Flies. All British boys, young males in this narrative show the savagery and sadistic nature that all but a few succumb to. On the island, there’s also an interesting conflict between Ralph and Jack.

Ralph, the good leader, is constantly battling Jack and his savage followers. The setting is also very important. The isolated island enhances the boys’ descent into savagery. The lack of adult supervision allows them to do whatever they please, including kill. Lord of the Flies is an excellent book that I would definitely recommend to anyone who is interested in reading about human nature at its worst. It is a story that is both shocking and compelling. 5/5 stars from me. Lord of the Flies is a 1954 novel by Nobel Prize-winning British author William Golding.

The book focuses on a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island and their disastrous attempt to govern themselves. At first, the boys are excited to be free from the rules and restrictions of society, but they soon become savages, destroying each other in their quest for power. Lord of the Flies has been called a “timeless classic,” and it remains one of the most popular books ever written. It was adapted into a movie in 1963.

Lord of the Flies is an excellent book that deals with the issues of human nature. The characters are all stranded on an island and have to work together in order to survive. The book addresses the problems that occur when people are placed in a situation where they must rely on each other.

It also deals with the issue of leadership and how it is often abused. Golding does a great job of developing his characters and creating a story that is both suspenseful and interesting. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about drama and conflict. Lord of the Flies is a classic that is sure to please any reader.

This book was also made into a fantastic film, which adheres to the plot. I had a favorite character in this novel. His name is Simon. Simon stands out because he likes to be alone and go for long walks in the jungle, whereas the majority of the other boys are playing. He also uncovers the island’s monster, which everyone fears. Finally, he finds out who the true source of evil on the island is: Lord of the Flies himself, and he is subsequently betrayed by his friends. I believe that Lord of the Flies is an excellent book since I am an enthusiastic and longtime reader.

The book is full of suspense, mystery, and horror. It is a great read! Lord Of The Flies is a novel written by William Golding. The story takes place in the midst of an unspecified war, where a group of British schoolboys are stranded on an uninhabited island and must find their way back home. At first, the boys try to recreate their society from back home, electing a leader and creating shelters. However, things quickly disintegrate into chaos as the boys become more and more savage, killing each other for no reason.

The only character who maintains any sense of morality is Simon, who is eventually killed by the other boys. Lord Of The Flies is a well-known and critically acclaimed novel that explores the dark side of human nature. It was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983. Lord Of The Flies has been adapted into a movie and a play, and is commonly studied in schools around the world.

I think Lord of the Flies is an excellent book because it is suspenseful, dark, and mysterious. I also like how it explores the darker side of human nature. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart, as it contains violence and gore. However, if you are looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Lord of the Flies is a great choice.

The book was also made into a fantastic film that captured the book’s finest elements. The greatest lesson I derived from Lord of the Flies is that people can not let one thing dominate their entire life. They cannot allow avarice control their every action and thought, corrupting them into performing on an evil goal. Lord of the Flies was a wonderful book, and whenever I think about it, I see a young boy conversing with a bloody pig’s head on a stick in the middle of a lovely, sunny little meadow dotted with brilliant flowers.

It is a great book and I would recommend it to anyone. Lord of the Flies is my favorite book. Lord of the Flies was written by William Golding and published in 1954. The story is about a group of boys who are stranded on an uninhabited island and have to govern themselves. The boys soon descend into anarchy, with the strongest and most sadistic boys taking control. The novel explores the dark side of human nature, and the boys’ descent into savagery. Lord of the Flies has been banned from many schools because of its controversial content.

It was also made into a movie in 1963. Lord of the Flies is one of my favorite books, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good read. It is a book about the dark side of human nature, and the descent into savagery that can occur when people are left to govern themselves. Lord of the Flies is a great read, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good book.

More Essays

• William Goldings Lord Of The Flies: Theme Analysis Essay
• Piggy’s Death Lord Of The Flies
• Lord Of The Flies Christianity
• Lord of the Flies: Symbolism
• Essay about Evil In Lord Of The Flies Analysis
• Reflection For Lord Of The Flies Informative Essay
• Lord of the Flies: An Analysis
• John Locke Lord Of The Flies Analysis Essay
• Lord Of The Flies Characteristics Essay
• Lord Of The Flies Leadership Style Analysis Essay

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Navigating the Wilderness of Humanity: Insights from the ‘Lord of the Flies’ Movie

This essay offers a compelling examination of the film adaptations of William Golding’s ‘Lord of the Flies’, delving deep into the narrative’s exploration of human nature and societal breakdown. It highlights how the film portrays the transformation of a group of marooned boys from civilized individuals to embodiments of primal instincts, emphasizing the conflict between order and chaos. The essay discusses the film’s use of symbolism and powerful cinematography to amplify themes of morality, leadership, and the innate propensity for savagery within humans. It underscores the portrayal of leadership struggles, the corrupting influence of power, and the haunting realization of the ‘beast’ within. The piece reflects on how ‘Lord of the Flies’ serves not just as a tale of survival but as a profound commentary on the fragility of civilization and the dark undercurrents of the human psyche. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to Lord Of The Flies.

How it works

The cinematic adaptation of William Golding’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ is much more than a mere survival narrative; it’s a profound exploration of the human psyche under the duress of societal collapse. Released in 1963 and later remade in 1990, the film translates the raw intensity and the nuanced undercurrents of Golding’s novel onto the screen, offering viewers a stark glimpse into the darkness and complexity of human nature.

From the opening scenes, the movie plunges its audience into a disturbingly idyllic setting: a deserted island, initially a picture of paradise, soon to become a stage for chaos and moral disintegration.

The story unfolds around a group of boys marooned on this island, away from the confines and constructs of society. The initial joy of freedom quickly spirals into a harrowing saga of survival, power struggles, and the eventual disintegration of order and civility.

The film’s power lies in its raw and unflinching portrayal of this descent. The characters, initially bound by the common goal of survival, gradually succumb to their primal instincts. The conch shell, a symbol of order and civilization, loses its influence as the veneer of societal norms fades, revealing the unsettling truth about human nature’s inherent duality. The transformation of characters, especially that of Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, is portrayed with an intensity that resonates with the viewer, forcing one to confront uncomfortable questions about morality, leadership, and the innate propensity for savagery.

The directors of both film adaptations, Peter Brook (1963) and Harry Hook (1990), use the visual medium to amplify themes present in Golding’s text. The starkness of the black and white film in Brook’s version adds a layer of grim reality, while Hook’s use of color in the latter adaptation highlights the stark contrast between the lushness of the surroundings and the dark events unfolding within it. The cinematography, focusing on the hauntingly beautiful yet increasingly menacing landscape, mirrors the internal tumult and deterioration of the boys’ societal structure.

Perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of the film is its exploration of leadership and power dynamics. The rivalry between Ralph, the embodiment of order and democracy, and Jack, who represents anarchy and tyranny, is a microcosm of larger societal conflicts. This power struggle, underlined by the haunting use of symbolism such as Piggy’s glasses or the ominous ‘Lord of the Flies’, adds a layer of depth to the narrative, making it a study of power and its corrupting influence.

Moreover, the film does not just depict the breakdown of civilization; it also offers a commentary on the nature of evil and the concept of innocence. The chilling realization that the ‘beast’ the boys fear is nothing but a manifestation of their own inner darkness is a profound commentary on human nature. The innocence of the children, juxtaposed with their capability for unspeakable cruelty, poses unsettling questions about the inherent goodness of humanity.

In conclusion, the ‘Lord of the Flies’ movie is a compelling cinematic venture that delves deep into the complexities of human nature. It’s a narrative that doesn’t merely narrate a tale of survival but forces viewers to confront the unsettling aspects of human nature and society. The haunting imagery, powerful performances, and the underlying philosophical questions make the film an enduring piece of cinematic art. It serves as a mirror, reflecting the inherent chaos and order within each individual, reminding us of the fragile veneer of civilization that separates order from chaos, civility from savagery.

Cite this page

Navigating the Wilderness of Humanity: Insights from the 'Lord of the Flies' Movie. (2024, Jan 26). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/navigating-the-wilderness-of-humanity-insights-from-the-lord-of-the-flies-movie/

"Navigating the Wilderness of Humanity: Insights from the 'Lord of the Flies' Movie." PapersOwl.com , 26 Jan 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/navigating-the-wilderness-of-humanity-insights-from-the-lord-of-the-flies-movie/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Navigating the Wilderness of Humanity: Insights from the 'Lord of the Flies' Movie . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/navigating-the-wilderness-of-humanity-insights-from-the-lord-of-the-flies-movie/ [Accessed: 16 Apr. 2024]

"Navigating the Wilderness of Humanity: Insights from the 'Lord of the Flies' Movie." PapersOwl.com, Jan 26, 2024. Accessed April 16, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/navigating-the-wilderness-of-humanity-insights-from-the-lord-of-the-flies-movie/

"Navigating the Wilderness of Humanity: Insights from the 'Lord of the Flies' Movie," PapersOwl.com , 26-Jan-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/navigating-the-wilderness-of-humanity-insights-from-the-lord-of-the-flies-movie/. [Accessed: 16-Apr-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Navigating the Wilderness of Humanity: Insights from the 'Lord of the Flies' Movie . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/navigating-the-wilderness-of-humanity-insights-from-the-lord-of-the-flies-movie/ [Accessed: 16-Apr-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Lord of The Flies — Lord of the Flies: Symbolism Analysis

Lord of The Flies: Symbolism Analysis

• Categories: Lord of The Flies Symbolism

About this sample

Words: 501 |

Published: Mar 20, 2024

Words: 501 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Symbolism in lord of the flies, analysis of symbolism.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 435 words

4 pages / 1849 words

4 pages / 1989 words

6.5 pages / 3030 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Lord of The Flies

In William Golding's classic novel, Lord of the Flies, Piggy's glasses serve as a powerful symbol that conveys deeper meanings and themes within the story. While Piggy himself represents reason, intelligence, and civilization in [...]

William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies is a literary masterpiece that delves into the psyche of human beings and the horrors of society. One of the significant features of this novel is the presence of the littluns, who are [...]

Fire symbolism in Lord of the Flies has been a topic of much debate and analysis since the novel was first published in 1954. In this essay, we will explore the significance of fire in the novel and how it is used to represent [...]

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a novel that has been studied by students and scholars alike for its intricate portrayal of human nature. The novel is set on a deserted island where a group of boys are left to fend for [...]

Did the role of gender have any influence on the actions in the well known novel the Lord of the Flies? Would things have turned out differently if it was all girls stranded on the island, instead of all boys? Gender criticism [...]

Leadership is directing a group of people to work together towards a common goal while assuring nobody's fundamental human rights are taken away from them. While reading Lord of the Flies, many teachers and historians argue if [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free