Lord of The Flies

Lord of The FliesLord of The Flies

Background and InformationBackground and Information

Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies► SettingSetting

Near FutureNear Future Nuclear War – Attack Nuclear War – Attack

on Englandon England Plane CrashPlane Crash Group of Children – Group of Children –

BoysBoys Total isolation from Total isolation from

outside worldoutside world No adult No adult

“supervision”“supervision”

► CharactersCharacters RalphRalph JackJack PiggyPiggy SimonSimon RogerRoger Sam and EricSam and Eric

Tristan de Cunha

Sir William Gerald GoldingSir William Gerald Golding► 1911 – 19931911 – 1993► Won Nobel Prize 1983Won Nobel Prize 1983► British Writer – British Writer –

educated at Oxfordeducated at Oxford► 1934 – Published book 1934 – Published book

of short stories – prior of short stories – prior to earning his BA in to earning his BA in English.English.

► Married Ann Brookfield Married Ann Brookfield – had two kids.– had two kids.

► WWII – Served in the WWII – Served in the Royal Navy – Blowing Royal Navy – Blowing up of Bismarck in 1940.up of Bismarck in 1940.

► ““Man produces evil as Man produces evil as a bee produces honey.” a bee produces honey.” – Intrigued by the dark – Intrigued by the dark side of humanity.side of humanity.

► Long time teacher – Long time teacher – resigned in 1961.resigned in 1961.

► After 1961 – Full time After 1961 – Full time writerwriter The Spire - 1964The Spire - 1964 Rites of Passage - 1980Rites of Passage - 1980 Close Quarters - 1987Close Quarters - 1987 Fire down Below – 1989Fire down Below – 1989

► Knighted in 1988Knighted in 1988

LOF Cont.LOF Cont.► SymbolismSymbolism

The ConchThe Conch The GlassesThe Glasses The IslandThe Island The Lord of the FliesThe Lord of the Flies The ScarThe Scar The BeastThe Beast The CharactersThe Characters

► ThemesThemes The importance of The importance of

societysociety Abuse of powerAbuse of power Fear of the unknownFear of the unknown The degradation of The degradation of

othersothers The consequences of The consequences of

our decisionsour decisions

LOF – General InfoLOF – General Info► Published 1954Published 1954► Turned down by 21 Turned down by 21

publisherspublishers► Allegorical in natureAllegorical in nature► Film Versions – Film Versions –

1963 and 19901963 and 1990► Based on R.M. Based on R.M.

Ballantyne’s Ballantyne’s Coral Coral Island Island JackJack RalphRalph

► 1 of 100 greatest 1 of 100 greatest English Works 1923 English Works 1923 – Present – Time – Present – Time MagazineMagazine

► Translated into Translated into many languages.many languages.

►King Lear - "As flies - "As flies to wanton boys, are to wanton boys, are we to the gods, — we to the gods, — They kill us for their They kill us for their sport.” sport.”

Chapter 1 – Discussion Chapter 1 – Discussion QuestionsQuestions

► How did they come to be on this island?How did they come to be on this island?► Describe the scar. How was it created?Describe the scar. How was it created?► How do people seem to treat Piggy? Why?How do people seem to treat Piggy? Why?► Describe your first impression of Jack.Describe your first impression of Jack.► Why do you feel Ralph was chosen to be chief? Do Why do you feel Ralph was chosen to be chief? Do

you think he will prove to be an effective leader?you think he will prove to be an effective leader?► Describe the conch shell. What value do they find in Describe the conch shell. What value do they find in

it?it?► Explain the expedition on which they set forth. Who Explain the expedition on which they set forth. Who

goes on this trip?goes on this trip?► What might be the significance in the tumbling of What might be the significance in the tumbling of

the large rock off the mountain?the large rock off the mountain?► Describe the encounter with the pig. What might Describe the encounter with the pig. What might

we learn from this?we learn from this?► Choose something from chapter 1 that you feel Choose something from chapter 1 that you feel

could be symbolic in nature. Explain what this could be symbolic in nature. Explain what this item / character might symbolize and why.item / character might symbolize and why.