Published 1954 / Length 223 pages
A modern classic, Golding’s compelling debut novel is an allegorical fable about original sin: ‘the darkness of man’s heart’. In the midst of an unspecified war, a group of pre-pubescent schoolboys are stranded on a tropical island when their evacuation plane crashes, with no adults around and only each other to rely on. At first, they embrace democracy and civilization as they adapt to their new surroundings. But human nature soon intervenes – with horrifying results. Populated by characters that some critics have suggested represent different aspects of the human psyche, Lord of the Flies is brilliantly told with incisive brevity, overtly symbolic language and unrelenting pace. The tale may focus on the microcosm of a group of boys, but its impact is far-reaching, examining the struggle between reason and animal savagery that is the universal human dilemma.
‘This brilliant work is a frightening parody on man’s return (in a few weeks) to that state of darkness from which it took him thousands of years to emerge. Fully to succeed, a fantasy must approach very close to reality. Lord of the Flies does. It must also be superbly written. It is.’ – The New York Times
• Why do you think Golding chose to set the story on an island, and use children as his protagonists? Do these choices allow Golding to demonstrate his theory of evil? Is his theory correct?
• Discuss the symbolic meanings and journeys of such items as the conch, Piggy’s glasses, the signal fire and Jack’s painted face.
• Some critics argue that Simon represents Christ. What in the novel suggests this? Do you agree with this interpretation?
• How fully rounded are the characters? Do you think Golding manipulates the reader with some of his portrayals?
• What is the beast? Can it be defeated?
• Thirty-one publishers rejected the book before it was accepted for publication.
• Golding won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983. He once described the novel’s theme as ‘an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature’.
• The political situation at the time of writing was fraught – the Cold War between East and West had begun and there was a real chance of nuclear war. The novel is rooted in these concerns, with clear parallels contrasting democracy and totalitarianism.
• Heart of Darkness by JOSEPH CONRAD (see here) – also explores the darkness within mankind, and pits civilization against barbarity.
• The Beach by ALEX GARLAND – an isolated, seemingly idyllic tropical community turns on itself.
• The Coral Island by R. M. BALLANTYNE – Lord of the Flies was something of a response to this Victorian adventure story, which has a very different treatment of a similar premise.