Q1.
What is the title representation of the novel "Lord of the Flies" by William
Golding?
The title "Lord of the Flies" is profoundly symbolic and reflects many of the core ideas explored
in William Golding’s novel. The phrase itself comes from the Hebrew name "Beelzebub," which
is often used as a synonym for Satan or a powerful demon, symbolizing evil and chaos. In
Christian theology, Beelzebub represents malevolent forces that work against goodness and
morality, and Golding’s choice of this title hints at the darker themes of the book, such as the
presence of evil within humanity.
In the novel, the Lord of the Flies is represented by a severed pig's head, which the boys impale
on a stick as an offering to the beast, a creature they irrationally fear. As the pig's head rots, it
attracts swarms of flies, becoming a gruesome symbol of decay, violence, and savagery. This
image is meant to show the degeneration of the boys on the island, as their initial attempts to
maintain civility and order disintegrate into barbarism and brutality. The flies buzzing around
the head represent the attraction of evil and chaos, drawn to the destruction and the loss of
innocence that the boys experience.
Moreover, the pig's head, or Lord of the Flies, comes to embody the boys' fear and symbolizes
the innate evil that exists within every human being. In one of the novel’s pivotal scenes,
Simon, who represents spiritual wisdom and moral insight, confronts the pig’s head in a
hallucination and realizes that the "beast" the boys fear is not an external monster, but rather
the savagery within themselves. The Lord of the Flies speaks to Simon, telling him that it is a
part of him and that evil lies within all humans. This encounter is central to the novel’s theme,
as it exposes the true nature of the "beast" as a psychological and moral crisis, rather than a
physical entity.
The title therefore encapsulates the novel's central exploration of the conflict between
civilization and the human instinct for savagery. Golding’s use of the Lord of the Flies as a
metaphor for the darkness within all individuals highlights his belief that human beings are not
inherently good or moral, but have a capacity for violence and cruelty that can surface when
societal structures collapse. The title serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of civilization
and the lurking potential for evil within us all.
References:
Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. Faber and Faber.
Woodward, K. L. (1982). The Beast and the Lord of the Flies. The English Journal, 71(6),
25-30. Link to article. ( https://www.jstor.org/stable/816947 ).
Q2. What are the major themes of the novel "Lord of the Flies"?
William Golding’s "Lord of the Flies" tackles several deep and enduring themes, reflecting on
the darker sides of human nature, society, and the moral dilemmas individuals face when
stripped of societal constraints. The novel examines how a group of young boys, isolated from
civilization, struggle to maintain order and the inevitable breakdown of that order into chaos.
Here are the major themes of the novel:
1. Civilization vs. Savagery: This is the most prominent theme in the novel. Golding
illustrates the tension between the boys' desire to create a civilized society on the island
and their gradual descent into savagery. Initially, Ralph and Piggy attempt to impose
order, establish rules, and prioritize the signal fire for rescue, which symbolizes the boys'
connection to civilization. However, as Jack’s influence grows and hunting becomes
more important than maintaining order, the boys begin to embrace their more primal
instincts. Golding suggests that savagery is an inherent part of human nature, and
without the structure of society, humans naturally revert to violence and chaos.
2. Loss of Innocence: The boys' journey from innocence to savagery is another central
theme. At the beginning of the novel, the boys are depicted as innocent children, but
their experiences on the island, especially their participation in violence, strip away that
innocence. Simon’s murder marks a turning point, demonstrating how even young,
seemingly innocent children can become capable of brutal acts. This loss of innocence
reflects Golding's belief that evil resides within all humans, and when societal norms
break down, it can emerge even in the most unlikely individuals.
3. Inherent Human Evil: Golding explores the concept that evil is an intrinsic part of
human nature. The boys' fear of the "beast" symbolizes their recognition of this inner
darkness. Simon, who represents morality and insight, realizes that the "beast" is not an
external creature but rather the savagery that lies within each person. The breakdown
of society on the island, combined with fear, leads the boys to embrace this inner evil,
culminating in violence and murder.
4. Power and Corruption: The novel also explores how power can corrupt individuals.
Jack’s ascent to power and his subsequent tyranny demonstrate how authority can be
abused when unchecked by moral or societal constraints. Initially, the conch symbolizes
democratic power and order, but as Jack gains influence, he disregards the conch and
imposes his will through fear and violence. This theme is a reflection of Golding's
pessimism about human nature and the ease with which individuals can become
corrupted by power.
5. Fear and Its Consequences: Fear plays a significant role in driving the boys toward
savagery. Their irrational fear of the "beast" leads to hysteria and ultimately violence.
Golding illustrates how fear, when unchecked, can distort reality and lead to destructive
behavior. The boys’ fear of the unknown drives them to commit atrocities, suggesting
that fear can lead to the breakdown of society and the emergence of chaos.
References:
Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. Faber and Faber.
Kinkead-Weekes, M., & Gregor, I. (2002). William Golding: A Critical Study. Faber and
Faber. Link to source. ( https://www.worldcat.org/title/257352176).
Q3. Write a brief summary of the novel "Lord of the Flies".
Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a gripping tale that examines the darker aspects of human
nature and the collapse of civilization when left unchecked by societal rules. The novel begins
with a group of British boys stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes during a
wartime evacuation. The boys, who range in age from six to twelve, must figure out how to
survive without adult supervision, and they attempt to establish some form of governance and
order.
Ralph, one of the older boys, is elected as the leader, and his primary concern is keeping a
signal fire burning in the hopes of being rescued. Ralph, with the help of Piggy, who represents
intellectualism and reason, tries to maintain order and focus the boys on building shelters and
keeping the fire alight. However, Jack, the leader of the choir boys, grows increasingly obsessed
with hunting pigs and eventually rebels against Ralph’s leadership.
As Jack and his followers become more focused on hunting, they begin to drift away from the
rules and order established by Ralph. Jack forms his own tribe, emphasizing primal instincts
over civilization. The group becomes more savage, with rituals such as painting their faces and
performing violent dances. The fear of a mysterious "beast" on the island exacerbates their
descent into savagery, and the boys start to believe that the "beast" is real.
Simon, a thoughtful and spiritually inclined boy, discovers that the "beast" is not a physical
creature but a representation of the evil within each of them. Tragically, when Simon tries to
share this realization with the others, he is mistaken for the beast and is brutally killed by the
frenzied boys. Shortly after, Piggy is also killed when Roger, Jack’s sadistic follower, pushes a
boulder onto him. With Ralph’s authority shattered and most of the boys joining Jack’s tribe,
Ralph is left to flee for his life.
In the novel's climax, Ralph is hunted by the remaining boys, who have fully embraced their
descent into savagery. Just as Ralph is about to be caught, a naval officer arrives, drawn to the
island by the smoke from a fire. The officer rescues Ralph and the other boys, but the novel
ends on a bitter note as Ralph reflects on the loss of innocence and the darkness that has
overtaken them all.
References:
Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. Faber and Faber.
Carey, J. (2009). William Golding: The Man Who Wrote Lord of the Flies. Faber and
Faber. Link to source. ( https://www.worldcat.org/title/276819892 )
