the lord of the flies essay

• Lord of the Flies

William Golding

• Literature Notes
• Concept, Identity, and Manifestations of the Beast
• 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
• Major Themes
• Golding's Use of the Fable Structure
• Famous Quotes
• Film Versions
• Full Glossary
• Essay Questions
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Critical Essays Concept, Identity, and Manifestations of the Beast

Golding uses the boys' fear of a mythical beast to illustrate their assumption that evil arises from external forces rather than from themselves. This fearsome beast initially takes form in their imaginations as a snake-type animal that disguises itself as jungle vines; later, they consider the possibility of a creature that rises from the sea or the more nebulous entity of a ghost. When they spot the dead paratrooper who has landed on the mountain, the boys feel sure that they have proof of a beast's existence. In fact a beast does roam the island, but not in the form the boys imagine.

Golding wanted to illustrate in this novel the dark side of human nature and make the point that each member of humankind has this dark side. The boys conceptualize the source of all their worst impulses as a beast, some sort of actual animal or possibly supernatural creature inhabiting the island. Yet all along the boys take on the persona of the beast when they act on their animal impulses. There is no external beast.

Golding conveys the beast's identity through the literal actions of Jack and his tribe and through the abstract concept conveyed in Simon 's vision. Simon's revelation about the beast comes upon him after he witnesses the sow's death and beheading. As an observer instead of a participant, Simon is able to comprehend the brutality of the act. The sow's head becomes covered with flies, creatures that lack the capacity to feel compassion for or empathy with the dead sow, occupied entirely by their need to eat and multiply. That compassion is one of the key dividers between humanity and animality; tellingly, Jack lacks compassion for the littluns and the vulnerable Piggy . Soon his hunters lose their compassion as well, seeking only to hunt meat and increase the numbers of their tribe or kill those who will not join.

When Simon hallucinates that the staked head is speaking to him, his perception of the other boys as the island's true threat is confirmed. The Lord of the Flies confirms that "You knew, didn't you? I'm part of you? Close, close, close! I'm the reason why it's no go? Why things are what they are?"

Note that the literal translation of the Greek word Beelzebub, a term used for the Judeo-Christian idea of Satan, is "lord of the flies," and flies feast on dead animals and excrement. When Simon asks the assembly "What's the dirtiest thing there is?" he looks for the answer "evil" but also included in that answer is decay and death. Ironically, Jack's excretory answer is partially correct.

Jack provides more insight into the beast's identity when he asserts that "The beast is a hunter," unwittingly implicating himself as part of the problem, a source of the boys' fears. His lust for power and authority causes him to commit and encourage savage acts against his own kind — an accurate measure of his depravity. Sitting in front of his tribe, "Power . . . chattered in his ear like an ape." The figurative devil on his shoulder is his own animality, looking to master other creatures.

Golding pairs the devolution of Jack's character with Simon's hallucinatory revelation to paint a complete picture of humankind's dark side — that which the boys call "the beast."

Manifestations

Part of Golding's intent was to demonstrate that the evil is not restricted to specific populations or situations. On the island, the beast is manifest in the deadly tribal dances, war paint, and the manhunt; in the outside world that same lust for power and control plays out as a nuclear war. Prior to the war, some of the boys, such as the perpetually victimized Piggy, experienced the brutality of others on the playground, an environment often idealized as the joyous site of a carefree childhood. Within civilized society the beast expresses itself in various ways: through acceptable venues such as the military; in unacceptable forms such as madness or criminality, which carries punitive repercussions; or concealed in the maneuvers of politics and other nonviolent power plays. In Lord of the Flies Golding illustrates that evil is present in everyone and everywhere; humankind's work lies not in the impossible mission of eradicating it but in the struggle to keep it from becoming the dominant force in our lives.

Previous Major Themes

Next Golding's Use of the Fable Structure

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.

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.

Lord of the Flies Quiz

Test your understanding of human nature and survival with our " Lord of the Flies " Trivia Quiz! Do you have the insight and knowledge to navigate the complex dynamics and symbolism of William Golding's masterpiece? Accept the challenge now and prove your mastery over the gripping and thought-provoking world of " Lord of the Flies "!

1) Which character represents the voice of reason and intelligence?

2) What tragic event occurs when the boys reenact the hunt?

3) What does the "Lord of the Flies" symbolize?

4) Why do Jack and his hunters attack Ralph's camp?

5) What happens to the boy with the mulberry-colored birthmark?

6) What does the face paint symbolize for Jack's tribe?

7) Who leads the boys in the brutal killing of Simon?

8) Who is the first boy to suggest the existence of a "beast" on the island?

9) What object is used to symbolize authority and order?

10) What is the main source of conflict between Ralph and Jack?

11) What is the significance of the beast in the novel?

12) Who is elected leader of the boys at the beginning of the novel?

13) Who is responsible for maintaining the signal fire?

14) What does Ralph cry for at the end of the novel?

15) What do the boys call the younger children on the island?

16) Who is the author of "Lord of the Flies"?

17) What do the boys chant during their tribal rituals?

18) How does the naval officer react when he sees the boys?

19) What is the "Lord of the Flies"?

20) What event causes the boys to be stranded on the island?

21) How are the boys finally rescued?

22) What role does Roger play in the novel?

23) Who is the last boy to remain loyal to Ralph?

24) What do the boys use to start a fire?

25) What is Jack's main priority on the island?

26) How does Piggy die?

27) What happens to the conch shell?

28) Who discovers the true nature of the "beast"?

29) What theme does "Lord of the Flies" primarily explore?

30) What is Ralph's main concern throughout the novel?

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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.

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Lord of the Flies

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• Literary Devices - Lord of the Flies
• Internet Archive - "Lord of the Flies"

Lord of the Flies , novel by William Golding , published in 1954. The book explores the dark side of human nature and stresses the importance of reason and intelligence as tools for dealing with the chaos of existence.

In the novel, children are evacuated from Britain because of a nuclear war. One airplane, with adults and prep-school boys as passengers, crashes on an uninhabited island, and all the adults are killed. As the boys fashion their own society, their attempts at establishing a social order gradually devolve into savagery. Finally abandoning all moral constraints, the boys commit murder before they are rescued and returned to civilization.

Lord of the Flies

46 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-5

Chapters 6-7

Chapters 8-9

Chapters 10-11

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Compare/contrast what happensin “normal” society with what happens on the island. Is the society that the boys make more similar or different than the society you know?

Why are there no girls on the island? Do you think that having both genders represented would alter how the boys treat one another?

Why does the “Lord of the Flies” (138)—the pig’s head—tell Simon he is in danger? How does this scene relate to the novel’s title?

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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.

Where had Simon fainted before?

From the text:

“He's always throwing a faint,”said Merridew. “He did in Gib.; and Addis; and at matins over the precentor.”

Quote Analysis. "There was a throb..."

At this point Ralph is once again challenging Jack's authority, Unfortunately all the cards are stacked against Ralph. A storm is brewing and to deflect the boys' fears, Jack orders them to dance around the fire. This communal spectacle of...

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...

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

Lord of the Flies

Introduction lord of the flies, summary of lord of the flies.

As time passes, the boys start making fun of each other as well as enjoying without having any authority of the adults around them. Ralph, as the conscious leader, however, starts complaining about the direction of Piggy that the boys are not paying attention to the fire, nor or they interested in preparing huts for them. On the other hand, Jack, with his hunters, is engaged in catching a pig, though, they fail in their act. Meanwhile, Piggy points Ralph’s attention toward a passing ship that disappears on the horizon and they lament the negligence of the boys toward keeping the fire alive. The hunters, however, do not pay much attention to his complaints despite the fury of Ralph when he points their negligence at the troublemakers with Jack as their leader. In their wild frenzy of having their first catch, they ignore the leader, Ralph, and start dancing around. When Piggy rebukes Jack, he hits him, making his glasses flying away.

As hinted by Piggy earlier, Ralph immediately catches the conch and blows it to declare his authority, yet nobody pays attention, while the “littluns” are feeling neglected, expressing their fear of some ghost or beast lurking somewhere on the island. Despite the other boys’ argument that there is no such thing, the littluns do not feel safe. When the meeting is over, a parachutist from some fighting planes land on the island but is caught in the trees to rot there. When the twins, Sam and Eric, find the man hanging on the trees, they take him as a beast and spread the terror in the camp with the news. Soon the boys form a group to hunt that monster despite a difference between Jack and Ralph, the two leading boys. They, then, inform others about that parachute and the monster that they think it is, develops further differences about the leadership of Ralph. Jack alleges his fear for further removal from the authority, while the majority of the boys veto this move. Despite this defeat, Jack takes the hunters with him to part ways, while Ralph rallies others around him to light the fire, though. Ironically, most of them flee and join Jack in his hunting game.

Soon Jack takes lead and declares himself the leader of his hunters. They hunt a sow and leave its head on a stake. When Simon dreams about it, he thinks it the Lord of the Flies that is speaking to him. He soon becomes unconscious and when comes to senses he leaves for the mountains where he comes across that dead soldier hanging with his parachute. He takes it to the Lord of the Flies and runs away to tell others, creating a mess that all the boys including Ralph and Jack, who were busy enjoying the feast of the sow, consider him a monster and kill him. However, only Piggy and Ralph are conscious of what they have done, while Jack and his hunters soon realize the loss of fire and steal the glasses of Piggy to make their own. When Ralph tries to argue with Jack, he orders his hunters to chase him to kill him. Roger, his main hunter, kills Piggy with a boulder and Ralph flees for his life, seeing the conch also shattered to pieces under the boulder.

Major Themes in Lord of the Flies

 major characters in lord of the flies, writing style of lord of the flies ‎, analysis of literary devices in lord of the flies, related posts:, post navigation.

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.
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Lord of The Flies: Summary and Detailed Analysis

Lord of the Flies is a well-known book by William Golding, who won a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983. Interestingly, it's his first novel. The story unfolds with a group of boys finding themselves stranded on an island after a plane crash. They attempt to survive and establish order. However, without the influence of civilization, they gradually descend into savagery.

Notably, the book was published in 1954 and later adapted into two movies, one in 1963 and another in 1990. It's often compared to The Coral Island, a book from 1857. Now, this article, crafted by our expert coursework writer , is here to guide students like you in better understanding the plot, themes, symbols, and facts about Lord of the Flies. So, without further ado, let's delve into it!

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Major Characters in Lord of the Flies 

Let's start by getting to know the characters. In Lord of the Flies, the characters are teenage boys from Great Britain, evacuated because of an unspecified war. Most didn't know each other before landing on the island, except for a group of choir boys led by Jack. The main characters – Ralph, Jack, and Piggy – show different reactions to the crisis. Ralph is the fair-haired leader, trying to maintain order amidst chaos. However, as the others descend into savagery, they hunt him.

Piggy , Ralph's smart friend, supports him but faces physical limitations due to his weight and other impairments. Despite his practical ideas, Piggy tragically dies trying to retrieve his stolen glasses.

Jack , initially well-behaved, becomes a dominant hunter, challenging Ralph's authority. Roger, a typical bully, enjoys harassing others and kills Piggy.

Sam and Eric , inseparable twins, symbolize conformity. Simon, a gentle character, helps others but suffers a tragic fate at the hands of the hunters.

The Beast , a mysterious creature, represents the group's fear. Initially dismissed, it becomes a symbol of their primitive emotions and fears.

The naval officer , resembling a character from The Coral Island, sarcastically remarks on the boys' conditions when he arrives to rescue them.

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6 Key Facts on Lord of the Flies: A Brief Study Guide

Here are some key facts about Lord of the Flies to help you understand the book better. Meanwhile, if you would rather pay for my research paper , we are here to handle it with expertise.

• The book was written as a response to The Coral Island by Robert Michael Ballantyne, published in 1857. However, Lord of the Flies takes a completely opposite turn from its predecessor.
• Initially, the youngest kids on the island notice a mysterious 'beastie,' but the older boys mock them. Eventually, it's revealed that some of the older boys themselves were the feared monsters.
• Simon is the one who gives the pig's head, mounted on a stick, the nickname Lord of the Flies.
• The exact number of boys on the island in Lord of the Flies is unclear. However, two of them, Piggy and Simon, become victims of the hunters' violence and die.
• The text of Lord of the Flies features a lot of teenage slang, adding to its realism. The younger kids are referred to as 'littluns,' while the older boys are called 'biguns.'
• The main themes of Lord of the Flies include the role of civilization, the integrity of the human soul, and the equivocation of values. It's a great source for essays on topics like friendship, the challenges of growing up, maintaining civil order, and how the mind responds to difficult situations.

Summary of Lord of the Flies and Analysis

The chapter summaries of Lord of the Flies showcase a gradual descent into madness as the boys are cut off from civilization. Since the author doesn't provide dates, it's unclear how long they stay on the island. The text flows smoothly with abundant monologues, making it easy to read. Throughout the chapters, hidden instincts emerge, highlighting key symbols and showing how people adapt in the absence of external constraints. Now, let's delve into the detailed analysis of each chapter prepared by our essay writer for you .

Summary of Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell

The events begin on the island, where two boys – Ralph and Piggy – talk about the plane crash that landed them there. Piggy doubts that anybody is coming to their rescue since he heard something about an atomic bomb during the flight, and therefore, believes that the whole world has been destroyed and that they are all alone. The boys talk a little bit about themselves – Ralph talks about how his father is "a commander in the Navy. When he gets leave he'll come and rescue us" (Chapter 1). Piggy is the complete opposite of Ralph; he says: "I used to live with my auntie. She kept a candy store. I used to get ever so many candies. As many as I liked" (Chapter 1). He is chubby, suffers from asthma, and doesn't know how to swim. 

Ralph swims in the bay, where he finds a pretty shell:

Chapter 1: " In color the shell was deep cream, touched here and there with fading pink. Between the point, worn away into a little hole, and the pink lips of the mouth, lay eighteen inches of shell with a slight spiral twist and covered with a delicate, embossed pattern ."

He uses the shell to call a general meeting. Other kids come from around the island—among them are the members of the boys' choir led by Jack Merridew. Jack obviously has a lot of authority among his "group of cloaked boys." All in all, the boys seem disappointed that there are no grownups on the island. They discuss the need to organize themselves. Since Ralph was the one to call the meeting, the boys voted him to be "chief" of the group. 

Jack is dissatisfied with such a decision since he proposed his own candidacy for the leadership position:

Chapter 1: " I ought to be chief… because I'm chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp" (Chapter 1). Ralph wants to make peace with Jack and offers him leadership over the choir boys: "Jack's in charge of the choir. They can be—what do you want them to be? "

From this day on, Jack proclaims his group "hunters." 

Summary of Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain

After the meeting, the kids explore their new homeland. From the highest point, they realize that it's an island:

Chapter 2: "We're on an island. We've been on the mountain top and seen water all round. We saw no houses, no smoke, no footprints, no boats, no people. We're on an uninhabited island with no other people on it ."

On their way back, they encounter a pig; Jack wants to stab it but doesn't dare. The boys decide that they are going to have a good time on the island before the adults come to rescue them. They notice flowers, fruits, and the sea:

Chapter 2: " This is our island. It's a good island. Until the grownups come to fetch us we'll have fun" (Chapter 2). Suddenly, the younger boys, who have been staying somewhat aloof, raise a question about the island beast: "He wants to know what you're going to do about the snake-thing ."

The boys laugh and try to convince the youngsters that there are no beasts on the island:

Chapter 2: " You couldn't have a beastie, a snake-thing, on an island this size… You only get them in big countries, like Africa, or India ."

The boys decide that they will make a fire on the top of the mountain to ensure that the rescue ship finds them. They use Piggy's glasses to burn the dry leaves and tree branches. At first, they have trouble with lighting it, then keeping it alive, and then the fire spreads into the nearest woods. Finally, Jack assumes responsibility for keeping the fire going:

Chapter 2: " Ralph, I'll split up the choir–my hunters, that is–into groups, and we'll be responsible for keeping the fire going ."

Summary of Chapter 3: Huts on the Beach

During the first days, the only policies established by Ralph were to survive, to have fun, and to keep the fire going while waiting for a rescue mission. The boys attend regular meetings, but nobody seems to work too hard: Jack hunts all by himself, the choir boys spend more time swimming than working, and the younger kids hang out on the beach and eat fruits. The boys quickly realize that their only sources of food are fruits and wild pigs. Simon puts the most effort into the construction of shelters – he is kind, soft, and protective of the younger kids. Meanwhile, Piggy experiences more and more bullying from the ex-choir hunters:

Chapter 3: " There had grown up tacitly among the biguns the opinion that Piggy was an outsider, not only by accent, which did not matter, but by fat, and ass-mar, and specs, and a certain disinclination for manual labor "

The fragile order on the island begins to fail. 

Summary of Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair

Discipline on the island was absent from the very beginning, and the leftovers of ascertaining order were lost soon thereafter. The boys roamed the island and spent their days lazily. In the abundance of free time, they started to notice mysterious things in the woods. The idea of some beast hiding somewhere grew in their minds. Ralph continues to appeal to the kids' reason; however, Jack uses this opportunity to undermine his rival. Jack fed their fears and promised to find and kill the Beast to keep everybody safe. 

Jack summons all of the hunters to explore the island in pursuit of pigs and beasts. This meant that nobody was watching the signal fire on the top of the mountain. On one of their hunting trips, Jack, Bill, Sam, and Eric find a river with white and red clay. Jack smears his face with the clay:

Chapter 4: " For hunting. Like in the war. You know—dazzle paint. Like things trying to look like something else ."

The hunters then kill their first pig and bring it to the camp. During this time, a ship passes the island but doesn't stop since there is no smoke for a rescue signal. Jack triumphs on account of his hunting victory, and Ralph is upset because of the fire that has been lost. This leads to their first major argument. Piggy tries to express his support for Ralph, which makes Jack even angrier as he breaks one side of Piggy's glasses. 

Summary of Chapter 5: Beast from Water

Ralph calls another meeting where he reiterates the rules: the fire should be maintained at all times, the toilet should be in one designated place, and the food should be prepared only on the fire on the top of the mountain. As tensions between boys intensify, the younger kids continue to complain about the Beast. One of the boys, Percival, claims that the Beast comes from the waters. It becomes harder and harder to convince them that the Beast is the product of their imagination:

Chapter 5: " … the littluns were no longer silent. They were reminded of their personal sorrows, and perhaps felt themselves sharing in a sorrow that was universal. They began to cry in sympathy, two of them almost as loud as Percival" (Chapter 5). The meeting turned into chaos. Ralph, Piggy and Simon discuss the need for adults: "Grownups know things… They ain't afraid of the dark. They'd meet and have tea and discuss. Then things 'ud be all right ."

Summary of Chapter 6: Beast from Air

One night, there is an air battle not far from the island:

Chapter 6: " … there were other lights in the sky, that moved fast, winked, or went out, though not even a faint popping came down from the battle fought at ten miles' height "

The dead body of a man with a parachute lands on the island. When the twins – Sam and Eric – take their guard positions around the fire, they see the body and run away—calling Ralph for help. However, Ralph and Jack can't find anything when they examine the island. The boys notice that the fire is out again and decide to go up the mountain. It begins to get dark. 

Summary of Chapter 7: Shadows of the Tall Trees

On their way towards the mountaintop, Jack decides to hunt something because, as Roger says: " We need meat even if we are hunting the other thing " (Chapter 7). They spot a boar. Ralph hits it with a rock, but the animal escapes. In the heat of the hunt, one of the boys, Robert, starts to imitate the pig, and everybody else plays the hunter. They circle around Robert and scream:

Chapter 7: " Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in! " They really hurt their friend: "Robert was screaming and struggling with the strength of frenzy. Jack had him by the hair and was brandishing his knife ." The rage was so intense that Ralph wasn't able to inhibit the hunters. 

After the massive and violent ritual, Ralph, Roger, and Jack go up the mountain in the middle of the night. They notice the corpse of the dead pilot stuck in the tree branches with his evacuation parachute:

Chapter 7: " Behind them, the silver of moon had drawn clear of the horizon. Before them, something like a great ape was sitting asleep with its head between its knees. Then the wind roared in the forest, there was confusion in the darkness, and the creature lifted its head, holding toward them the ruin of a face ."

Due to their impassioned emotions, they convince themselves that the dead man is the Beast, and the three of them flee as fast as they can back to their camp. 

Summary of Chapter 8: Gift for the Darkness

Ralph is terrified of the Beast, and he even thinks that the creature is camping around the fire to make sure that the boys aren't rescued. Once the boys are back at the camp, Jack calls a meeting and accuses Ralph of being a coward and being unable to protect them from the dangers they've encountered:

Chapter 8: " Ralph thinks you're cowards, running away from the boar and the Beast… He's like Piggy. He says things like Piggy. He isn't a proper chief ."

However, the boys don't agree to replace Ralph with Jack, so the angry hunter goes into the woods to start his own tribe with the other choir boys:

Chapter 8: "I'm not going to be a part of Ralph's lot… I'm going off by myself. He can catch his own pigs. Anyone who wants to hunt when I do can come too ."

Day after day, Jack tries to attract other boys to join his clan by promising them feasts with delicious pig meat. Eventually, Bill, Roger, and Maurice join the hunters. The boys now call Jack "chief" and hunt all things that are alive on the island. They believe that as long as they leave something for the Beast to kill and eat, they will be safe. During one of their hunts, they kill a pretty big pig. Jack mounts its head on a stick:

Chapter 8: " Jack held up the head and jammed the soft throat down on the pointed end of the stick which pierced through into the mouth. He stood back and the head hung there, a little blood dribbling down the stick ." Jack proclaims: " This head is for the Beast. It's a gift ".

Simon watches the hunters from a quiet place he found for himself in the middle of the woods. While looking at the mounted pig's head surrounded by insects, he decides to call it the "Lord of the Flies." Simon begins to hear the pig's voice in his head:

Chapter 8: " You are a silly little boy… just an ignorant, silly little boy ".

The Lord of the Flies tells Simon that the Beast is inside each of the boys and that his life is in danger. Hearing that, Simon faints. Eventually, Ralph and Piggy decide to visit one of Jack's feasts. 

Summary of Chapter 9: A View to a Death

A big storm begins to brew over the island. Simon decides to go up the mountain to confront the Beast himself. He sees the dead parachutist and gets the straps off of the corpse. Realizing that there is no beast, the boy rushes back to tell everybody the good news. At the same time, Ralph once again enters into an argument with Jack over the title of being the island's authority. Ralph insists that he's been democratically elected as their leader. In response, Jack, whose face is painted with clay, starts a ritual dance while singing his favorite song:

Chapter 9: " Kill the Beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! "

The boys, scared of the storm, are also scared to be hungry and hunted by the imaginary Beast – so they join Jack in his savage dance:

Chapter 9: " The movement became regular while the chant lost its first superficial excitement and began to beat like a steady pulse "

Unfortunately, Simon enters the camp in the moment of their total madness. All the boys could see was a dark figure approaching from the woods; they quickly surrounded the figure, ignored all cries from 'some man' on the hill, and used their sticks to kill the creature:

Chapter 9: " The Beast struggled forward, broke the ring and fell over the steep edge of the rock to the sand by the water. At once the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the Beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore ."

Once the madness subsides, everyone realizes that Simon is dead. The body of the parachutist is blown away from the island during the storm. 

Summary of Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses

Piggy tries to rationalize the cruel and inhumane murder of Simon:

Chapter 10: " It was an accident… that's what it was. An accident. Coming in the dark—he hadn't no business crawling like that out of the dark. He was batty. He asked for it ."

But Ralph realizes that the boys have crossed a line, and there is no turning back. There are only a few boys left who haven't joined the hunters: Ralph, Piggy, the Samneric twins, and some youngsters. The boys are desperate to keep the fire on the island—as it's their only chance for rescue and survival. One night, Jack sneaks into their shelters and steals the glasses used to start the fire. 

Summary of Chapter 11: Castle Rock

The hunters now live in a rock cave that kind of resembles a castle; therefore, they call it Castle Rock. Ralph, the twins, and Piggy decide to go there and get Piggy's glasses back from Jack. The boys prepare for a fight as much as they can – they take spears with them, tie their hair back, and take the conch shell. Since Piggy can't see anything without his glasses, Ralph orders him to kneel down and stay behind once they approach Castle Rock. A fight breaks out. Roger starts throwing stones from the top of the mountain. Jack stabs Ralph with a spear. Ralph tries to appeal to the hunters to be reasonable and invest common effort into getting the fire going:

Chapter 11: "Don't you understand, you painted fools? Sam, Eric, Piggy and me— we aren't enough. We tried to keep the fire going, but we couldn't. And then you, playing at hunting... "

The hunters surround the twins, take their spears away, and tie them up. Ralph loses his temper and calls out to Jack:

Chapter 11: "You're a beast and a swine and a bloody, bloody thief! "

The heated argument results in Roger throwing a massive rock off of the mountain:

Chapter 11: " The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist… Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea. His head opened, and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy's arms and legs twitched a bit like a pig's after it has been killed ."

In complete silence, the boys watch how the sea begins to take away Piggy's dead body. 

Summary of Chapter 12: Cry of the Hunters

Ralph runs away to escape the hunters, " the bruised flesh was inches in diameter over his right ribs, with a swollen and bloody scar where the spear had hit him " (Chapter 12). He realizes that Jack will not leave him alone now. Sam and Eric get beaten until they accept Jack's rule as chief. During a secret meeting, Samneric warns Ralph that the next day, hunters will begin to look for him around the entire island. The hunters prepare to mount Ralph's head on a stick as a new tribute to the Beast. The boys torture the twins to give up Ralph's hiding place and set the woods on fire in search of their enemy. 

When Ralph almost gets caught by the hunters, he suddenly stumbles into a man on the beach. This man is a naval officer who is very surprised to see all of the boys painted in clay and running around with spears. The sky over the island turns black as a result of the fire started by the hunters. The officer thinks the boys are playing fun games about war.

Chapter 12: " The officer inspected the little scarecrow in front of him. The kid needed a bath, a haircut, a nose-wipe and a good deal of ointment ."

Ralph gives into tears and is happy that they are finally safe.

Essay Sample on Lord of the Flies

Gain insights into Lord of the Flies with our essay sample, where scholarly critique meets in-depth exploration.

Symbolism in Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies is filled with symbolism that adds depth to the story. Whether you're writing a 1000 Word Essay or something shorter, explore these symbols and their profound significance throughout the narrative.

• Piggy's Glasses symbolize civilization. Initially used to start the boys' first fire, they represent order and reason. However, when Jack breaks them during a fight with Ralph, it marks the beginning of the island's descent into savagery. Piggy's futile attempt to recover his glasses ultimately leads to his demise.
• The Conch Shell serves as a symbol of democracy and organization. Used to call meetings and designate who speaks, it represents the boys' attempt to maintain order and civility on the island amidst chaos.
• The Pig's Head , known as the Lord of the Flies, symbolizes primal instincts and the prioritization of basic needs over spiritual ones. It also embodies the boys' internal fears and the descent into savagery as they succumb to their wild impulses.
• War Paint is a symbol of disguise and transformation. Initially used by the hunters to mimic the appearance of savages they've seen in movies, it eventually becomes a mask, representing the boys' departure from their civilized selves and their immersion into a primal existence on the island.
• Uncontrolled Fire represents destruction and lost hope. From their first attempt to start a fire, which spirals out of control, to the devastating inferno that consumes the island in their pursuit of Ralph, fire represents the destructive power of unchecked impulses and the collapse of order.

Themes in Lord of the Flies 

As we explore the key themes in Lord of the Flies and their evolution throughout the story, feel free to leave us your request - ' write my nursing paper for me ' or any other topic, and we'll handle it swiftly!

• Civilization vs. Savagery : The central theme of the book is the contrast between civilization and savagery. The author delves into human instincts and questions how much evolution has suppressed primal urges. As the boys are freed from societal constraints, they quickly shed their civilized facades and descend into primitive behaviors, forming a tribal community.
• Youth and Loss of Innocence : Initially, the boys revel in their newfound freedom after the plane crash but soon realize they are alone without adult guidance. This prompts them to embrace their independence. However, the harsh reality of survival forces them to mature rapidly, transitioning from gentlemen to cavemen as they grapple with the challenges of island life.
• Fear and the Nature of Evil : Fear permeates the narrative, starting with the fear of isolation and escalating to fear of a mysterious beast and, ultimately, fear of themselves. As the boys relinquish their civilized behavior, fear replaces reason as the driving force in their decision-making. The text highlights the innate presence of evil within individuals and the struggle to reconcile with it.
• Power and Religion : Towards the end of the story, power shifts to those who can exert physical dominance, provide sustenance, and offer protection. Force becomes the primary currency of control, while rage emerges as the predominant emotion. Religion fades into the background, replaced by the primal instinct for power and survival.

Final Words

Lord of the Flies is a great book for writing essays as it has lots of important themes and symbols, and the story is easy to understand. You can write about the characters acting savagely, Piggy trying to make sense of what's happening, or Ralph standing up to bullies. And as you do, you always have our guidance. Simply request - write

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What is the main message of lord of the flies, what are the three most important symbols in lord of the flies.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Lord of The Flies — Death in Lord of the Flies

Death in Lord of The Flies

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Published: Jun 13, 2024

Words: 639 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The death of piggy, the deaths of simon and the beast, the death of roger and the implications of sadism, bibliography.

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Home of The Brave

Lord of the flies – charcater essay on ralph.

Choose a novel with a character who you find interesting. With reference to the text show how the writer made the character interesting.

In The Lord of the Flies by William Golding Ralph is a very interesting character. In the novel a group of boys become stranded on a desert island and must fight to survive. Ralph is a compelling character because he is the one who fights to keep civility alive amongst the boys and tries to stop them becoming savages. We can track how he does this throughout the novel.

The first way Ralph proves to be interesting is when he establishes a sense of order on the island. He finds a large conch and gathers the boys together and tells them “I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak, they won’t be interrupted”. We can see clearly here that there is a sense of democracy, any boy who wishes to speak will be given the chance to do so. The idea that they won’t be ‘interrupted’ shows that Ralph expects the boys to listen to each other and give each other respect even if they don’t agree with one another. Ralph is also clearly the leader here as he is the one in charge of where the conch goes. This makes Ralph interesting as he is clearly the authority figure and he is clearly in charge at this point.

Ralph continues to exert his authority over the boys. The younger boys begin to slack off from their work and the older boys don’t pay attention to the fire and so Ralph shouts “I’m calling an assembly” and the boys immediately gather at the point. This shows that Ralph is still the boss at this point and it shows the boys still have a sense of civility as they conform to Ralph’s instructions. This is interesting because it shows Ralph is still able to control the boys at this point and there is still a sense of a functioning society.

Ralph sees that the boys are starting to move away from their civility as time passes and he tries to remind the boys of who they are. The older boys let the fire go out and Ralph, furious at them asks “Are we savages or what?” The tone of this is angry and he is trying to tell the boys that they need to behave better. The loss of fire is a loss of hope of rescue. Letting the fire go out suggests that some of the older boys aren’t actually fussed about getting off the island. This scene is interesting because it shows Ralph is starting to feel exhausted from being the only authority figure and he is getting frazzled at trying to get so many boys to conform to rules that will ultimately save them.

Ralph starts to lose his authority when Jack begins to openly challenge him. Jack punches Piggy and steals his glasses in order to restart the signal fire, Ralph calls him out on it saying “That was a dirty trick” and we are told “Ralph felt his lip twitch”. Ralph is openly identifying Jack’s deviant actions whereas in the past he would have let Jack away with it. He is trying to control Jack here. His lip twitching is an involuntary action but it betrays Ralph’s dislike for Jack. This scene is interesting as the group of boys can now see the split between Jack and Ralph and will be forced to take sides, and Ralph here actually looks weaker because he is not using brute strength.

Finally Ralph loses control of the boys completely but refuses to join them as he still clings to civility over savagery. When Simon is mistaken for the Beast and murdered Ralph is the only one who will admit “that was Simon, that was murder” and when they are finally rescued and the naval officer asks jokingly had they killed anyone Ralph responds “Only two” and Golding reveals “The officer knew when people were telling the truth. He whistled softly.” Ralph’s first statement is just that, a clear acknowledgement that the boys’ savage behaviour has led them to kill someone. Ralph’s response to the naval officer implies that the boys could have ended up killing more boys if rescue hadn’t occurred. Ralph is not scared of the truth. Ralph is interesting because he is the one boy on the island who has matured and grown a strong moral centre prizing civility over savagery.

In conclusion, Golding makes Ralph an interesting character by showing him grow as a leader and then remain the only boy who will not succumb to savagery by joining Jack’s group. Ralph is there to show us what could happen when savagery takes over from civility.

2 thoughts on “Lord of the Flies – Charcater essay on Ralph”

This was a great essay wow.

well answered a job welldone

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‘Tiny Crime Fighters With Wings’: Bees Go to Work on a Virginia ‘Body Farm’

By studying bees and their honey near decomposing human tissue, researchers at George Mason University hope to give crime scene investigators a new tool for finding the hidden dead.

By Christine Hauser

Reporting from Manassas, Va.

Deep in the woods in Northern Virginia last month, two human bodies were carried to a remote spot among the trees and left to decompose. As nature takes its course, the bodies will exude organic compounds into the air and soil. Flowers growing nearby will absorb traces of the decay, which pollinating bees will carry to hives.

Forensics researchers at George Mason University plan to study the bees, their honey and the hives near the burial site, a new “body farm” in Manassas, Va., about 25 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Because bees forage within a close range of their hives, the researchers hope to draw up a formula for human decomposition that investigators can use when searching wide expanses of land for the hidden dead.

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Or as Mary Ellen O’Toole, the director of George Mason’s forensic science program, put it, the bees “are tiny crime fighters with wings.”

The university’s forensic science program has worked for several years to start the body farm, one of more than half a dozen research sites in the United States designed to replicate an outdoor crime scene where human remains are found. The team at George Mason hopes their studies in the environment of Northern Virginia could someday add to the toolbox of methods that investigators use in their searches.

“Because we are the first body farm on the Atlantic seaboard, it could tell us quite a bit,” said Dr. O’Toole, a former F.B.I. agent and profiler who worked on the Green River Killer case .

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