Lord of the Flies

background

Notes on the author and novel

I. William GoldingA. Described as a

moralist with a dark view of human nature

B. During WW2, he served for five years in the Royal Navy

C. Navy experience shattered his youthful optimism about the innate goodness of human nature

II. Golding’s outlook on life

A. Evil springs from within the human being

B. The struggle to maintain civilization depends on the ethical nature of the individual

III. Historical and Cultural Context

LOtF has influences not only of the historical period in which it was written, but also various cultural theories and beliefs from earlier times.

IV. Historical HappeningsA. Bombing of cities during WW2

(1939 – 1945)…millions killed or displaced

B. News of the Nazis’ systematic extermination of Jews and other groups…how could this happen in modern civilized society?

C. Enormous power of atomic bombs…is scientific progress beneficial or is it a threat to society?

V. Cultural beliefsA. “Lord of the Flies” is an English

translation of Beelzebub, an ancient name for the devil.

B. Golding reacts to the concept of the “noble savage” espoused by writers such as French philosopher Rousseau.

C. Noble savage: people in a natural state are basically good and civilization corrupts human nature

VI. Before the novel begins…

A. Nuclear warB. British schoolboys on an evacuation

plane have been shot downC. Crash on a deserted island

VII. Background ReferencesA. Scar: the plane has crashed on the

island, burning away foliage, thus creating a “scar”

B. Creepers: plants that grow along the ground

C. The Coral Island: a book where shipwrecked schoolboys establish a utopian society and maintain their belief in the superiority of English civilization

D. In Lord of the Flies, Golding rejects the harmony that exists on Coral Island.

British Slang in the Novel Home counties – the counties near

London “sucks to your auntie” – forget your

aunt Head boy – an honorary title Wacco/wizard – excellent Sod you – a vulgar term showing

contempt

British Slang Cont’d Ha’porth – a halfpenny’s worth, or a

very small amount One for his nob – a hit on the head Lavatory – toilet Taken short – diarrhea Mucking about – wasting time Waxy – enraged Pax - peace