Lord of the FliesLord of the FliesWilliam Gerald GoldingWilliam Gerald Golding

Scaffold for ReadingScaffold for Reading

William Gerald Golding: BioWilliam Gerald Golding: Bio Born in 1911Born in 1911 son of an English schoolmasterson of an English schoolmaster Referred to his father's Referred to his father's

overwhelming influence on his life. overwhelming influence on his life. Graduated from Oxford University in Graduated from Oxford University in

1935 and spent four years writing, 1935 and spent four years writing, acting,. and producing for a next acting,. and producing for a next small London theater. small London theater.

Became schoolmaster for a yearBecame schoolmaster for a year Married Ann Brookfield in 1939 Married Ann Brookfield in 1939 Entered the British Royal Navy in 1940Entered the British Royal Navy in 1940 The single event in Golding's life that The single event in Golding's life that

most affected his writing of most affected his writing of Lord of Lord of

The FliesThe Flies, was probably his service in , was probably his service in World war II. World war II.

Injured in an accident involving Injured in an accident involving detonators early in the wardetonators early in the war

Later given command of a small rocket-Later given command of a small rocket-launching craftlaunching craft

The sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck as seen from HMS Dorsetshire

Present at the sinking of Present at the sinking of The BThe Bismarckismarck—the —the crown ship of the crown ship of the German NavyGerman Navy

Took part in the D-Day Took part in the D-Day Landings in France in Landings in France in June 1944. He later June 1944. He later described his described his Experience in the war Experience in the war as one in which “one as one in which “one had one’s nose rubbed had one’s nose rubbed in the human condition.in the human condition.

After the WarAfter the War Returned to teaching English and philosophy at the Returned to teaching English and philosophy at the

same school where he had begun his teachingsame school where he had begun his teachingcareer. career.

From 1945 until 1954: Wrote three novels rejected From 1945 until 1954: Wrote three novels rejected for their derivative nature before finally getting for their derivative nature before finally getting The idea for Lord of the Flies after reading aThe idea for Lord of the Flies after reading aBedtime boys adventure story to his small children.Bedtime boys adventure story to his small children.

Wondered aloud to his wife whether it would be Wondered aloud to his wife whether it would be a good idea to write such a story but to let thea good idea to write such a story but to let thecharacters "behave as they really would." characters "behave as they really would."

Won Won Booker PrizeBooker Prize (1980) and (1980) and TheThe

Nobel Prize for LiteratureNobel Prize for Literature (1983) (1983)

Schoolmaster in 1954, when Schoolmaster in 1954, when Lord of the Lord of the FliesFlies was first published was first published

Golding wrote ten other novels plus Golding wrote ten other novels plus shorter fiction, plays, essays and a shorter fiction, plays, essays and a travels book. travels book.

Golding died of a heart attack in 1993. Golding died of a heart attack in 1993.

What made Golding decide to write What made Golding decide to write a novel about children? a novel about children?

Reading to his own childrenReading to his own children

How did Golding die? How did Golding die?

A heart attack in 1993A heart attack in 1993

The Novel

What is Coral Island? What is Coral Island?

R.M. Ballantyne's R.M. Ballantyne's The Coral IslandThe Coral Island (1857) (1857) tells a story of a simple adventure without tells a story of a simple adventure without any deep social themes, portrays three any deep social themes, portrays three boys, Ralph, Peterkin and Jack, who land boys, Ralph, Peterkin and Jack, who land on an island. on an island.

Golding used two of the names in his book, Golding used two of the names in his book, and replaced Peterkin with Simon.and replaced Peterkin with Simon.

What is the setting of the novel?What is the setting of the novel?

Although it is never really mentioned Although it is never really mentioned where the island is located, it can bewhere the island is located, it can beassumed that it is somewhere in aassumed that it is somewhere in atropical region. tropical region.

How many copies of The Lord How many copies of The Lord of the Flies were sold in the of the Flies were sold in the

United States from 1954-1955?United States from 1954-1955?

2,383 copies2,383 copies

By 1959, The Lord of the Flies was By 1959, The Lord of the Flies was beginning to gain recognition. beginning to gain recognition.

Which book was it beginning to Which book was it beginning to challenge on American college challenge on American college

campuses?campuses?

The Catcher in The Catcher in the Ryethe Rye

Which band wrote a song about the Which band wrote a song about the book and when was it book and when was it

released? released?

The English heavy metal band The English heavy metal band Iron MaidenIron Maiden even composed a song even composed a song about the novel, with the title "about the novel, with the title "Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies" "

Released in 1995 from the album Released in 1995 from the album X-X-FactorFactor

What is the title a reference to?What is the title a reference to?

1.1. it refers to the sow’s head on the stick?it refers to the sow’s head on the stick?2.2. That represents the beast - the darkness That represents the beast - the darkness

within us all (and the thing that scared within us all (and the thing that scared the children the most and caused their the children the most and caused their society to break up).society to break up).

3.3. Another name for the devil which may Another name for the devil which may symbolically lay inside everyone– symbolically lay inside everyone– especially jack.especially jack.

4.4. the 'beastie‘- it became the lord and the the 'beastie‘- it became the lord and the kids were the flies because they gave in kids were the flies because they gave in to their fearsto their fears

Connection with Pop CultureConnection with Pop Culture most songs dealing with Golding's novel most songs dealing with Golding's novel

deal with “ good guy” characters in the deal with “ good guy” characters in the novel, this song is unique in that it's told novel, this song is unique in that it's told from the point of view of the most savage from the point of view of the most savage boys. boys.

It inspired Sunrise Animation's classic It inspired Sunrise Animation's classic anime series Infinite Ryviusanime series Infinite Ryvius

It was parodied in The Simpsons episode It was parodied in The Simpsons episode Das BusDas Bus and in another Simpsons episode, and in another Simpsons episode, Kamp KrustyKamp Krusty, , lord of the flieslord of the flies can be seen can be seen in a shot.in a shot.

It widely believed that the Nine Inch Nails It widely believed that the Nine Inch Nails song "Piggy" is based on song "Piggy" is based on Lord of the Flies.Lord of the Flies.

The book also inspired Gatsby's American The book also inspired Gatsby's American Dream's "Fable" and Local H's "Ralph."Dream's "Fable" and Local H's "Ralph."

The Irish rock band U2 called the song The Irish rock band U2 called the song "Shadows and Tall Trees" off their debut "Shadows and Tall Trees" off their debut album "Boy" (A concept album about album "Boy" (A concept album about growing up and lost innocence) after one growing up and lost innocence) after one of the book's chapter titles.of the book's chapter titles.

Writers and film directors have also borrowed plot elements Writers and film directors have also borrowed plot elements from Lord of the Flies.from Lord of the Flies.

Robert A. Heinlein's Robert A. Heinlein's Tunnel in the SkyTunnel in the Sky, published in 1955, , published in 1955, can be seen as a rebuttal to can be seen as a rebuttal to Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies

Stephen King has stated that the Castle Rock in Stephen King has stated that the Castle Rock in Lord of the Lord of the FliesFlies was the inspiration for the town of the same name that was the inspiration for the town of the same name that has appeared in a number of his novels. The book itself also has appeared in a number of his novels. The book itself also appears prominently in his novels appears prominently in his novels Hearts in AtlantisHearts in Atlantis and and CujoCujo. King's fictional town in turn inspired the name of Rob . King's fictional town in turn inspired the name of Rob Reiner's production company, Castle Rock Entertainment.Reiner's production company, Castle Rock Entertainment.

Lord of the Flies has also served a source of plot themes for Lord of the Flies has also served a source of plot themes for subsequent films. the main sequence of Apocalypto. subsequent films. the main sequence of Apocalypto.

A film adaptation of the book was one of the main A film adaptation of the book was one of the main inspirations for the reality TV show Survivor, inspirations for the reality TV show Survivor,

Lord of the Flies is referenced several times in the TV drama Lord of the Flies is referenced several times in the TV drama LostLost

Connection with HistoryConnection with History Lord Of The FliesLord Of The Flies is the literal translation of is the literal translation of

the Greek word the Greek word BeezelbubBeezelbub. .

In the Bible, Beezelbub is the name given In the Bible, Beezelbub is the name given for Satan by Jesus (this occurs in the for Satan by Jesus (this occurs in the episode where he casts demons out of a episode where he casts demons out of a crazy man and into a pig. crazy man and into a pig.

a line from which Lincoln derived his a line from which Lincoln derived his phrase about the Civil War– “a house phrase about the Civil War– “a house divided upon itself cannot stand.”divided upon itself cannot stand.”

The CharactersThe Characters

Piggy (and Glasses) Piggy (and Glasses) Ralph, The ConchRalph, The Conch

Satan Satan Jack Jack

The Island The Island "Scar”- the part of the island "Scar”- the part of the island

where the plan crashedwhere the plan crashedThe BeastThe Beast

Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies

ThemesThemes

PrimaryPrimaryLaws and civilized society holdsLaws and civilized society holdseveryone together, andeveryone together, andwithout these conditions, ourwithout these conditions, ourideals, values, and the basics ofideals, values, and the basics ofright and wrong are lost. Withoutright and wrong are lost. Withoutsociety's rigid rules, anarchy andsociety's rigid rules, anarchy andsavagery can come to light.savagery can come to light.

Underlying themesUnderlying themes

– abuse of powerabuse of power

– Lack of loyaltyLack of loyalty

– Civility vs. savagery Civility vs. savagery

– Look before you leapLook before you leap

– The fear leads to either insight or The fear leads to either insight or hysteria. hysteria.

Abraham Maslow’s TheoryAbraham Maslow’s Theory people want to be happy and loving, people want to be happy and loving,

but they have particular needs that but they have particular needs that they must meet before they can act they must meet before they can act unselfishly.unselfishly.

most people want more than they most people want more than they have.have.

Once a person met their most basic Once a person met their most basic needs, they would develop higher needs, they would develop higher needs. needs.

As one desire is satisfied, another As one desire is satisfied, another pops up in its place.” Maslow created pops up in its place.” Maslow created a hierarchy of needs with six levelsa hierarchy of needs with six levels

The Four Personality TypesThe Four Personality Types

It is believed that each person falls It is believed that each person falls

into at least one of the these into at least one of the these

Categories:Categories:– The Guardians The Guardians – The Idealists The Idealists – The Artisans The Artisans – The Rationals The Rationals

ARTISANARTISAN Concrete in communicating Concrete in communicating

Utilitarian in implementing goalsUtilitarian in implementing goals

highly skilled in tactical variation. highly skilled in tactical variation.

proud of themselves in the degree they are graceful in action, proud of themselves in the degree they are graceful in action, respect themselves in the degree they are daring, and feel respect themselves in the degree they are daring, and feel confident of themselves in the degree they are adaptable.confident of themselves in the degree they are adaptable.

the "Sensation Seeking Personality" the "Sensation Seeking Personality"

Educationally they go for arts and craftsEducationally they go for arts and crafts

at least 35% and as many as 40% of the population. at least 35% and as many as 40% of the population.

Composers, Crafters, Performers, PromotersComposers, Crafters, Performers, Promoters Examples: Ernest Hemingway, Amelia Earhart, Bob Dylan, Examples: Ernest Hemingway, Amelia Earhart, Bob Dylan,

Madonna, and President John F. Kennedy.Madonna, and President John F. Kennedy.

GuardiansGuardians Concrete in communicating Concrete in communicating

Cooperative in implementing goalsCooperative in implementing goals

highly skilled in logisticshighly skilled in logistics

intelligent operations are often supervising and intelligent operations are often supervising and inspecting inspecting

Interested supplying and protectingInterested supplying and protecting

Inspectors, Protectors, Providers, SupervisorsInspectors, Protectors, Providers, Supervisors

Examples: Presidents George Washington, Harry S. Examples: Presidents George Washington, Harry S. Truman, and George HW Bush, Queen Elizabeth I, Truman, and George HW Bush, Queen Elizabeth I, Mother Teresa, and Martha Stewart.Mother Teresa, and Martha Stewart.

IDEALISTIDEALIST Abstract in communicatingAbstract in communicating

Cooperative in implementing goalsCooperative in implementing goals

Highly skilled in diplomatic integrationHighly skilled in diplomatic integration

most practiced and developed intelligent operations are usually most practiced and developed intelligent operations are usually teaching and counseling/ mentoring, or conferring and tutoring. teaching and counseling/ mentoring, or conferring and tutoring.

sages in one of these forms of social development.sages in one of these forms of social development. have instincts for interpersonal integration, learn ethics with ever have instincts for interpersonal integration, learn ethics with ever

increasing zeal, sometimes become diplomatic leaders, and often increasing zeal, sometimes become diplomatic leaders, and often speak interpretively and metaphorically of the abstract world of speak interpretively and metaphorically of the abstract world of their imagination. their imagination.

Champions, Counselors, Healers, TeachersChampions, Counselors, Healers, Teachers

Princess Diana, Joan Baez, Albert Schweitzer, Bill Moyers, Eleanor Princess Diana, Joan Baez, Albert Schweitzer, Bill Moyers, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mohandas Gandhi, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Oprah Roosevelt, Mohandas Gandhi, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Oprah Winfrey.Winfrey.

Rationals Rationals Abstract in communicating Abstract in communicating

Utilitarian in implementing goalsUtilitarian in implementing goals

Highly skilled in Strategic analysisHighly skilled in Strategic analysis

most practiced and developed intelligent operations tend to most practiced and developed intelligent operations tend to be marshalling and planning or inventing and configuringbe marshalling and planning or inventing and configuring

they would if they could be wizards in one of these forms of they would if they could be wizards in one of these forms of rational operation. rational operation.

Architects, Fieldmarshals, Inventors, MastermindsArchitects, Fieldmarshals, Inventors, Masterminds

Examples are Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Bill Gates, Walt Examples are Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Bill Gates, Walt Disney,, Ayn Rand, Thomas Jefferson, General Ulysses S. Disney,, Ayn Rand, Thomas Jefferson, General Ulysses S. Grant and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.Grant and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

A Few RemindersA Few Reminders ThemesThemes

– Loss of InnocenceLoss of Innocence– Exploration of Modern Humanity vs. the Exploration of Modern Humanity vs. the

humanity of the pasthumanity of the past– Individual Responsibility (refer to Individual Responsibility (refer to The Cat’s The Cat’s

CradleCradle)) Novels are an attempt to revisit individual Novels are an attempt to revisit individual

conflict within a society and to question conflict within a society and to question cultural assumption and expectations cultural assumption and expectations ((Huck FinnHuck Finn))

Allegory- Moral fable: setting, characters, Allegory- Moral fable: setting, characters, and events that symbolize a moral or an and events that symbolize a moral or an abstract ideaabstract idea

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Young English boys shot down while Young English boys shot down while flying from a nuclear bomb attackflying from a nuclear bomb attack– Intro of civilization vs. savageryIntro of civilization vs. savagery– Pilot does not survivePilot does not survive

No adult supervisionNo adult supervisionChildren are pre-adolescent– thrust into a situationChildren are pre-adolescent– thrust into a situation

Will they behave in a civilized fashion Will they behave in a civilized fashion oror

will they revert to their savagewill they revert to their savage

instincts?instincts?

RalphRalph– Fair-haired boy, 12 years old, athletic, Fair-haired boy, 12 years old, athletic,

standing on headstanding on head– Protagonist Protagonist – Note handstands– things will be hung upside Note handstands– things will be hung upside

downdown

PiggyPiggy– ““fat boy”– physical appearance & weakness fat boy”– physical appearance & weakness

(asthma) is not taken seriously by many boys. (asthma) is not taken seriously by many boys. – Intellectually strong– symbolized by glassesIntellectually strong– symbolized by glasses– Right hand of Ralph– Ralph gets annoyed by Right hand of Ralph– Ralph gets annoyed by

his constant whininghis constant whining

Discarding of clothesDiscarding of clothes– Clothes=civilizationClothes=civilization– Discard vestiges of societyDiscard vestiges of society– Piggy reluctantly takes off his clothes, Ralph Piggy reluctantly takes off his clothes, Ralph

removed clothing immediately. These removed clothing immediately. These behaviors are indicators of how the boy will behaviors are indicators of how the boy will behave for the remainder of their time on the behave for the remainder of their time on the island.island.

Hope and DespairHope and Despair Ralph’s father– Naval Commander– Ralph Ralph’s father– Naval Commander– Ralph

is convinced he will rescue the boysis convinced he will rescue the boys