essay questions about lord of the flies

'Lord of the Flies' Questions for Study and Discussion

How to Understand William Golding's Famous Novel

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"Lord of the Flies" is a famous and highly controversial novel by William Golding. An unusually violent version of a coming-of-age story , the novel is viewed as an allegory , exploring the aspects of human nature that lead us to turn on each other and resort to violence.

Golding was a war veteran, and much of his literary career was spent exploring these themes central to an understanding of humanity. His other works include "Free Fall," about a prisoner in a German camp during World War II; "The Inheritors" which depicts a race of gentle people being overrun by a more violent race and "Pincher Martin," a story told from the point of view of a drowning soldier

Here are a few questions about " Lord of the Flies " for study and discussion, to help improve your understanding of its themes and characters.

Why Is the Novel Called 'Lord of the Flies'?

• What is important about the title? Is there a reference in the novel that explains the title? Hint: Simon is the one who names the pig's staked head. 
• Central to the plot of "Lord of the Flies" is the idea of order and society being crucial to survival. Does Golding seem to be advocating for a structured society, or against it? Explain your answer using one of the characters as your evidence.

Plot and Character in 'Lord of the Flies'

• Which of the boys on the island is the most well-developed character? Which is the most poorly developed? Could Golding have done more to explore the boys' backstories, or would that have slowed the plot?
• Could "Lord of the Flies" have taken place at another point in history? Explore this possibility by choosing a time period and determining how the plot would have played out there. 
• How important is the setting in "Lord of the Flies?" Would it have been as effective to the plot if Golding had stranded the boys on another planet, for instance? Explain your answer.
• The ending of "Lord of the Flies" is not unexpected; it seemed likely throughout the novel that the boys eventually would be "rescued." But does the ending satisfy you? What do you think Golding was trying to say by letting us hear the Navy officer's inner thoughts? 

Putting 'Lord of the Flies' in Larger Context

• If you were going to recommend "Lord of the Flies" to a friend, how would you describe it? Would you warn them of the novel's violence? 
• Understanding that the central plot is highly controversial, do you think "Lord of the Flies" should be censored or banned? Does it make sense that it has been banned in the past?
• Do you agree that "Lord of the Flies" is a companion piece of sorts to J.D. Salinger's " The Catcher in the Rye ?" How do you think Holden Caulfield would have fared on Golding's island with the rest of the boys? 
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William Golding

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Critical Essays Major Themes

Problem of Evil

Lord of the Flies was driven by " Golding 's consideration of human evil, a complex topic that involves an examination not only of human nature but also the causes, effects, and manifestations of evil. It demands also a close observation of the methods or ideologies humankind uses to combat evil and whether those methods are effective. Golding addresses these topics through the intricate allegory of his novel.

When Lord of the Flies was first released in 1954, Golding described the novel's theme in a publicity questionnaire as "an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature." In his 1982 essay A Moving Target , he stated simply "The theme of Lord of the Flies is grief, sheer grief, grief, grief." The novel ends of course with Ralph grieving the indelible mark of evil in each person's heart, an evil he scarcely suspected existed before witnessing its effects on his friends and supporters. The former schoolboys sought unthinkingly to dominate others who were not of their group. They discovered within themselves the urge to inflict pain and enjoyed the accompanying rush of power. When confronted with a choice between reason's civilizing influence and animality's self-indulgent savagery, they choose to abandon the values of the civilization that Ralph represents.

This same choice is made constantly all over the world, all throughout history — the source of the grief Golding sought to convey. He places supposedly innocent schoolboys in the protected environment of an uninhabited tropical island to illustrate the point that savagery is not confined to certain people in particular environments but exists in everyone as a stain on, if not a dominator of, the nobler side of human nature. Golding depicts the smallest boys acting out, in innocence, the same cruel desire for mastery shown by Jack and his tribe while hunting pigs and, later, Ralph. The adults waging the war that marooned the boys on the island are also enacting the desire to rule others.

Ironically, by giving rein to their urge to dominate, the boys find themselves in the grip of a force they can neither understand nor acknowledge. The Lord of the Flies tells Simon "Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!" and then laughs at the boys' efforts to externalize their savagery in the form of an animal or other fearsome creature. Simon has the revelation that evil isn't simply a component of human nature, but an active element that seeks expression.

Outlets for Violence

Most societies set up mechanisms to channel aggressive impulses into productive enterprises or projects. On the island, Jack's hunters are successful in providing meat for the group because they tap into their innate ability to commit violence. To the extent that this violence is a reasoned response to the group's needs (for example, to feed for the population), it produces positive effects and outcomes. However, when the violence becomes the motivator and the desired outcome lacks social or moral value beyond itself, as it does with the hunters, at that point the violence becomes evil, savage, and diabolical.

Violence continues to exist in modern society and is institutionalized in the military and politics. Golding develops this theme by having his characters establish a democratic assembly, which is greatly affected by the verbal violence of Jack's power-plays, and an army of hunters, which ultimately forms a small military dictatorship. The boys' assemblies are likened to both ends of the social or civil spectrum, from pre-verbal tribe gatherings to modern governmental institutions, indicating that while the forum for politics has changed over the millennia, the dynamic remains the same.

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Most Fascinating Lord of the Flies Topics to Write about

• The Treatment of Children in the Narrative of Lord of the Flies
• Xenophobia in Lord of the Flies by William Golding
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• The Wickedness of People in Golding’s Lord Of The Flies
• A Research of Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis Notion in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
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• Comparing William Golding’s Lord of the Flies and John Knowles A Separate Peace on Peer Pressure

Good Research Topics about Lord of the Flies

• The Reason Why William Golding’s Novel is Entitled The Lord of the Flies
• Golding’s Presentation on The Deterioration From Society to Barbarity In Lord Of The Flies
• How the Perception of God Transformed Throughout Lord of the Flies
• A Research of Human Characteristics in All Quiet on the Western Front and Lord of the Flies
• How Humanity Overpowers the Wicked in the Novel Lord of the Flies
• A Preview of Troubling Happenings Emphasized in William Golding’s Book, Lord of the Flies
• Parable of Societal Disbandment Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Good Leadership Exhibited by Ralph in the Novel Lord of the Flies
• Golding’s Negative Vision on Individuals and Humanity in His Book Lord of the Flies
• Researching the Subjects of Purity and Terror in William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies
• Unsuccessful Paradise in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
• How Iniquity Of Human Nature is Portrayed in Golding’s Lord of the Flies
• Goldings Expression of His Ideas About Headship in the Lord of the Flies
• Establishment of rules and Insight in Civilisation in Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies Essay Questions

• The Presentation of Golding in the Deterioration From Civilisation to Cruelty in “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Symbolization of Piggy in “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Reflection of the Second World War on “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Notions of Human Nature and Conduct Golding Expressed in “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Representation of Plane Crash in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How William Golding Introduced Jack in “Lord of the Flies”?
• Golding’s Notion About Leadership in “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Transformation of Roger in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding?
• How Humanity Overpowers Evil in the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Presentation of Human Nature by the Author in “Lord of the Flies”
• William Golding’s Depiction of How Wickedness Works in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Anybody Is Capable of Degenerating into Cruelty in Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Is the Writer’s Categorization and Rhetoric Connected to the Novel of the “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Did William Golding Come Up With the Name “The Lord of the Flies”?
• Golding’s Presentation of Demise in “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Influence of the Setting in the Story “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Treatment of Children in the Story “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Significance of the Physical World as Depicted by Golding in “Lord of the Flies”?
• “Lord of the Flies” and Jim Jones: Are Humans Wicked by Nature?
• The Number of Boys in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Golding Builds Pressure in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Prologue Equip the Reader for the Rest of the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• The Use of Story Background Cultivate the Primary Theme of His Novel, “Lord of the Flies”?
• Why the Boys are Destined to Be Unsuccessful in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Inspired Golding to Write “Lord of the Flies”?
• Golding’s Presentation of the Island in “Lord of the Flies”?
• Golding’s Use of Cyphers in “Lord of the Flies”?
• Development of Piggy’s Character Through Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Damaged Ralph and Jack’s Bond in “Lord of the Flies”?
• Golding’s Technique in Creating Setting in the “Lord of the Flies”?

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Lord Of The Flies - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Lord of the Flies, a novel by William Golding, explores the descent into savagery of a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island. Through this narrative, the novel delves deeply into themes of human nature, civilization versus savagery, and the loss of innocence. An essay might examine the psychological and sociological underpinnings of the characters’ actions and the societal commentary offered by Golding. There could be a discussion about the symbolic elements used in the narrative, such as the conch shell, Piggy’s glasses, and the “beast,” and how they contribute to the novel’s message. Comparative analysis with other dystopian or survivalist fiction, or a discussion on the novel’s relevance in contemporary society, can offer a rich examination of “Lord of The Flies” and its exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Lord Of The Flies you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

What Role does Fear Play in Lord of the Flies

Dread, significant for the endurance of mankind, it has consistently been engraved in everybody from birth and utilized til' the very end. In the novel The Lord of the Flies, the young men on the island are greatly influenced by dread, as it controls their choices and their perspective. William Golding clues to fear as the most hazardous and damaging power on the island and supports this by Jack's dread of losing power brings about his manipulative nature, Ralph's dread […]

Jack’s Personality in Lord of the Flies

In the story Lord Of The Flies by William Golding, published in 1954, there is a young man, named Jack. Jack is a that has crashed landed on a deserted island with other younger boys. Lord of the Flies takes place on an uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean. There are no older adults on the island to boss the kids around. there are much different symbolism the boy's encounter while on there stay. for instance, Piggy's glasses to create […]

Who is a Better Leader Jack or Ralph?

In Williams Golding's Novel, Lord Of The Flies , Ralph and Jack are leaders. Leadership is when a person who is confident to take responsibility and who inspire people to do things. A person is important because they encourage people to do things they want to do or be. Ralph is the better leader because he is more organized and he is more responsible and makes good decisions at the same time. Ralph is a better leader. Ralph is a […]

Lord of the Flies: Civilization Vs Savagery

Imagine being stranded on an island. your first instinct is to discover some nourishment, shelter, and to discover an exit plan the island. being marooned can be a critical circumstance. it can raise new difficulties and self-revelation. At the point when a group of young boys gets stranded on an island alone without any grown-ups together they should figure out how to live and make due as a gathering. Not exclusively should their principle need is nourishment and a safe […]

Symbolism in Lord of the Flies

In literature, a common symbol typically arises to convey an important message. The symbol often follows the characters and changes along with them. In Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, a story following a group of boys as they are stranded on an uninhabited island in the midst of World War II. A conch shell that one of the boys finds plays an important role throughout the story, symbolizing the only sense of peace and authority. Along with this, […]

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How does Jack Represent Savagery in the Novel?

In the novel, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the character, Jack, symbolizes evilness and savagery. At the beginning of the story, Jack manipulates the reader into thinking that he is a good character. This is shown when he volunteers to lead the group of boys. However, on the contrary, Jack portrays evilness throughout the book in many scenes such as when he kills the pig, chants the phrase "'Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood. and […]

Savagery and the “Beast” Theme in Lord of the Flies

The Oxford Dictionary defines savagery as the condition of being primitive or uncivilized. Savage and uncivilized behavior is the last thing you would expect from a group of english boys privately schooled; however, author William Golding thought otherwise. Lord of the Flies is a fictional novel written by William Golding in 1954, Golding used his experiences during WWII and as an English teacher teaching ill-behaved boys to develop the idea that people aren't innately good. After his time as a […]

Comparison of Civilization Vs Savagery

What would you do when you're stuck on an island with 3 other people on an island and some civilization such as a tribe of boys? This is what the Lord of the flies is about. The Lord of the flies is an allegory which is essentially a metaphor in which a character is used to deliver a broader message. Throughout this novel, Golding represents the conflict between civilization and savagery in the conflict between Ralph, who represents order and […]

The Symbolism of Power in “Lord of the Flies”

Russian dictatorship is a topic that is fitting when discussing power comes from fear. Stalin was an infamous dictator who used his power to create fear in the eyes of the Russian citizens. This is similar to William Golding's the Lord of the Flies, he demonstrates that those in power will take advantage of people's fear. In the book, Jack and Ralph both are in a struggle for power and both struggle to remain in power as they attack each […]

How does Roger Change in Lord of the Flies by William Golding?

Through the development of Roger in The Lord of the Flies, William Golding advances the theme that humans are capable of doing evil things, but society has conditioned us to hide it. Roger is held back in the beginning by the taboo of his old life and still holds on to the principles of his old life. Until the end of the novel when darkness has overtaken him. What Does Roger Look Like in Lord of the Flies Golding illustrated […]

Suffering Society

The story Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, is a novel displaying how fragile a society is. This story is about a plane full of young boys that crashes onto an island. At first, the boys think that it will be fun to be on their own with no adults, but they soon realize that it will be more difficult to survive than they thought. While trying to survive and be rescued, leaders are chosen and unfortunately the boys […]

How does Lord of the Flies Prove Boys Need Adult Guidance to Grow into Civilised Adults?

In the novel, Lord of the Flies, William Golding, suggests that without adults, children will grow up fast. Some are followers and some will rise to the occasion and become leaders. All of these children have one thing in common: they all grew afraid and lose innocence because they have now are boundaries that are set up by adults. This is best shown through the character Ralph in Lord of the Flies. The book is about a group of boys […]

Civilization, Power and Moral Consequences in Lord of the Flies

Order, leadership, power, and moral consequences are some concepts needed in society to maintain civilization. Lord of the Flies by William Golding explores these ideological struggles between two main characters: Ralph and Jack. With different perspectives about how one should rule, they both challenge each other from the start. The novel starts off with a plane crash in the middle of an unknown island where a group of young English boys are isolated without any adults, and are thus tested […]

Movie “Lord of the Flies” by Harry Hook

If the movie is made based on the novel, there might be several differences that director made to specialize and make the movie unique. In the movie Lord of the Flies, Harry Hook made differences with novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding to magnify the hidden meaning or symbols in the novel. There are variances in entire storyline, character depict, and other small areas. On the other hand, there are similarities that director maintained from the novel. Now, […]

‘Lord of the Flies’ Themes, Symbols, and Literary Devices

William Golding's best work, Lord of the Flies is a harsh tale about innocent boys stranded on an island that inevitably revert to savagery. Jack's (main antagonist) tribe conquered every inch of soil on the island with their brutality, despite Ralph (main protagonist) and Piggy's increasingly desperate attempts to halt this advance. Jack's tribe, which uses violence and oppression of outsiders, represents a military force, in direct opposite of Ralph's and Piggy's civilized tribe which represents a stable government. The […]

The Fall of Civilization into Savagery

Thomas Hobbes argues that "the life of man, [is] solitary, poore, nasty, brutish and short'" and the only way to avoid it is by accepting "mutually recognized public authority" (Lloyd and Shreedhar, "Hobbes's Moral and Political Philosophy"). In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding tells the story of a group of boys who crash landed and are stranded on an island that no one knows about. A few of the older boys attempt to recreate the organized society […]

Lord of the Flies Themes & Motifs

The Lord of the Flies is referencing the pig head that the boys used as a peace offering to the beast. Throughout the book, the boys change over time in many ways. As time goes on, the pig head begins to rot and by the end of the story, the head is only a skull. The rotting of the pig head symbolizes the boys developing and becoming more savage. At the end of the book, when the pig head is […]

The Descent into Darkness: Exploring Inner Evil in ‘Lord of the Flies’

In the book “Lord of the flies,” the boys face many things that give them fear such as the beast, the fear of not being rescued and in time the fear of each other, this fear awakens the inner evil within each of them. The beast or “beastie”1 takes many forms throughout the book which gradually changes as the boys slowly descend into madness. At the beginning, it is thought to be a snake, the author uses the snake as […]

Tree of Life

In many religions, the Tree of Life is perceived to be a symbolic representation of higher powers and the control they exert over humans. In early times people believed this spiritual tree would give them a path to immortality. On the other hand, other religious leaders state that this very tree could be the cause of the pitfalls in life. In the novel, Lord of The Flies William Golding utilizes the Tree of Life as a pathway taken by each […]

Lord of the Flies & WWII/Holocaust Connections

The fear and darkness of the time period had spread to all living souls in surrounding of the terror. William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, takes place around 1950 during one of the evilous events in human history. The Holocaust was a horrible act of exterminating humans for not being the way Hitler, in his mind, pictured for the human race. Lord of the Flies is a novel that has symbols with hidden meanings that historically relate to The […]

Ralph and Jack in “Lord of the Flies”

In the novel The Lord of the Flies we meet a group of boys who are stranded on an island without any form of civilization. The author, William Golding, never specifically states how the boys got to the island but it was implied in the first paragraph that were survivors of a plane crash. They plane was shot down in the middle of the ocean and crashed into the jungle where the boys were separated from the pilot and each […]

The Role of Government in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding

Politics seems to always have savagery involved, and sometimes savagery has politics involved. William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, may be set on a remote island sparsely populated with young boys who have become stranded and who are trying desperately yet ineffectively to establish and maintain order; however, the lessons that Lord of the Flies holds for the reader about the purpose and peril of government remain relevant as metaphors of modern politics. The naive, inexperienced boys who have […]

Adventures, Conflicts, and Struggles in “Lord of the Flies”

William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a fictional novel which tells of a group of boys who are stranded on an island with no adult supervision, and their adventures, conflicts, and struggles. The boys are stranded on an island and one of the boys, Ralph, becomes the leader of the boys and is trying his hardest to get the boys rescued. Meanwhile, another, Jack, shows no intention of getting off the island and makes a band of hunters which […]

Lord of the Flies: Leadership

Leadership is commonly defined as somebody who inspires people, rather it be strong non-verbal communication or standing up for someone in their team. Leaders are important because without a leader you’d be lost or misguided. With a leader you’ll have somebody to show you what to do and how to do it. Ralph and Jack are very different in their approach to leadership. Jack is impatient, strict, and harsh. Ralph on the other hand, is cooperative, patient, and less-harsh. Both […]

The Symbolism of Power in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies

Will they make it home? When the boys landed on the island Ralph was the one to take charge, he was more responsible than anybody so he became the person that the other boys followed after. He tries to keep the boys civilized by creating rules similar to the ones at home, and was the only one who made finding a way home their top priority. After a while in my opinion Jack become jealous of Ralph and tried to […]

Author’s Style in Things Fall Apart and Lord of the Flies 

The writing in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, is different than what I normally read. I think this has to do with the proverbs that are used. Achebe uses lyrical and visual language through the use of proverbs and short stories to provide a photographic view of the Ibo’s culture. “Yam, the king of crops, was a very exacting king. For three or four moons it demanded hard work and constant attention from the cock-crow till the chickens went […]

Opposing Forces in “Lord of the Flies”

In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Golding creates two drastically opposing forces that fight for dominance over the boys that are trapped on the island. One (the conch) represents civilization, democracy, reasoning, and logic while the other (the beast) represents the instinctive behavior of all animals for dominance, violence, and inpulsive actions manifested in mankind. Initially the idea of creating and living in an orderly society with set rules and jobs seemed like the most logical and agreeable […]

Lord of the Flies Killing the Sow

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Lord of the Flies and the Significance of World War II

Lord of the Flies by William Goulding is the book I have decided to choose for my 3rd quarter essay. It was a book that fascinated me when I read it and is debatably my favorite book that we have learned in school up to this point. To begin, it touches on so many different themes about human nature and society: the struggle for power, the importance of laws and rules, mental health, and how the only monsters on this […]

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The book”Lord of the Flies” written by William Golding shows and showcases the true nature of all living life. In the beginning of the story, As in a world which is during war, a crash has taken these first innocent children and or pre-teens through the empty depths of a unknown island. In the story, a quote to support this claim is “When we was coming down I looked through one of the windows. I saw the other part of […]

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Essays on “Lord of the Flies” The world of literature is nowadays full of interesting works that mesmerize the readers with the beauty of the message that they are intended to convey to the readers. However, it should be acknowledged that they do not do novels as they used to do in the middle of the 20th century any longer; it should be acknowledged that there will never be another William Golding. Lord of the Flies is, probably, one of the most iconic novels of the 21st century because it tells the people one of their greatest sins, the utmost desire for governing the others and, what is more, being governed themselves. When an average student is tasked with the tall order of writing an essay on Lord of the Flies, it is quite common that he or she gets lost in the myriad of topics that can be used in order to write about this splendid novel. Still, if you are a student yourself and you find it difficult to write, for example, a persuasive essay or a research paper on Lord of the Flies, you can check our website and have a look at the copious examples of essays about this novel. Each and every essay that we have and offer follows a properly devised outline in order to cover all the points of the assignment that we have to deal with. Regardless of whether it is a literary analysis or an argumentative essay, we have everything ready and waiting for you. Writing about a group of boys who are enclosed on an uninhabited island and are vigorously trying to embark on efficient self-governance may not be as easy as it seems to be at first sight. Sometimes, it is quite probable to state that Golding himself found it hard to write about this topic. So, there is no wonder that a student may need help in order to deal with such a task.

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Lord of the Flies

By william golding, lord of the flies study guide.

Sir William Golding composed Lord of the Flies shortly after the end of WWII. At the time of the novel's composition, Golding, who had published an anthology of poetry nearly two decades earlier, had been working for a number of years as a teacher and training as a scientist. Golding drew extensively on his scientific background for his first narrative work. The novel's plot, in which a group of English boys stranded on a deserted island struggle to develop their own society, is a social and political thought-experiment using fiction. The story of their attempts at civilization and devolution into savagery and violence puts the relationship between human nature and society under a literary microscope. Golding's allusions to human evolution also reflect his scientific training. The characters discover fire, craft tools, and form political and social systems in a process that recalls theories of the development of early man, a topic of much interest among many peoples including the mid-century Western public. The culmination of the plot in war and murder suggests that Golding's overarching hypothesis about humanity is pessimistic, that is, there are anarchic and brutal instincts in human nature. Ordered democracy or some other regime is necessary to contain these instincts.

As an allegory about human nature and society, Lord of the Flies draws upon Judeo-Christian mythology to elaborate on the novel's sociological and political hypothesis. The title has two meanings, both charged with religious significance. The first is a reference to a line from King Lear , "As flies to wanton boys, are we to gods." The second is a reference to the Hebrew name Ba'alzevuv, or in its Greek form Beelzebub, which translates to "God of the Flies" and is synonymous with Satan. For Golding however, the satanic forces that compel the shocking events on the island come from within the human psyche rather than from an external, supernatural realm as they do in Judeo-Christian mythology. Golding thus employs a religious reference to illustrate a Freudian concept: the Id, the amoral instinct that governs the individual's sense of sheer survival, is by nature evil in its amoral pursuit of its own goals. The Lord of the Flies, that is, the pig's head on a stick, directly challenges the most spiritually motivated character on the island, Simon , who functions as a prophet-martyr for the other boys.

Published in 1954 early in the Cold War, Lord of the Flies is firmly rooted in the sociopolitical concerns of its era. The novel alludes to the Cold War conflict between liberal democracy and totalitarian communism. Ralph represents the liberal tradition, while Jack, before he succumbs to total anarchy, represents the kind of military dictatorship that, for mid-century America and Great Britain, characterized the communist system. It is also notable that Golding sets the novel in what appears to be a future human reality, one that is in crisis after atomic war. Golding's novel capitalizes on public paranoia surrounding the atom bomb which, due to the arms race of the Cold War, was at a high. Golding's negative depiction of Jack, who represents an anti-democratic political system, and his suggestion of the reality of atomic war, present the novel as a gesture of support for the Western position in the Cold War.

In addition to science, mythology, and the sociopolitical context of the Cold War, Lord of the Flies was heavily influenced by previous works of speculative fiction. In particular, Golding's novel alludes to R. M. Ballantyne's 1857 The Coral Island , which tells the story of three boys stranded on a desert island. Golding, who found Ballantyne's interpretation of the situation naive and improbable, likely intended Lord of the Flies to be an indirect critique of The Coral Island . Golding preserves the names of two of Ballantyne's characters, Ralph and Jack, to force the two texts into deeper comparison. While the boys of Coral Island spend their time having pleasant adventures, Golding's characters battle hunger, loneliness, and the deadly consequences of political conflict after they are deserted. The pessimistic character of Golding's story reflects the author's emphasis on the necessity of democratic civilization. Critics also have noted the relationship between Lord of the Flies and Joseph Conrad's canonical 1902 Heart of Darkness , which follows a soldier's excursion into marginal African civilizations. Reflecting some biases, Heart of Darkness depicts these parts of Africa as places where social order is absent and anarchy rules, breeding death and disorder; the novel sees the same problem as an issue within the individual human soul. Like Conrad's work, Golding's novel emphasizes the brutal and violent human impulses that arise in the absence of political order.

Lord of the Flies, with its dystopian and speculative characteristics, established Golding as a solid author with an interest in the science-fiction literary genre that was popular in the 1950s. The novel depicts ostensibly realistic characters, but the plot, which follows a small group of humans isolated within an alien landscape, employs or alludes to the conventions of popular science fiction novels of the time. Golding's subsequent works saw him moving even further into the science fiction genre. The Inheritors , heavily influenced by H. G. Wells's Outline of History , imagines life during the dawn of man and is considered a modern classic of speculative fiction.

Lord of the Flies was not an instant success, selling fewer than 3,000 copies before going out of print in 1955. Shortly thereafter, however, the novel became a bestseller among American and British readers who, as the arms race intensified, likely saw in Golding's wartime dystopia a grim prediction of their own future. By the 1960s the novel was required reading for many high school and college courses, where it has remained to the present day. The enduring popularity of the novel inspired two film adaptations, one by Peter Brook in 1963, and the second by Harry Hook in 1990. Golding's original novel, however, remains the best-known version of the tale. In 2005, Time Magazine named the novel one of the 100 best English-language novels since 1923.

A continuing controversy surrounding the political message of the novel and its view of human nature has led some readers to challenge its status as a book suitable for children. The American Library Association thus positioned Lord of the Flies at number 70 on its list of the 100 most challenged books of 1990-2000. Among literary critics of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, however, Lord of the Flies has been revisited less as an allegory of human evil than as a literary expression of Cold War ideology. This historicizing does not do justice to the novel. But in terms of reception history, contemporary critics are right to note that the novel's position at the center of many English curricula across America and Great Britain during the Cold War illustrates how the pedagogy of literature has been used to bolster national identity and ideology.

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.

Who turned out to be the "creature"?

The dead pilot turned out to be the creature. Ironically the boys also thought that Simon was the creature before they killed him.

What new substance does Jack use to facilitate his hunting?

Jack uses a spear to hunt the pig. He also puts barbs on the end so they stick into the flesh.

how did william goldings life influence his writing

Golding's experiences working with unruly boys as a teacher and his time as a combatant in WWII, inspired Lord of the Flies. He saw much combat in the war and this novel is a reflection on Golding's views on the human condition. He believed evil...

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

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Author: William Golding Book title: Lord of the Flies Date of the first publication: 1954 Genre: allegorical novel

‘Lord of the Flies’ is a classic piece of literature, full of symbolism and moral dilemmas that are still relevant today. The book follows a group of young boys stranded on an island and their attempts to survive and govern themselves. Through the characters and their behaviors, author William Golding paints a picture of humanity in its rawest form, showing that without structure or rules, even young children are capable of great brutality.

Civilization is just a veneer hiding the vile and repulsive nature of humanity. In the wilderness, there’s no space left for cultivated manners or moral principles.

According to most critics, these are the postulates that form the main message of ‘Lord of the Flies,’ the magnum opus of William Golding. As a far-reaching social critique, this powerful literary work still reverberates in today’s society, inspiring scholars to come up with compelling ‘Lord of the Flies’ essay topics and make their valuable contribution in the exploration of one of the most refined and sophisticated novels of the 20th century. Keeping up with the literary tendencies of today, our experts have joined the trend and crafted their own unique paper topics on this timeless novel!

‘Lord of the Flies’ Essay Topic Ideas

• How Ralph’s character develops throughout the novel.
• Ralph, Simon, Jack, and Piggy: what allegories each of the characters represents.
• The symbols in the novel ‘Lord of the Flies’ and how they help convey its main message.
• The concept of evil in the novel ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• Good versus evil in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• ‘Lord of the Flies’ as the medium for demonstrating the vices of contemporary society.
• The significance of the imagery of the novel’s imagery.
• The symbolism of the Beast in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The imagery used to illustrate the severe social flaws in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• ‘Lord of the Flies’: the internal and external conflicts.
• The main characters of ‘Lord of the Flies’: why their innocence was lost.
• The breakdown of integrity and dignity in the novel.
• William Golding’s perspective of viewing humanity at large mirrored in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The mechanism by which the Beast affects the main characters.
• The pessimistic approach to evaluating society in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• ‘Lord of the Flies’ as an anthem to the doomed generation.
• The concept of eating in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• Dazzled by fear: how the state of fright affects the characters of the novel.
• ‘Lord of the Flies’ as the metaphoric criticism of society.
• The theme of hatred in ‘Lord of the Flies.’

‘Lord of the Flies’ Research Paper Topics

• Power as one of the major themes in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The clash of savagery and civilization in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• ‘Lord of the Flies’: Jack and Ralph as the embodiment of two severely contrasting moral ideologies.
• Analyzing the characters of ‘Lord of the Flies’ through the studies of Sigmund Freud.
• The themes of order and chaos represented in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The confrontation between an exposed individual and the imposing community in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The overarching motive of destructive human impulse in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• Comparing the theme of unbridled hatred in ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding and ‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare.
• Polarization of isolation in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• ‘Lord of the Flies’: Piggy, Jack, and Ralph as the respective embodiment of Freud’s Id, Ego, and Super Ego.
• The rich blend of major literary genres in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The demolishing anarchy in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The Beast as the sharp metaphor for human violence and evil in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• Atrocious permissiveness vs. uncorrupted virtue in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The representation of Nietzsche’s nihilistic philosophy of man in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The problems connected with coming of age in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The theme of obligation in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The psychological approach to analyzing the characters of ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The characters in ‘Lord of the Flies’ through the behaviorist theory.
• ‘Lord of the Flies’: civilization is savagery in disguise.

Topics about Themes in ‘Lord of the Flies’

One of the greatest approaches to find a topic for an essay about ‘Lord of the Flies’ is to explore the novel’s primary ideas. In the following list we have gathered topics connected to main themes that you can approach from various angles.

• The ways in which the characters’ actions and choices illustrate the theme of struggle between civilization and savagery in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The role of fear in the breakdown of societal order in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The corrupting influence of power in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The loss of innocence and descent into darkness in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• How does Golding use the conch shell as a symbol of civilization, order, and power in ‘Lord of the Flies’?
• The role of violence and aggression in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• Exploring the concept of the innate inclination towards evil in humans as portrayed in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The importance of social norms and institutions in maintaining order in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The conflict between reason and instinct in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• Investigation of the theme of leadership and traits of a successful leader in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The exploration of morality and ethics in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The symbolic significance of the island in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The theme of the loss of identity and individuality in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The theme of power struggle between Ralph and Jack. How does each character use different tactics to gain and maintain control over the group? What does this say about the nature of power and authority?
• The ways in which the parachute man represents the adult world that the boys have left behind, and how the boys’ attitudes towards him reflect their changing perceptions of authority.
• Compare and contrast the portrayal of human nature in ‘Lord of the Flies’ with other literary works that explore the theme of the inherent evil in mankind, such as Heart of Darkness or The Picture of Dorian Gray.
• The significance of the ending of Lord of the Flies and how it reinforces or challenges Golding’s main themes.

Character Analysis Essay Topics

Analyzing one or more characters is another excellent option for any literary essay. The characters in William Golding’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ are diverse, with distinct personalities and motivations. You can approach this by analyzing how one or more of the characters interact with each other and how their development shapes the story. To get more ideas, check the list below.

• The roles of Piggy and Roger in relation to the leaders. How do they contribute to the dynamic between Ralph and Jack? In what ways do they challenge or support their respective leaders?
• Analyzing the significance of Piggy’s role in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The evolution of Jack in ‘Lord of the Flies’: From schoolboy to savagery.
• Simon: A symbolic figure of purity in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• Roger as a symbol of evil in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The Conch: A symbol of democracy in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The importance of Samneric in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• Analyzing the character of the naval officer in The ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The significance of the Littleuns in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The representation of women in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The role of adults in ‘Lord of the Flies’: A comparison of the boys and the naval officer.
• ‘Lord of the Flies’ as a World War II allegory: An analysis of the characters’ roles.
• The importance of Ralph’s leadership style in ‘Lord of the Flies.’

Watch ‘Lord of the Flies’ Character Analysis Video

Literature Analysis Topics

If you need to analyze ‘Lord of the Flies,’ you can find the connections between symbols, characters, and themes. Also, you can analyze literary elements or evaluate the writer’s ideas.

• An analysis of the symbolic elements in ‘Lord of the Flies’ and their significance to the plot and themes of the novel.
• The role of fear in the boys’ behavior and its significance in the novel.
• The theme of power and its effects on the characters in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The use of foreshadowing in ‘Lord of the Flies’ and how it contributes to the story.
• The role of society and civilization in ‘Lord of the Flies’ and how it relates to the characters’ behavior.
• How does the title of the novel ‘Lord of the Flies’ connect with and reflect the themes explored in the story?
• The portrayal of innocence in ‘Lord of the Flies’ and how it is lost over the course of the story.
• The use of irony in ‘Lord of the Flies’ and how it adds to the overall meaning of the story.
• The theme of savagery and its portrayal in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The role of leadership and its effects on the boys’ behavior in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The use of setting in ‘Lord of the Flies’ and how it contributes to the story.
• The theme of human nature and its portrayal in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The role of the adult world and its absence in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The theme of isolation and its impact on the characters in ‘Lord of the Flies.’
• The use of allegory in ‘Lord of the Flies’ and its significance to the story.
• In what ways do the stereotypes used in ‘Lord of the Flies’ contribute to the novel’s overall message about human nature?
• How does Golding’s use of vivid language and striking imagery create a sense of realism in ‘Lord of the Flies’? How does it affect the reader’s understanding of the story?
• The symbolism of the conch, the fire on the mountaintop, and Piggy’s glasses. How do these objects represent different aspects of the boys’ society and their individual struggles?
• The role of societal norms and institutions in ‘Lord of the Flies’ and how they interact with the idea that evil is an inborn trait of mankind.

More Sources for Topics Ideas about ‘Lord of the Flies’

Watch a summary of the ‘Lord of the Flies’ from SparkNotes. Maybe you skipped something while reading.

A short video about the reasons why you should read ‘Lord of the Flies’ created by Ted-Ed.

Watch the full movie ‘Lord of the Flies’ to compare the film adaptation and the original novel. Has the director missed something? Has it influenced the overall perception of the book’s idea?

You can watch and connect the show series with ‘Lord of the Flies.’ Kid Nation was a television show that aired in 2007. A group of 40 children between the ages of 8 and 15 ventured out into a western ghost town to build their own civilization without any adult supervision.

Read an article about the symbolic significance of the characters from ‘Lord of the Flies.’ https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1082261.pdf

In a Nutshell

Witnessing the far-off heyday of the baby boom generation, ‘Lord of the Flies’ still startles the reader with its abominable scenery and its cutting truthfulness. No, there hasn’t been reported a case so far of well-bred boys turning on each other on some derelict island – the truthfulness of the novel instead lies in the distressing fact that the characters’ wicked mentality can also develop in moral, righteous individuals once they’re deprived of their comfort zone and locked in the abode of “the Beast.” And this is what makes the novel so close to real life.

‘Lord of the Flies’ won’t stop attracting both seasoned scholars and aspiring students to explore its mysterious and life-inspired world. With its complex philosophy and challenging themes, this novel has become a unique discovery for academics. Having good ‘Lord of the Flies’ essay topics at hand is what can help students take the first steps towards bringing their academic research to fruition!

How We Can Help You With Your ‘Lord of the Flies’ Essay

No matter how complex your college task is, you can always request, write my essay , at our service!  Whether you need help choosing a topic or writing a whole essay on Golding’s ‘Lord of the Flies,’ our writers are here to help. They have a tremendous amount of experience writing literary analyses, book reviews, and essays on a wide variety of books.

Our writers deeply understand the characters, plot, and themes Golding explored in his book. They will provide in-depth analysis and interpretation of the text, including thoroughly exploring the characters, setting, and themes. If you are having trouble writing an essay about ‘Lord of the Flies,’ don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts.

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Essays on Lord of The Flies

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Exploring Human Nature: a Study of "Lord of The Flies"

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Depiction of Humans as Inherently Evil in The Lord of The Flies

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The Ralph's Leadership in The Lord of The Flies by William Golding

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The Complexity of The Littluns in Lord of The Flies

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17 September 1954, William Golding

Allegorical novel

Ralph, Piggy, Jack, Simon, twins Sam and Eric

William Golding wrote "Lord of the Flies" as a response and counterpoint to R.M. Ballantyne's youth novel "The Coral Island" published in 1857. While Ballantyne's novel presented a romanticized portrayal of young boys stranded on an uninhabited island, depicting them as cooperative and civilized, Golding sought to challenge this idealistic view. Golding was dissatisfied with the notion that children, when left to their own devices, would naturally form a harmonious and idyllic society. He believed that human nature was inherently flawed and prone to darkness and savagery, even in the absence of adult supervision. "Lord of the Flies" served as a critique of the optimistic perspective presented in "The Coral Island," aiming to explore the potential for moral degradation and the loss of innocence in a primal environment.

Innocence, Friendship, Childhood, Fear, Anger, Allegories.

The story follows a group of British boys who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes during a wartime evacuation. Without any adult supervision, the boys must establish their own society and survive until rescue arrives. Initially, the boys attempt to create order and maintain a sense of civilization by electing a leader, Ralph, and establishing rules. However, as time passes, the inherent savagery within some of the boys begins to emerge. Jack, the antagonist, gradually rebels against Ralph's leadership and forms his own tribe, indulging in hunting and violence. The conflict between Ralph and Jack symbolizes the battle between order and chaos, reason and instinct. As the boys succumb to their primal instincts, they gradually lose their sense of morality and descent into brutality. The novel explores themes of power, the loss of innocence, and the darkness that resides within all individuals. Ultimately, the arrival of a naval officer interrupts the boys' descent into savagery, revealing the horrors they have unleashed upon themselves.

"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is set on a deserted tropical island in the midst of an unspecified global war. The location remains undisclosed, allowing the focus to be on the boys' struggle for survival rather than the specific geopolitical context. The island itself is described as a paradise, with its lush vegetation, beautiful beaches, and abundant resources. The island serves as an isolated microcosm where the boys' behavior unfolds without the influence of adult society. It becomes a blank canvas upon which the boys project their own fears, desires, and conflicts. The absence of adults and external authority creates a vacuum that allows the boys to establish their own social order and rules.

Symbolism (the conch shell, the signal fire, the beast, etc.), allegory (the boys' descent into savagery and the struggle for power), foreshadowing (the appearance of the sow's head), irony, imagery.

"Lord of the Flies" has had a significant influence on literature and popular culture since its publication. The novel's exploration of the darkness within human nature and its commentary on the fragility of civilization continue to resonate with readers worldwide. One notable influence of "Lord of the Flies" is its impact on dystopian and post-apocalyptic literature. The story's portrayal of a society descending into chaos and the exploration of power dynamics have influenced numerous works in this genre, such as Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale." The novel has also had a profound influence on the study of human behavior and psychology. It raises important questions about the nature of evil, the role of society in shaping individuals, and the impact of isolation on human relationships. These themes have sparked discussions and academic analyses across disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and philosophy. Furthermore, "Lord of the Flies" has become a cultural touchstone, frequently referenced in various forms of media, including films, television shows, and music. Its enduring popularity and ability to provoke introspection and critical thinking contribute to its ongoing influence in contemporary society.

One notable adaptation of "Lord of the Flies" is the 1963 film directed by Peter Brook, which brought the story to life on the big screen. The film received critical acclaim for its raw portrayal of the boys' descent into savagery and its faithful adaptation of the novel's themes. The novel has also inspired theatrical productions, with stage adaptations being performed in different parts of the world. These adaptations provide a unique opportunity to experience the story in a live setting, further emphasizing the intensity and psychological depth of the narrative. Furthermore, the influence of "Lord of the Flies" can be seen in popular culture references, such as television shows, music, and literature. Its impact has sparked discussions and inspired creative works that explore similar themes of civilization, power, and human nature.

1. William Golding expressed dissatisfaction with his own work, describing his novel as dull and unrefined, a sentiment he later expressed in interviews and private conversations. 2. The impact of "Lord of the Flies" extends globally, as the book has been translated into more than 30 languages, allowing readers from diverse cultures to engage with its themes and messages. 3. Before finding a publishing home, "Lord of the Flies" faced considerable rejection, with publishers rejecting the manuscript a staggering 21 times. This highlights the initial challenges Golding faced in getting his work recognized. 4. Esteemed author Stephen King has publicly expressed his admiration for "Lord of the Flies," identifying it as one of his favorite books. King's endorsement speaks to the lasting influence and appeal of Golding's work. 5. "Lord of the Flies" has served as a source of inspiration for a range of musicians across different genres, including rap and metal. Bands like Iron Maiden have drawn inspiration from the novel, incorporating its themes and imagery into their music. 6. "Lord of the Flies" holds a significant place among the most banned books in the United States. Its exploration of dark themes and depiction of violence has led to challenges and attempts to restrict its availability in educational settings.

“Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.” “The thing is - fear can't hurt you any more than a dream.” “Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us.” “What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?” “We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.”

The novel "Lord of the Flies" holds a significant place in literary discourse and continues to captivate readers across generations. Exploring timeless themes of human nature, morality, power, and civilization, it presents a compelling narrative that provokes introspection and critical analysis. Writing an essay about "Lord of the Flies" allows one to delve into the complexities of human behavior, the fragility of societal structures, and the potential for darkness within individuals. The novel's depiction of the descent into savagery and the loss of innocence offers a profound examination of the human condition. Moreover, "Lord of the Flies" serves as a cautionary tale, urging readers to reflect on the consequences of unchecked power, societal breakdown, and the thin veneer of civilization. It prompts discussions on leadership, group dynamics, and the inherent conflicts that arise in challenging circumstances. By exploring the multifaceted layers of the story, an essay on "Lord of the Flies" allows students to sharpen their critical thinking skills, analyze complex themes, and engage in meaningful conversations about the darker aspects of human nature and society. It remains a relevant and thought-provoking piece of literature that invites examination and interpretation from various perspectives.

1. Bhalla, R., & Kowalski, C. (2017). What Lord of the Flies teaches us about primitive defence mechanisms and societal discontent. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/what-lord-of-the-flies-teaches-us-about-primitive-defence-mechanisms-and-societal-discontent/348B50D2158ABAC55B3E94B2DB6F20BA The British Journal of Psychiatry, 210(3), 189-189. 2. Tippetts, C. S. (1926). The End of the Par Collection Litigation. The American Economic Review, 16(4), 610–621. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/2) 3. Alnajm, A. L. (2015). The main themes in Lord of the Flies. International Journal of English and Literature, 6(6), 98-102. (https://academicjournals.org/journal/IJEL/article-full-text/011E73A53478) 4. Gilfillan, James (1963) "Review: "Lord of the Flies"," Calliope (1954-2001): Vol. 10 , Article 25. (https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/calliope/vol10/iss1/25) 5. Arnold Kruger (1999) Golding's Lord of the Flies, The Explicator, 57:3, 167-169. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00144949909596859?journalCode=vexp20) 6. Chougule, R. B., & Hanash, M. M. SCARCE LIFE BETWEEN LEADERSHIP AND NATURE OF SAVAGERY IN WILLIAM GOLDING'S LORD OF THE FLIES. (https://www.literaryendeavour.org/files/9x6upa7d5i55pltczctm/2020-01%2007%20SCARCE%20LIFE%20BETWEEN%20LEADERSHIP%20AND%20NATURE%20OF%20SAVAGERY%20IN%20WILLIAM%20GOLDING%E2%80%99S%20LORD%20OF%20THE%20FLIES%20%20-%20Dr.%20R.%20B.%20Chougule%20&%20Manee%20M.%20Hanash.pdf) 7. Kabra, S. (2021). Lord of the Flies: International Intellectual Property Laws. UC Davis J. Int'l L. & Pol'y, 28, 1. (https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/ucdl28&div=4&id=&page=) 8. Burgess, J. (1963). Lord of the Flies by Peter Brook, Lewis Allen, Dana Hodgdon. (https://online.ucpress.edu/fq/article-abstract/17/2/31/38032/Review-Lord-of-the-Flies-by-Peter-Brook-Lewis)

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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, 💯 free lord of the flies essay prompts generator.

• 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.
• “Lord of Flies” by William Golding The reader will wonder that all the boys respond in the same manner to the sound of the blown shell. The author uses aesthetics to drive emotions out of the reader about the value of […]
• Literature Studies: “Lord of the Flies” by W. Golding Although Jack Merridew, one of the lead characters of William Golding’s shockingly unforgettable Lord of the Flies novel, is a child and still has a lot to learn in terms of how society works, the […]
• Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies” by Golding Considering this, the present paper will analyze the validity of the given statement by drawing on the experiences of characters in Lord of the Flies and evaluating the conditions in which they lived.
• Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding In The Lord of the Flies, the fire in the story is lit as a symbol of hope and rescue. The island in The Lord Of The Flies resembled the perfect type of Utopia at […]
• Lord of the Flies, an Allegorical Novel by William Golding As the auction proceeds, the reader follows the heartbreaking events of the book. Boys hunt down a pig and place its head on a stick as an ‘offering’ to the ‘beast’.
• Evil in “The Lord of the Flies” by William Golding The idea is that we are born with both the capacity of good and the capacity of evil and that the way we are raised, or the environment in which we live determines how we […]
• Lord of the Flies: Novel Analysis The sinister nature of the novel is inferred in the title which derives from the Hebrew word, Ba’al-zvuv which means god of the fly, host of the fly or literally the Lord of Flies a […]
• Writing on the Novel I Love: Lord of the Flies In a given Lord of the Flies essay, one needs to illustrate the different themes used by Golding in his novel.
• How Children Are Treated in the Story of Lord of the Flies
• Fear of the Unknown in Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• A Comprehensive Analysis of the Key Elements of Lord of the Flies, a Novel by William Golding
• How Does Golding Present Simon in Lord of the Flies-What Is His Role
• Literary Comparison of Ballantyne’s Coral Island and Golding’s Lord of The Flies Island
• Jack as a Symbol of Savagery and Anarchy in Lord of the Flies, a Novel by William Golding
• Evil in Humanity in Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Human Beings Are Evil: Golding’s Lord Of The Flies
• An Allegory of Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis Theory in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
• A Literary Analysis of the Symbolism in Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• A Description of the Potential For Evil in Everyone as One of the Theme in the Novel, Lord of the Flies By William Golding
• A Comparison Between the Movie and Novel The Lord of the Flies
• Abuse of Power and the Effect of Tyrannical Leadership Between Lord of the Flies and the Chrysalids
• A Comparison of Lord of the Flies by William Golding and A Separate Peace by John Knowles on Peer Pressure
• An Analysis of Different Symbols Used in Lord of the Flies, a Novel by William Golding
• Internal and External Conflicts in the Novel ”Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Importance of the Extract in the Development of the Main Themes in Lord of the Flies
• Destructiveness Of Jealousy Depicted In Lord Of The Flies And Woman Warrior
• A Demonstration of the Influence and Power of People Over One Another Through the Character of Piggy in the Novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• A Character of Piggy As the Character Who Most Deserved to Be Saved in the Novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Exploring Why William Golding Named His Novel The Lord of the Flies
• How Golding Presents The Decline From Civilisation To Savagery In Lord Of The Flies
• How the Conception of God Changed Throughout Lord of the Flies
• An Analysis of Human Behavior in All Quiet on the Western Front and Lord of the Flies
• How the Society Suppresses Evil in the Novel Lord of the Flies
• Inate Evil to Kill a Mocking Bird and Lord of the Flies
• A Look at Disturbing Events Highlighted in William Golding’s Book, Lord of the Flies
• Allegory of Social Dissolution Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• How Ralph is Shown as a Good Leader in the Novel Lord of the Flies
• An Analysis of Democratic and Authoritarian Power in Lord of the Flies, a Novel by William Golding
• Leaders and Leadership in Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Golding’s Pessimistic View on People and Society in His Book Lord of the Flies
• Analyzing the Themes of Innocence and Fear in William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies
• A Description of the Occurrence of Civilization in Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Importance of The Beast in Lord of The Flies by William Golding
• Golding’s Lord of the Flies: A Dream of a Deserted Island into Reality
• Good and Evil in Human Nature in Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Failure of Paradise in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
• Immorality Of Human Nature Depicted In Golding’s Lord Of The Flies
• How Does Golding Express His Ideas About Leadership in Lord of the Flies
• Formation of Rules and Perception of Civilisation in Lord of the Flies
• How Golding Presents the Decline From Civilisation to Savagery in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Does Piggy Symbolize in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Second World War Reflect on “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Ideas About Human Nature and Behavior Golding Was Trying to Express in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Does the Plane Crash Symbolize in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Present the Character of Jack in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Express His Ideas About Leadership in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Roger Change in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding?
• How the Society Suppresses Evil in the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Author Present Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Show Evil at Work in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Anybody Could Regress Into Savagery in Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Is the Author’s Characterisation and Language Attributed to the Novel of the “Lord of the Flies”?
• Why Did William Golding Name His Novel “The Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Present Death in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Setting Affect the Story “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Children Are Treated in the Story of “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Make the Physical World Seem Important in “Lord of the Flies”?
• “Lord of the Flies” and Jim Jones: Are Humans Innately Evil?
• How Many Boys Are in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Golding Creates Tension in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Opening Prepare the Reader for the Rest of the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Use the Setting to Develop the Main Theme of His Novel, “Lord of the Flies”?
• Why the Boys Were Doomed to Fail in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Influenced William Golding to Write “Lord of the Flies”?
• Ways That Golding Presents the Island in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Golding Uses Symbols in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Piggy’s Character Develop Through Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Ruined Ralph and Jack’s Friendship in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Create a Setting in the “Lord of the Flies”?
• Chicago (A-D)
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IvyPanda . 2023. "89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." August 27, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lord-of-the-flies-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." August 27, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lord-of-the-flies-essay-examples/.

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IvyPanda . "89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." August 27, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lord-of-the-flies-essay-examples/.

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10 Possible Questions On “Lord Of The Flies”

Table of Contents

Questions on “Lord of the Flies”

“Lord of the Flies” is a novel that contains allegory and has characters that concentrate on representing the novel’s themes and ideas .

Question 1: What is the main point of Golding?

The central point of Golding in the novel is that there is a conflict between impulse that is directed to civilization and changes in savagery within every human individual.

Question 2: Do the characters belong to a certain spectrum?

All of the main characters in the novel is a representation of an aspect in the spectrum between savagery and civilization.

Question 3: Are there symbols in the story?

The Lord of the Flies is an allegorical novel that uses symbolism through the characters in the story.

Question 4: How is the spectrum shown in the novel?

The spectrum can is shown through the characters of Ralph and Jack.

Question 5: Why are the characters of Ralph and Jack significant?

Ralph’s character demonstrates the civilization aspect as he works from the beginning to create an order between the boys and to create a strong society on the island. Piggy is someone who shows the scientific and intellectual aspects of modernization. Jack, who is at the other extreme end of the spectrum is someone who shows the side of savagery and the unsuspected desire of being powerful.

Question 6: What does the role of Roger represent?

Roger’s role represents violence and lust for blood in its cleanest form.

Question 7: It is mostly the boys who are being discussed in the novel and very few girls are mentioned in the novel, what is its impact in the novel?

The difference in gender is not entirely discussed in the novel, but femininity is presented symbolically through nature. There are male characters in the novel who are feminized by other boys in the story by being labeled as masculine or vulnerable. Part of the boys choir have high-pitched voices that females normally sing. It is not clear whether the tribe of Jack would become violent if girls with the same age were staying in the island.

Question 8: How does Jack utilize the beast to control other males in the story?

Jack establishes power by using the beast to control the boys because it is the enemy, common idol, and belief system. The beast has several aspects that depend on the impact he wants to arrive at.

Question 9: Is fear used by the beast in the novel?

He uses the fear of the boys to give reason to his power in manipulating the group and the violence he is trying to gain. The beast is setup as something to idolize in order to provoke the bloodlust of the boys and create a cult view of the hunt.

Question 10: What is the influence of their belief to the beast?

The belief of the boys in the beast gives a religious undertone for the various nightmares of the boys about the existence of monsters which take the form of a monster that they fear. By leaving the head of the sow in the forest to give offering to the beast, the tribe of Jack continue to believe the nightmare. The skull later on become a religious totem with a unique psychological power, which drives the boys to abandon their need for civilization.

These are the most important things to tackle in opinion of our academic essays writing service when writing an essay on questions about Lord of the Flies.