William Golding, a former philosophy teacher turned Royal Navy lieutenant, wrote “Lord of the Flies” after witnessing the horrors of World War II. His experiences during the war and the tense atmosphere of the Cold War led him to question the nature of humanity. These reflections on human violence and morality inspired his first and most famous novel, “Lord of the Flies.”
Despite being rejected by 21 publishers, “Lord of the Flies” was finally published in 1954. The title refers to Beelzebub, a demon linked to pride and war, which are central themes in the book. The novel is a dark satire of the classic island adventure genre, where young boys are shipwrecked and must survive in exotic locations. These stories often carried colonialist undertones, portraying the boys as superior to the native inhabitants they encountered.
Golding’s novel takes inspiration from R.M. Ballantyne’s “Coral Island,” a popular adventure story. However, while Ballantyne’s book promised fun and excitement, Golding’s tale is much darker. “Lord of the Flies” begins with boys stranded on an island after their plane is shot down during a nuclear war. The boys, aged 6 to 13, are strangers except for a choir led by a boy named Jack.
At first, the island seems like a paradise, with fresh water, shelter, and food. But from the start, a sense of darkness looms. The boys’ shadows are described as “black, bat-like creatures,” and the choir appears as “something dark… fumbling along” the beach. Rumors of a terrifying “beastie” in the woods quickly spread among the boys.
Golding’s story shows how quickly cooperation falls apart without adult supervision. Initially, the boys try to establish order. Ralph, one of the boys, uses a conch shell to gather the group and assign tasks. However, as Jack challenges Ralph’s leadership, the group divides, and chaos ensues. The boys abandon their rescue plans, ignore reason, and follow Jack into madness.
“Lord of the Flies” explores universal themes of morality, civility, and society, making it a timeless literary classic. Unlike traditional adventure stories that support colonialism, Golding’s novel flips this idea. Instead of depicting native populations as savages, he shows how the seemingly innocent British schoolboys become savage themselves. As the boys struggle on the island, the war that brought them there continues in the background. Even if rescued, they would return to a world still at war.
With few references to specific times or places, “Lord of the Flies” feels timeless, offering a raw look at human nature. While not everyone agrees with Golding’s bleak perspective, the novel challenges readers to reflect on humanity’s darker sides. It’s a thought-provoking read that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who dares to explore its depths.
Research the historical events surrounding World War II and the Cold War. Create a presentation that explains how these events might have influenced William Golding’s writing of “Lord of the Flies.” Consider how the themes of war and human nature are reflected in the novel.
Choose a character from “Lord of the Flies” and prepare a defense or critique of their actions throughout the novel. Participate in a class debate where you argue whether the character’s actions were justified based on the circumstances they faced on the island.
Write an alternate ending to “Lord of the Flies” where the boys are rescued earlier. How would the story change if they were saved before descending into chaos? Share your ending with the class and discuss how it affects the overall message of the novel.
Create an art piece that represents one of the central themes of “Lord of the Flies,” such as the loss of innocence or the breakdown of civilization. Use any medium you prefer, such as drawing, painting, or digital art. Present your artwork and explain how it captures the theme.
Identify a modern event or situation that parallels the themes of “Lord of the Flies.” Write a short essay discussing the similarities and differences between the novel and the real-world example. Consider how Golding’s exploration of human nature is still relevant today.
William Golding was losing his faith in humanity. Serving aboard a British destroyer in World War II, the philosophy teacher turned Royal Navy lieutenant was constantly confronted by the atrocities of his fellow man. When he returned to England to find Cold War superpowers threatening one another with nuclear annihilation, he was forced to interrogate the very roots of human nature. These musings on the inevitability of violence would inspire his first and most famous novel: “Lord of the Flies.”
After being rejected by 21 publishers, the novel was finally published in 1954. It takes its title from Beelzebub, a demon associated with pride and war—two themes very much at the heart of Golding’s book. The novel was a bleak satire of a classic island adventure story, a popular genre where young boys get shipwrecked in exotic locations. The protagonists in these stories are able to master nature while evading the dangers posed by their new environments. The genre also endorsed the problematic colonialist narrative found in many British works at the time, in which the boys teach the island’s native inhabitants their allegedly superior values.
Golding’s satire even goes so far as to explicitly use the setting and character names from R.M. Ballantyne’s “Coral Island”—one of the most beloved island adventure novels. But while Ballantyne’s book promised readers “pleasure… profit… and unbounded amusement,” Golding’s had darker things in store. “Lord of the Flies” opens with the boys already on the island, but snippets of conversation hint at their terrifying journey—their plane had been shot down in the midst of an unspecified nuclear war. The boys, ranging in age from 6 to 13, are strangers to each other, all except for a choir, clad in black uniforms and led by a boy named Jack.
Just as in Ballantyne’s “Coral Island,” the boys’ new home appears to be a paradise—with fresh water, shelter, and abundant food sources. But even from the novel’s opening pages, a macabre darkness hangs over this seemingly tranquil situation. The boys’ shadows are compared to “black, bat-like creatures,” while the choir itself first appears as “something dark… fumbling along” the beach. Within hours of their arrival, the boys are already trading terrifying rumors of a vicious “beastie” lurking in the woods.
From these ominous beginnings, Golding’s narrative reveals how quickly cooperation unravels without the presence of adult authority. Initially, the survivors try to establish some sense of order. A boy named Ralph blows into a conch shell to assemble the group and delegate tasks. But as Jack vies for leadership with Ralph, the group splinters, and the boys submit to their darker urges. The mob of children soon forgets their plans for rescue, silences the few voices of reason, and blindly follows Jack to the edge of the island, and the edge of sanity.
The novel’s universal themes of morality, civility, and society have made it a literary classic, satirizing both conventions of its time and long-held beliefs about humanity. While island adventure stories often support colonialism, “Lord of the Flies” turns this trope on its head. Rather than cruelly casting native populations as stereotypical savages, Golding transforms his angelic British schoolboys into savage caricatures. As the boys fight their own battle on the island, the far more destructive war that brought them there continues off the page. Even if the boys were to be rescued from themselves, what kind of world would they be returning to?
With so few references to anchor the characters in a specific place or period, the novel feels truly timeless—an examination of human nature at its most bare. And though not all readers may agree with Golding’s grim view, “Lord of the Flies” is unsettling enough to challenge even the most determined optimist.
Humanity – The quality of being humane; benevolence and compassion towards others. – In literature, many protagonists struggle with their own humanity, often questioning their moral compass in the face of adversity.
Morality – Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. – Philosophical texts often explore the concept of morality, challenging readers to reflect on their own ethical beliefs.
Violence – The use of physical force to harm someone, to damage property, etc. – In dystopian novels, violence is frequently depicted as a tool of oppressive regimes to maintain control over society.
Chaos – Complete disorder and confusion. – The theme of chaos versus order is prevalent in Shakespeare’s tragedies, where characters’ actions lead to inevitable turmoil.
Order – A state in which everything is in its correct or appropriate place. – In philosophical discussions, the concept of order is often juxtaposed with chaos to explore the balance necessary for a harmonious society.
Society – The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community. – Many novels critique the structures of society, highlighting the disparities and injustices faced by marginalized groups.
Themes – The central topics or ideas explored in a literary work. – The themes of love and sacrifice are central to many classic works of literature, offering profound insights into the human condition.
Adventure – An unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity. – Adventure novels often depict the protagonist’s journey into the unknown, testing their courage and resilience.
Nature – The inherent qualities or characteristics of something, often referring to the physical world collectively. – Romantic poets frequently celebrated nature, finding inspiration and solace in its beauty and power.
Literature – Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. – Literature serves as a mirror to society, reflecting its values, struggles, and aspirations through the ages.
