Lord of the flies: Context (See right hand side for graphics)

A books' context is just as important as the storyline itself as this is the source which is able to thoroughly explain the book and the storyline. The danger of the island is not seen at the beginning but instead all the stranded boys are more concerned about going home, this gradually changes as they are stolen into the depths of savagery.

A good quote that thoroughly shows the 'home base' or pink platforms' context can be found on page 17, "Here the beach was interrupted abruptly by the square motif of the landscape; a great platform of pink granite thrust up uncompromisingly through forest and terrace and sand and lagoon to make a raised jetty 4 feet high." Because of this quote, whenever the platform is mentioned the reader knows what it is.

The context of the masks is quite important as they are the representation of the evil held within the island. These masks make the wearer think that they are invincible and they are hidden from justice. " A rounded patch of sunlight fell on his face and a brightness appeared in the depths of the water. He looked in astonishment, no longer at himself but an awesome stranger. He spilt the water and leapt to his feet, laughing excitedly..........He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarl."

The context in which this novel is set is very grim, and represents a danger lurking within everyone in this "society." The book is also set in a very olden time, during the time of the second world war, and so represents the horror of people turning into monsters, turning against each other.

The idea of Jack controlling his minions is the idea of Hitler and his henchmen. The idea of Simon and how he fought to tell everyone the truth is a biblical allusion to Jesus Christ and how he died trying to tell the truth. The idea of Roger turning into "the Darkness" is also an allusion to Bible, as Roger represents Satan in this society," High overhead, Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all his weight on the lever.........The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee........His head opened and stuff came out and turned red." The entire Island represents the Garden Of Eden as there are rules, forbidden "fruits," and there are people who break the rules and get severely punished for it.

This entire book alludes to the atrocities of the time, and to the Bible, which makes it so interesting. This is why Golding was such an acclaimed author.

Lord of the flies: Character

This is a conversation between Utkarsh Sood and Saurabh Narain about one of the main characters in the novel: Lord of the Flies.

Utkarsh: Have you read the book Lord of the Flies?
Saurabh: Yes, it’s very interesting.
Utkarsh: Do you like Jack?
Saurabh: No, I think that he's a really stuck up person.
Utkarsh: I think he's a character that shows various changes in the novel.
Saurabh: Yes, like the conversation between him and Ralph in chapter three, where they talk about shelter and meat, ' "And I work all day with Simon and you come back and don't even notice the huts!" "I was working too--" "But you like it!".'
Utkarsh: And also when the choirboys go on the hunt, they wear masks. Jack wears the mask and, to him, it’s an item that takes away all consequence for him and lets him kill in cold blood.
Saurabh: Yes, I know! It says in the book, ' "He looked in astonishment, not at himself, but at a stranger. He started to dance, but soon his chants became blood-thirsty snarls”.’
Utkarsh: Wow, I completely forgot about that quote, it’s amazing how much detail Golding describes the characters.
Saurabh: Yes, and also, it's implied that Jack still knows that what he does is wrong, and he looks at himself at a "distance” almost.
Utkarsh: Yes, because of his civilised upbringing, he knows that he shouldn't be doing what he's doing, and this repeats throughout the whole novel, like when Piggy goes into "Castle Rock," Jack and the rest throw little stones at him which really, have no effect. Finally, it's Roger, "the darkness," who kills Piggy with the large boulder he hurls at him.
Saurabh: A quote in the novel: "The Chief led them, trotting steadily, exulting in his achievement. He was chief now in truth; and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy's broken glasses." What do you think this means?
Utkarsh: Well, in my opinion, this quote means that Jack has overtaken Ralph in the leadership sense, and when the author says, "exulting in his achievement," he could mean that Jack has wanted to do this the whole time, because of the start of the novel, where Ralph is elected as leader. When Golding mentions Piggy's broken glasses, he indicates a symbol. This is the symbol of Piggys broken glasses representing the death of society and civilization. All power from grown ups has been lost through the theft of Piggys glasses. Due to having bad eyesight, Piggy dies taking with him even the slightest chance of rules and accordingly survival.

Well, all in all, this book is very good, what with all the symbols and biblical allusions. Only a genius writer, like William Golding, could possibly write it.
Saurabh: Agreed.