GCSE English Literature Revision — Lord of the Flies: Themes & Characters
Revise Lord of the Flies: Themes & Characters for GCSE English Literature with a topic explanation, worked example and common mistakes. Check the board notes for specification differences.
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What is Lord of the Flies: Themes & Characters?
William Golding's Lord of the Flies is an allegorical novel that explores the dark side of human nature through the story of a group of British schoolboys stranded on a desert island. The novel examines the conflict between civilization (represented by Ralph and Piggy) and savagery (represented by Jack and his hunters), suggesting that without the constraints of society, humans are inherently prone to violence and barbarism.
Board notes: AQA focuses on the novel as an allegory and its exploration of human nature. Edexcel encourages an exploration of its historical context, particularly the Cold War and fears of nuclear conflict. OCR places emphasis on the novel's symbolism and its use of setting to create a sense of isolation and fear.
Step-by-step explanationWorked examples
Worked example
To analyse the theme of the conflict between civilization and savagery, a student could trace the growing power of Jack at the expense of Ralph. Initially, the boys elect Ralph as their leader and respect the conch. However, as their fear of the 'beast' grows, they are drawn to Jack's primitive rituals and promise of protection, culminating in the brutal murder of Piggy and the destruction of the conch.
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Common mistakes
- 1Seeing the novel as a simple adventure story. It is a complex allegory with deep philosophical and psychological themes.
- 2Believing that the boys are inherently evil. Golding suggests that it is the absence of societal rules, rather than innate evil, that leads to their descent into savagery.
- 3Ignoring the symbolic significance of objects like the conch and Piggy's glasses. These objects represent order, reason, and the fragility of civilization.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the 'Lord of the Flies' symbolise?
The 'Lord of the Flies' is the severed pig's head that Jack's hunters leave as an offering to the beast. It symbolises the evil and savagery that exists within the boys themselves. The name is a literal translation of Beelzebub, a biblical name for the devil.
Why is Piggy killed?
Piggy's death is the climax of the novel's descent into savagery. He represents intellect, reason, and the rules of civilization. His murder by Roger signifies the complete triumph of primal instinct over rational thought on the island.