Module 7: Survival

William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a dark novel about prep-school boys (ages twelve-sixteen), whose plane is shot down over the Pacific during what is presumed to be World War II. Without the influence of adults, the boys struggle to make decisions. Fear also becomes a major factor as the boys think a beast is present with them on the island. The biggest conflict the boys face is whether to stay civilized or allow their savage nature to take over. This creates two alliances, or tribes, on the island. Just as you feel the tension between the two tribes could not get any worse, the boys are rescued by a passing ship and taken back to civilization.

During your study of Lord of the Flies, you learned a lot about Golding’s views on human nature.  You learned about how different characters can handle different situations and about what happens to people when they lose their morals and sense of what is right and wrong.  You also learned the many ways by which an author can achieve his purpose:  direct and indirect characterization, theme development, irony, and cause and effect relationships.  In analyzing the development of theme, you also were encouraged to think about how those themes are present in other literature as well as whether or not those themes can be seen in your own life. You also reflected upon whether or not you agreed with Golding’s views. After reading this novel, you must ask yourself, what would you you do if you were influenced by the Lord of the Flies?

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