Lord of the Flies, Chapters Ten, Eleven, and Twelve
Irony
Before reading the next chapters, it is important that you have an understanding of the three types of irony: dramatic, situational, and verbal. Although you have learned about irony while studying Oedipus The King/Oedipus Rex, you will review irony again so that you are able to easily apply your knowledge to the Lord of the Flies. In this interactivity, click on each of the tabs to learn more about the three different types of irony and how each is used. Click the player button to get started.
View a printable version of this interactivity.
Irony in Lord of the Flies
Can you think of examples of irony from Lord of the Flies? Take a moment to think about as many examples as you can. In the novel, you have already witnessed the following examples:
- When the boys' plane crashes and leaves them on a deserted island, it is an example of situational irony because that is not something anyone would expect to happen.
- Piggy's telling the others they are acting like children is verbal irony; the boys really are children and Piggy is the only one who acts with any adult-like thought or reason.
- The parachutist is a great example of dramatic irony. You learn that it is a parachutist who was killed and landed on the island, but the boys do not and cannot explain what they are seeing.
What is the purpose of using irony in this novel? Each of these examples of irony helps contribute to Golding’s purpose in writing Lord of the Flies. When an author choses to include irony in a piece of writing, there is a reason behind this choice. Look again at the three examples of irony above, and think about their purpose in Lord of the Flies.
- Having the boys on this island allows Golding to show the readers what can happen to a society without an effective leader or without any rules to govern them. Had he set the story anywhere else, it would have been more difficult to show this.
- Piggy serves as the voice of reason throughout the novel. Golding's using him to tell the others they are acting like children early in the novel serves to introduce Piggy’s function and symbolism in the story.
- Since the boys are unaware that the parachutist is not a beast, it adds to the suspense and sets the stage for the death of Simon. If anyone besides Simon had figured out what it really was, then events would have progressed in a different order.
Read Chapters Ten, Eleven, and Twelve of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. As you read through the end of the novel, take notes on any additional examples of each type of irony. Include in your notes what Golding’s purpose might have been for including each example you find.
The Boys were Rescued by a Passing Ship
Were you surprised by what you read? Did you expect that Piggy would die? Remember, Piggy acted as the voice of reason. Perhaps his death was a way to show that the boys had embraced savagery. Did you think that the boys would eventually get rescued or did you think they might all end up killing each other on the island? Did you find examples of the different types of irony as you read? When you finished the novel you probably wondered what it would be like to be stranded on an island. Who would you side with? Maybe your inner savagery would take over, or maybe you would act more civilized like Ralph. Either way, Author William Golding has created a novel that questions good, evil, civilization, and savagery.
Irony Review
It is time to test your knowledge about the use of irony in the novel. In this non-graded interactivity, read each of the events from Lord of the Flies and use the drop-down menu to select the type of irony represented in each event. Click SUBMIT to check your answers. Click the player button to get started.