William Golding: Lord of the Flies
The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a novel in which the theme of savagery versus
civilisation is explored. Some British boys are stranded on an isolated island at the time of an
imaginary nuclear war. On the island we see conflict between two main characters, Jack and
Ralph, who respectively represent civilisation and savagery. This has an effect on the rest of the
boys throughout the novel as they delve further and further into savagery.
Key Themes
The need for civilisation/The Basic needs of society/ the rule of law
Innocence and the loss of it
Fear of the unknown
Blindness and Sight
Use and Abuse of Power
The Loss of Identity
The Problem of Evil in Man
Betrayal
Survival
Bullying
Justice and Injustice
Violence and Death
Leadership/ Dictatorship/ Tyranny
1. How does Golding present Simon as different from the other boys on the island? Write about:
• what Simon says and does that suggest he is different from the other boys
• how Golding presents him as different.
2. ‘The head is for the Beast. It’s a gift.’ How does Golding present the importance of the Beast to
different characters in Lord of the Flies? Write about:
, • the ways that some characters react to the Beast
• how Golding presents the importance of the Beast
Indicative content: Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid interpretations. Answers might,
however, include some of the following:
AO1
what happens in the novel which leads to the idea of the beast
the ways the boys behave towards the beast
how various characters see the beast as important in different ways
details about the head – its appearance, location etc
AO2
how Golding presents the beast as a symbol with various meanings
Golding’s presentation of the killing of the sow and its implications
how Golding links the beast towards aspects of the boys’ behaviour
how Golding presents the sow’s head when it seems to speak
AO3 links between the beast and ideas about evil
philosophical ideas about loss of Eden/fascism/Freudian psychology/various
ideas about Golding’s own war experience and its influence
contemporary relevance to debates about teenage behaviour
3. How far does Golding present Piggy as a character with useful and important ideas in Lord of
the Flies? Write about:
• what Piggy says and does that can be seen as useful and important
• how far Golding presents Piggy as a character with useful and important ideas.
4. In Chapter 8 of Lord of the Flies Ralph asks, ‘What makes things break up like they do?’ How
does Golding present the reasons why society on the island breaks up? Write about:
• what happens on the island
• how Golding presents the reasons why society on the island breaks up.
The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a novel in which the theme of savagery versus
civilisation is explored. Some British boys are stranded on an isolated island at the time of an
imaginary nuclear war. On the island we see conflict between two main characters, Jack and
Ralph, who respectively represent civilisation and savagery. This has an effect on the rest of the
boys throughout the novel as they delve further and further into savagery.
Key Themes
The need for civilisation/The Basic needs of society/ the rule of law
Innocence and the loss of it
Fear of the unknown
Blindness and Sight
Use and Abuse of Power
The Loss of Identity
The Problem of Evil in Man
Betrayal
Survival
Bullying
Justice and Injustice
Violence and Death
Leadership/ Dictatorship/ Tyranny
1. How does Golding present Simon as different from the other boys on the island? Write about:
• what Simon says and does that suggest he is different from the other boys
• how Golding presents him as different.
2. ‘The head is for the Beast. It’s a gift.’ How does Golding present the importance of the Beast to
different characters in Lord of the Flies? Write about:
, • the ways that some characters react to the Beast
• how Golding presents the importance of the Beast
Indicative content: Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid interpretations. Answers might,
however, include some of the following:
AO1
what happens in the novel which leads to the idea of the beast
the ways the boys behave towards the beast
how various characters see the beast as important in different ways
details about the head – its appearance, location etc
AO2
how Golding presents the beast as a symbol with various meanings
Golding’s presentation of the killing of the sow and its implications
how Golding links the beast towards aspects of the boys’ behaviour
how Golding presents the sow’s head when it seems to speak
AO3 links between the beast and ideas about evil
philosophical ideas about loss of Eden/fascism/Freudian psychology/various
ideas about Golding’s own war experience and its influence
contemporary relevance to debates about teenage behaviour
3. How far does Golding present Piggy as a character with useful and important ideas in Lord of
the Flies? Write about:
• what Piggy says and does that can be seen as useful and important
• how far Golding presents Piggy as a character with useful and important ideas.
4. In Chapter 8 of Lord of the Flies Ralph asks, ‘What makes things break up like they do?’ How
does Golding present the reasons why society on the island breaks up? Write about:
• what happens on the island
• how Golding presents the reasons why society on the island breaks up.
