Essay on Analysis of Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Analysis of Lord of the Flies by William Golding William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a sordid tale about a group of kids who are stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes. The story is set during the Atomic War and plenty of references are made to the fact. However, the real key to the story lies in the role of Beelzebub, Lord of the Flies. Beelzebub has a central role in the story as he represents the Beast, or evil, that dwells within all humans. The Beast cannot be hunted and since it dwells within all humans, humans are all guilty because mankind is sick. The destruction of mankind is a point that Golding makes apparent often in this novel. He establishes early on that Beelzebub is a force within all humans that†¦show more content†¦One by one the boys lose sanity. Beelzebub is slowly entering the boys, and through the use of Jack as a minister of evil, delivering the boys to insanity and corruption. (Gindin, 160) Golding however does offer mankind hope through the character of Simon. Simon is t he one character in the story that knew how to deal with Beelzebub. The day before Simon dies he learns that Beelzebub dwells within and cannot be hunted by humans. Simon finds that the evil Beelzebub represents is inside people and ineradicable. Simon is the only character in the novel to come to terms with the darkness and impending doom of the group’s situation. Simon looks darkness in the face and, with great courage, comes to terms with the ignoble nature of mankind. Beelzebub has blinded every other member of the group. Piggy, for instance, pins all blame on Jack. Piggy misses the point because Jack is only the minister for a greater evil. Jack is to blame only in the sense that he lives in all of us, that we are all guilty because mankind is sick. Still, Simon is the one exception to this general condemnation. Simon is the one spiritually sound person on the island. Simon is an epileptic and it is sickness that makes him a saint. Simon is not interested in leadership a nd prefers to keep to himself. Rather than involve himself in the promotion of the self, Simon concentrates on the nature of reality. He is one of the meek, of the poor in spirit, who are promised the kingdom of heaven, not theShow MoreRelatedWilliam Golding And Lord Of The Flies Analysis1031 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Golding fulfills Hobbes’ ideas about man with Lord of the Flies in the moments when Jack and Ralph argue over whether to hunt for meat or build shelters, when Simon is killed by the boys, and when Samneric betray Ralph and join Jack’s tribe. An early example in the novel where Golding supports Hobbes’ ideas about man is when Jack and Ralph argue over whether to hunt for meat or build shelters. 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The sow’s head on the other hand representsRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1389 Words   |  6 PagesA response to Lord Of The Flies Imagine an airplane crash. The heat of flames scorch passengers’ backs in addition to the wind burning their faces. Lucky, this crash was over water and near an island so most passengers survive, with an exception of the airplane staff and the pilot. Even though alive, many are in fits of fear and panic, and others are in shock. After hurried deliberation, a lone member of the group is elected leader in hopes that they will calm the panic, and make the hard, but necessaryRead MoreSocietal Breakdown On The Island1720 Words   |  7 PagesSocietal breakdown on the island in ‘Lord of the Flies’ is due to the inherent evil of man 3.8: Develop an informed understanding of literature and/or language using critical texts. Hypothesis: Societal breakdown on the island is due to the inherent evil of man Jason Carvalho ‘Lord of the Flies’ is the name of William Golding’s historically famous novel, yet it is more than just a title. It is a kind of statement, a way of mocking the very existences of humanity. Reading this book I cameRead MoreLord of the Flies Nature of Man1726 Words   |  7 PagesLord of the Flies: The Nature of Man William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a gritty allegory of adolescence, innocence, and the unspoken side of human nature. Countless social issues are portrayed, however one of the most reoccurring is the nature of man. Throughout the novel there is an ever-present focus on the loss of innocence amongst the boys, shown by the deterioration of social skills and their retrogression into a barbaric form of society. Also portrayed is the juxtaposition of a cruel