Lord of the Flies

 

Bibliography

Golding, William. LORD OF THE FLIES. Afterword by Lois Lowry. Introduction by Stephen King. Contributions by E. M. Forster and Jennifer Buehler. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, Penguin Classics, 2016. ISBN: 9780143129400.

Plot Summary

LORD OF THE FLIES is a story about British schoolboys that are stranded on an island after a plane crash. Needing structure, the boys try to set rules, choose a leader, and work together to get rescued. However, the boys quickly become divided and struggle for control. This story shows how control and order can quickly fall apart when there is fear and survival.

Critical Analysis

LORD OF THE FLIES is a classic novel that showcases human nature, fear, and the struggle for power. Golding used the island to separate the boys from adults and society to provide a clean slate for the boys to create some type of government. This allows the progression to the turn of events to demonstrate how our society can quickly fall apart.

The strongest part detailing the power struggles was the difference between Jack and Ralph. Both wanting power but with two different focuses. It allows Golding to show how different types of leadership can affect a group.

This book is a clear classic literature novel because of the realistic portrayal of human nature. It allows you to think of the rights and wrongs, morals, and current leadership in any part of our lives. Even though it takes place on an island with a group of British schoolboys, the ideas still connect to real life. 

Review Excerpts

"Lord of the Flies is one of my favorite books. That was a big influence on me as a teenager, I still read it every couple of years." 

—Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games

"As exciting, relevant, and thought-provoking now as it was when Golding published it in 1954."

—Stephen King

Connections

This book would pair well as an introduction to classic literature. It would also pair well with units on survival, leadership, symbolism, or human nature. Students can compare Jack and Ralph's leadership and argue whose leadership style is more effective. For a more creative, hands-on unit, students can create their own survival society plan and figure out what would make their plan most effective.