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89 Lord of the Flies Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🔝 top-10 lord of the flies research paper topics, 🏆 best lord of the flies essay titles, 📌 creative lord of the flies thesis ideas, 👍 good titles for lord of the flies essay, ❓ lord of the flies: important questions.

• Ralph’s character development in “Lord of the Flies.”
• The main theme in “Lord of the Flies.”
• The success of William Golding’s debut novel.
• “Lord of the Flies”: a discussion of innocence and power.
• The role of the conch in “Lord of the Flies.”
• Civilization vs. savagery in “Lord of the Flies.”
• William Golding’s commentary on human nature and evil.
• The symbolism of fear in “Lord of the Flies.”
• A literary analysis of “Lord of the Flies.”
• “Lord of the Flies”: a summary of events.
• “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding The reader will wonder that all the boys respond in the same manner to the sound of the blown shell. The author uses aesthetics to drive emotions out of the reader about the value of […]
• Evil in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding The idea is that we are born with both the capacity of good and the capacity of evil and that the way we are raised, or the environment in which we live determines how we […]
• Lord of the Flies, an Allegorical Novel by William Golding As the auction proceeds, the reader follows the heartbreaking events of the book. Boys hunt down a pig and place its head on a stick as an ‘offering’ to the ‘beast’.
• Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding In The Lord of the Flies, the fire in the story is lit as a symbol of hope and rescue. The island in The Lord Of The Flies resembled the perfect type of Utopia at […]
• Lord of the Flies: Novel Analysis The sinister nature of the novel is inferred in the title which derives from the Hebrew word, Ba’al-zvuv which means god of the fly, host of the fly or literally the Lord of Flies a […]
• Writing on the Novel I Love: Lord of the Flies In a given Lord of the Flies essay, one needs to illustrate the different themes used by Golding in his novel.
• Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies” by Golding Considering this, the present paper will analyze the validity of the given statement by drawing on the experiences of characters in Lord of the Flies and evaluating the conditions in which they lived.
• Literature Studies: “Lord of the Flies” by W. Golding Although Jack Merridew, one of the lead characters of William Golding’s shockingly unforgettable Lord of the Flies novel, is a child and still has a lot to learn in terms of how society works, the […]
• A Comprehensive Analysis of the Key Elements of “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• The Role of Simon in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Literary Comparison of Ballantyne’s “Coral Island” and Golding’s Island in “Lord of the Flies”
• Attitude Towards Children in the Story “Lord of the Flies”
• Jack as a Symbol of Savagery and Anarchy in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Description of the Potential for Evil in Everyone as One of the Theme in the Novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Evil in Humanity in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Savagery and the Beast Theme in “Lord of the Flies”
• The Fall of Civilization Into Savagery in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• An Allegory of Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis Theory in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• A Literary Analysis of the Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Comparison Between the Movie and Novel “Lord of the Flies”
• Abuse of Power and the Effect of Tyrannical Leadership Between “Lord of the Flies” and “The Chrysalids”
• Fear of the Unknown in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Comparison of “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding and “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles on Peer Pressure
• Internal and External Conflicts in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Importance of the Extract in the Development of the Main Themes in “Lord of the Flies”
• Destructiveness of Jealousy Depicted in “Lord of the Flies” and “Woman Warrior”
• A Demonstration of the Influence and Power of People Over One Another Through the Character of Piggy in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• A Character of Piggy as the Character Who Most Deserved to Be Saved in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• The Role of Government in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Moral Consequences in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• The Symbolism of Power in “Lord of the Flies”
• An Analysis of Human Behavior in “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Lord of the Flies”
• Changes in the Conception of God in “Lord of the Flies”
• Inate Evil in “To Kill a Mocking Bird” and “Lord of the Flies”
• A Look at Disturbing Events Highlighted in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• Allegory of Social Dissolution “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Ralph as a Good Leader in “Lord of the Flies”
• An Analysis of Democratic and Authoritarian Power in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Leaders and Leadership in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Golding’s Pessimistic View on People and Society in His Book “Lord of the Flies”
• Analyzing the Themes of Innocence and Fear in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• A Description of the Occurrence of Civilization in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Importance of the Beast in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”: A Dream of a Deserted Island Into Reality
• Adventures, Conflicts, and Struggles in “Lord of the Flies”
• Good and Evil in Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Failure of Paradise in Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• Immorality of Human Nature Depicted in Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
• Formation of Rules and Perception of Civilisation in “Lord of the Flies”
• How Golding Presents the Decline From Civilisation to Savagery in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Does Piggy Symbolize in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Second World War Reflect on “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Ideas About Human Nature and Behavior Golding Was Trying to Express in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Does the Plane Crash Symbolize in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Present the Character of Jack in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Express His Ideas About Leadership in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Roger Change in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding?
• How the Society Suppresses Evil in the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Create a Setting in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Author Present Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Show Evil at Work in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Anybody Could Regress Into Savagery in Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Is the Author’s Characterisation and Language Attributed to the Novel of the “Lord of the Flies”?
• Why Did William Golding Name His Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Present Death in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Setting Affect the Story “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Children Are Treated in the Story of “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Golding Make the Physical World Seem Important in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Is Ralph’s Attitude Toward Piggy in the First Chapter of “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Many Boys Are in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Golding Creates Tension in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does the Opening Prepare the Reader for the Rest of the Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• Why the Boys Were Doomed to Fail in “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Influenced William Golding to Write “Lord of the Flies”?
• Ways That Golding Presents the Island in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Golding Uses Symbols in “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does William Golding Use the Setting to Develop the Main Theme of His Novel “Lord of the Flies”?
• How Does Piggy’s Character Develop Through Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?
• What Ruined Ralph and Jack’s Friendship in “Lord of the Flies”?
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Lord of the Flies William Golding

Lord of the Flies essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

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Lord of the Flies Essays

Two faces of man anonymous, lord of the flies.

William Golding was inspired by his experiences in the Royal Navy during World War II when he wrote Lord of the Flies (Beetz 2514). Golding has said this about his book:

The theme is an attempt to trace the defeats of society back to the defects of...

The Relationship Between Symbolism and Theme in Lord of the Flies Anonymous

In real life, common objects that are used everyday are often taken for granted and even unusual sights, as well as ideas, are often unrecognized. However, this is seldom the case with similar objects and ideas that literary characters encounter....

A Tainted View of Society Crystal Epps

William Golding's Lord of the Flies is "An unfashionable aberration, a throwback to earlier, simpler forms of literature in which symbolic, fablelike elements predominate over psychological or social realism" (Magill 1126). Lord of the Flies, a...

Death and Social Collapse in Lord of the Flies Rebekah Bunting

Oscar Hammling has said, "We die ourselves every time we kill in others something that deserved to live." Man's relationship with death from the hour of his birth and his inherent concern for himself above others are themes often used in literary...

Lumination: The Conquest of Mankind's Darkness Anonymous

When freed from the moral manacles of society, humans must embrace moderate, disciplined lifestyles in order to avoid a fatal plunge into barbarism. In William Golding's Lord of the Flies, marooned schoolboys exchange the confines of civility for...

An Inborn Condemnation: Mankind's Potential for Evil Margaret Hsieh

Despite the progression of civilization and society's attempts to suppress man's darker side, moral depravity proves both indestructible and inescapable; contrary to culturally embraced views of humanistic tendencies towards goodness, each...

A Grim Ending Laura Lee

Lord of the Flies ends on a bleak note in order to emphasize the recurring theme throughout the novel: the idea that every human contains the beast within him/herself. By making the finale of the book so depressing, Golding illustrates the...

A Beacon in the Abyss Brad Champion

A Beacon in the Abyss

The voice of reason in this modern morality play, the physically flawed, socially inept Piggy serves as a confidant in The Lord of the Flies, providing Ralph with a balancing presence while embodying the principles of...

Corruption vs. Civilization in Lord of the Flies Anonymous

William Golding's The Lord of the Flies is not simply a book about outward conflict between individuals. It is, rather, a novel about one's inner being. When the formerly-civilized British boys of Golding's novel are stranded on a desert island...

Piggy: Brains, Wisdom, and the Human Spirit Anonymous

In the introduction to William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, E.M Forster describes Piggy as not only “the brains of the party” but also “the wisdom of the heart” and “the human spirit.” This description of Piggy becomes more accurate as the...

Lord of the Flies - 'The Darkness of Man's Heart' Jennifer Liu 10th Grade

Lord of the Flies delves into the subject of ‘the darkness of man’s heart’. It explores the primitivism and savagery that comes with the human nature through the various characters and language choices. William Golding uses the concept of ‘fear of...

Savagery versus Civilisation: Representations of Power in Lord of the Flies Leon Frank-Rath 10th Grade

Golding’s exploration of the human condition continues to be read, year after year, because it challenges the reader to consider notions that are fundamental to the human condition. Through a simple premise, Golding creates an environment in which...

Natural Evil in Lord of the Flies Holly McKinney 12th Grade

In his work "Essay Concerning Human Understanding," John Locke explains his belief that the human mind is what he called a "tabula rasa," which is Latin for "clean sheet of paper." It assumes that infants know nothing when they are born and human...

Killer Savagery in "Lord of the Flies" Anonymous 10th Grade

Civilization, at its core, was created to suppress barbaric instinct. However, in extreme circumstances, it is possible for instinct to prevail over civility. William Golding’s timeless Lord of the Flies is a prime example of instinct overpowering...

Golding & Nietzsche: Compared and Contrasted Anonymous 11th Grade

Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher, and William Golding, an English author, lived and died in two seemingly separate worlds. They came from different time periods, places of origin, and had perceptions of humanity that draw no mass...

Panopticon in Lord of the Flies Drexel Feeling 10th Grade

The Panopticon theory. Imagine there is a prison with no bars, no chains, no guards patrolling around, but there is a watchtower which can see into every cell. It has one-way glass so no one can see in, and only zigzag pathways to walk through....

Non vi, sed verbo (Not by force, but by the word) Chelsea Santos 10th Grade

Sylvia Plath, a confessional poet, once said, “I talk to God but the sky is empty,” (Plath 199). When one talks to God, they know He is there, but they do not see Him. They ask for help and expect it right away, which leads to conflict. Plath is...

Natural Settings in "Lord of the Flies" Serena Siciliano 10th Grade

Natural occurrences are often portrayed in literature as accurate reflections of mankind’s actions. In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies , the weather patterns frequently correspond to the happenings on the island. Upon the arrival of the...

How does Golding make Jack such a frightening figure in the novel? Amy Allison 10th Grade

In his novel, ‘Lord of the Flies’, Golding highlights Jack and one of the story’s pivotal characters. Whilst it may originally appear that Jack is just one of the many confused boys on the island, Golding quickly sets Jack aside from the other...

The Symbolic Importance of the Killing of the Sow Amy Allison 10th Grade

In the novel, ‘Lord of the Flies’, the killing of the sow is a pivotal moment whereby the boys reach a point of no return; they have lost themselves completely and are now so immersed in savagery that there is no turning back. Golding emphasises...

The Littluns: Analysis of "Lord of the Flies" Jimmy Jay Chassi 10th Grade

What do you think of when someone says “children?" Sweet, innocent, and naive are just some of the adjectives that today’s society has placed on the common image of society's own youngest members. Yet in Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the...

Ralph: Was He a Good Leader? Anonymous 8th Grade

As First Lady Rosalynn Carter once said, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be,” applies to many leaders and one of them is Ralph. In Lord of the Flies by...

The Symbolic Use of Color in Lord of the Flies Anonymous 10th Grade

In Sir William Golding’s Lord of the Flies , the symbolic use of color conveys the innocence and the evil on the island, as well as each of the boys' personalities. The contrasting light and dark colors in the book symbolize the goodness and evil,...

Water, Water, Everywhere David You 9th Grade

In the novel Lord of the Flies , William Golding explores the savagery and bloodlust in humanity. Written right after the end of World War II, this narrative depicts roughly 40 children as they try to stay alive on a desert island in the middle of...

The Core Themes and Symbolism in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”

This essay about William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” explores the novel’s depiction of human nature and societal structures, set on a desolate island. It examines the central conflict between civilization and savagery through key symbols like the conch shell and characters such as Piggy and Jack. The essay also discusses the “Lord of the Flies” as a representation of inherent evil and the island itself as a microcosm of human existence, highlighting Golding’s use of imagery and allegory to convey profound themes.

How it works

In the intricate narrative of William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies,” the essence of human nature and societal constructs is laid bare on the barren island setting. Here, among the rustling palms and the relentless surge of the ocean, a primal drama unfolds, encapsulating the broader human conflict between order and chaos, civilization and savagery.

At its core, Golding’s work delves into the persistent struggle between structure and disintegration as the boys grapple with the harsh realities of survival and self-discovery.

Through a rich tapestry of allegorical motifs and deep-seated themes, the novel transcends its immediate context, prompting readers to examine their own humanity.

Central to the story is the symbolic conch shell, a representation of authority and communal dialogue within the boys’ nascent society. Initially revered as a symbol of order and unity, the conch’s gradual destruction mirrors the collapse of civility, paving the way for the rise of primal instincts and factionalism.

In contrast, Piggy stands as a beacon of reason and intellectual pursuit amidst the growing darkness. His glasses symbolize insight and clarity, and Piggy himself represents the steadfast quest for truth in a world shrouded in ignorance. However, his tragic demise highlights the fragility of intellect when confronted with unrestrained savagery and moral decay.

Opposite to Piggy, the enigmatic Jack Merridew represents the seductive power of authority and the intoxicating lure of barbarism. His transformation from choirboy to ruthless hunter parallels society’s descent into chaos, driven by ambition and the primal urge for supremacy. As Jack’s influence grows, so does the specter of violence and tyranny over the island.

A key element of the narrative is the “Lord of the Flies,” a gruesome totem made from a pig’s severed head. Through this disturbing symbol, Golding exposes the darker corners of the human psyche, forcing readers to confront the unsettling reality of mankind’s capacity for evil and destruction.

Furthermore, the island itself becomes a character, a crucible for moral testing and existential reflection. From the sunlit beaches to the dense, shadowy jungle, Golding contrasts the natural world’s ethereal beauty with humanity’s brutal tendencies, emphasizing the precarious balance between civilization and disorder.

Golding employs a rich array of imagery and allegory to explore the depths of human experience. From the ominous presence of the beast to the dual nature of fire as both a purifier and a destroyer, each element illuminates the novel’s central themes with striking clarity.

Ultimately, “Lord of the Flies” is a profound exploration of the ongoing battle between light and darkness, civilization and barbarism. Through its enduring symbolism and insightful commentary, Golding’s novel continues to draw readers into the labyrinth of human consciousness, challenging them to confront the complexities of their existence amidst a tumultuous world.

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PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Core Themes and Symbolism in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-core-themes-and-symbolism-in-william-goldings-lord-of-the-flies/ [Accessed: 25-May-2024]

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Lord of the Flies

46 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-5

Chapters 6-7

Chapters 8-9

Chapters 10-11

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Compare/contrast what happensin “normal” society with what happens on the island. Is the society that the boys make more similar or different than the society you know?

Why are there no girls on the island? Do you think that having both genders represented would alter how the boys treat one another?

Why does the “Lord of the Flies” (138)—the pig’s head—tell Simon he is in danger? How does this scene relate to the novel’s title?

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Lord of the flies – sample essay..

Choose a novel in which an important theme is explored. Explain how the author develops this theme throughout the novel.

            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.

             The theme of savagery versus civilisation is first introduced to us through the symbol of the conch shell which we associate with Ralph as he is the person who first uses it and becomes the elected leader of the boys. This symbolises authority amongst the boys. At the first assembly Ralph says “I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak…he won’t be interrupted”. This suggests civilisation as Ralph is allowing each boy to have an equal say and opinion. If they have the conch, no matter who they are or what age they are they will be given the chance to speak and will be listened to by the rest of the boys. The boys have created the island to be a democratic place which shows a civilised side to them as they try to mimic the homes they have just left.

             Contrasting with the symbol of the conch is the symbol of the beast which comes to be associated with Jack as by the end of the novel he is almost devil worshipping it. The beast begins as a  “snake thing” but by the end of the novel it has become “the Lord of the Flies”. The first quote shows us that the beast is clearly evil. Western society considers snakes to be bad omens because it was a snake that led Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge. However at this stage of the novel the beast is quite insubstantial as it is only a “thing”. As the boys fear of the beast grows so to does the beast itself until it has manifested into the devil – the ultimate and most powerful evil. He has a strong status as a Lord although it is over something pretty disgusting – the flies. The boys belief in the beast leads them to behave more like savages as they act out from their fear and they begin to loose hold of the rules, led by Jack, thus demonstrating the theme of savagery.

             One of ways Golding shows conflict between savagery and civilisation is when Jack and some of the other boys are killing the first pig. Jack chants “kill the pig, cut her throat, spill the blood”. This suggests savagery as the boys are being violent and aggressive when killing the pig and they don’t care about it. This is particularly clear through Golding’s word choice. Jack talks about cutting the pig’s throat which makes it sound like a savage action and spilling her blood which reinforces the lack of care and feeling shown towards the pug’s carcass. This shows that the boys are no longer feeling guilty about what they have done thus showing them becoming savages. 

             We can see the conflict between savagery and civilisation developing further when Piggy’s glasses are broken. We are told “Piggy cried out in terror ‘my specs!” This shows us that the boys savage natures are beginning to overule their more civilised sides. At the start of the book Jack would never have dared touch Piggy, but here he actually snaps and goes for Piggy who he despises. We can tell that Piggy is really scared as Golding chooses the words “cried” and “terror” to describe the scene. Piggy sounds like he is hurting and is genuinely terrified about what Jack might do to him and the loss of his sight. Piggy’s glasses have also come to represent intelligence on the island, with them breaking we see that the pathway to savagery is now completely open for the boys. This is the first true piece of violence between the two factions on the island and it will result in nearly all the boys becoming savages.

             A final way in which we see the theme of savagery versus civilisation being demonstrated is when Ralph sticks up for Piggy after he is attacked by Jack. Ralph says “that was a dirty trick”. This shows that Ralph is really angry at Jack for what he said and did to Piggy. He is still attempting to impose himself as leader here as he says this in an aggressive and assertive tone. This suggests there is still some glimmers of civilisation on the island at this point as there is still someone with a sense of moral goodness ready to fight for justice.

             In conclusion The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a novel in which the theme of savagery versus civilisation is shown. Ralph represents civilisation as he wants to enforce rules and let everyone have an equal say. Whereas Jack who represents savagery as he rules over the boys and he is not interested in what they have to say. Through the boys actions Golding shows us that we need rules and to consciously impose them to make sure society functions properly.

27 thoughts on “Lord of the Flies – sample essay.”

AWESOME thanks guys!!

This essay was really helpful and thought provoking. I noticed a comment about how this essay could improve and I understand that this essay follows Scottish Qualifications, but I just have two suggestions to improve it.

At the beginning of Paragraph 4 it states “One of ways”. I think that perhaps the author meant “One of the ways”.

Also, in Paragraph 5 the author uses “We”, it may be different in Scotland, but I learnt that in essays one does not use personal pronouns.

Other than that it was really well written <3 Thank you!

I’m sorry you didn’t find the essay any help. There are mistakes in this as it was written by a National 5 class and is an exact sample essay as written by the pupils (equivalent to GCSE) and as a result of that there are some errors. It does talk about the same thing over and over again – civilisation versus savagery – but it is supposed to as this was the focus of the essay question. When writing a critical essay you need to pick out things from the text that answer the question. You will notice that different things are picked out from the text that relate to the fight between civilisation and savagery – whether this is the symbols used in the book or the actions of some of the characters. Once this has been selected to speak about you need to lift evidence from the text to support what you are saying and then explain it to your readers. I hope this has helped you understand the point of the essay a bit better.

Ms Davidson

Is this essay meant to be for a GSCE course? I am doing an essay about it now and I’m in year 8.

This text is being used by students in a Scottish Secondary School for their National 5 English qualification. They sit their exam at the equivalent age to those studying GCSEs. It doesn’t really matter what age you are when you study the text, it’s more to do with the levels of analysis you go through whilst studying the text. This essay would be a minimum pass at National 5 in Scotland. It is written by students and is simply an example of what students could write in their exam.

Hope that’s helped, Ms Davidson

I was desperate to know what to write in the conclusion but then this conclusion gave me some help, Thank you

Thank you so much!! The points in this essay are extremely helpful and I was able to interlink them in my GCSE exam today. Very helpful source!!

You are very welcome!

I’m glad you found it useful!

Thanks so much I have this 5 paragraph essay that’s due and you helped me so much for idea wise

WOOOOW amazing thank you so much

😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

this is gold as I have to write an essay on lotf and was having troubles finding main quotes the had good techniques paired to them and this helped a lot

Is this a full mark piece ?

This would probably get 15-16 out of 20 at National 5 in the Scottish system. Hope that helps.

Glad it was useful!

Thank you so much this was so extremely helpful. You are a lifesaver!

I’m glad I found this essay because i got an A on my school essay. THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙂

I wanted conflict between ralph and jack ONLY

You can change the points and the link backs (the first and last sentence in each paragraph) to focus on the conflict between Jack and Ralph if you need to. Each symbol talked about here is either associated with Jack or Ralph. Also Jack and Ralph link to the wider theme of the book with each boy respectively representing civilisation or savagery. This essay can be used to help you structure the one you need to write.

I am writing a paragraph and i need to write about the theme, charecters/groups… i cant start the paragraph with the answers, i need an intro, what can i do for an intro, i am a bit stuck

I’m not sure I understand your question Sarah. Your paragraph seems to include an awful lot of things. What is the overall point you are trying to talk about? If you were looking at the theme of civilisation then you could start with a simple sentence saying “The Lord of the Flies explores the theme of savagery versus civilisation”. If you are focusing on a particular character then begin with “The Lord of the Flies uses one of it’s main characters Jack/Ralph to explore certain ideas within the text.” I hope this helps. Ms Davidson

This helped me soon much!I’m so happy that I got an A+!My teacher was so happy.

That’s excellent!

THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙂

I need help with that essay lotf essay why should a leader read lotf base on ralph.

Take a look at the essay based on the character Ralph. Adapt it the first sentence in each paragraph (your POINT) so that it focuses on Ralph being a good example of being a leader, or how they can learn a lesson from him doing something that shows him being a bad leader. Then adapt the final sentence (your LINK BACK) so it responds to him setting an example (or not!) for leaders.

I was reading through the comments and you mentioned that the essay would be about 15-16 marks out of 20, and was wonder what improvements could be made to get the last few marks?

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Themes and Analysis

Lord of the flies, by william golding.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a powerful novel. It's filled with interesting themes, thoughtful symbols, and a particular style of writing that has made it a classic of British literature.

Article written by Lee-James Bovey

P.G.C.E degree.

Several key themes are prevalent throughout the book. It is sometimes referred to as a “book of ideas” and these ideas are explored as the plot unfolds.

Lord of the Flies Themes

The impact of humankind on nature.

This is evident from the first chapter when the plane crashing leaves what Golding describes as a “scar” across the island. This idea is explored further in the early chapters the boys light a fire that escapes their control and yet further diminishes what might be considered an unspoiled island. Some interpret the island almost as a Garden of Eden with the children giving in to temptation by slaughtering the animals there. The final chapter furthers the destruction of nature by mankind as the whole island appears to have been ruined thanks to the effects of the boy’s presence on the island.

Civilization versus savagery

This can be seen throughout as the boys struggle with being removed from organized society. To begin with, they cope well. They construct a form of government represented by the conch that theoretically draws them together and gives them all a voice. As they break away from society this adherence to the rules they have constructed is evident. Golding’s ideas of what savagery is might be outdated and rooted in colonial stereotypes but they are evident for all to see as the boys use masks to dehumanize themselves and their increasing obsession with hunting leads to an increasingly animalistic nature.

Nature of humanity

Perhaps the biggest underlying theme is the idea of the true nature of mankind. Golding explores the idea that mankind is innately evil and that it is only the contrast between society and civilization that prevents that nature from being prevalent. Of course, this overlooks that civilization is a human construct and if all men’s biggest motivation were their inner evil, then that construct would never have existed. Golding’s views largely spring from his role in the navy where he was witness to the atrocities of war but are also informed by his work as a teacher.

Analysis of Key Moments in Lord of the Flies

There are many key moments in ‘ Lord of the Flies ‘ that highlight the boy’s descent into savagery.

• Blowing the conch – this introduces us to the conch which acts as a symbol of society and civilization throughout the novel. It is both the device that brings the children together and in theory the object which allows them all to have a say and therefore run a democratic society.
• The fire gets out of control – This shows the effects that the boys are already having on the island. It also demonstrates how lost the boys are without adults there to guide them as they lose one of the boys and nobody even knows his name.
• Jack fails to kill the pig/Roger throws stones – both of these events show how the boys are currently constrained by the expectations of society. We see as time passes these restraints are lifted and that firstly, Jack can kill a pig and finally, and perhaps more dramatically, Roger is not only okay with hitting somebody with a stone but taking their life with one.
• The hunters put on masks – By covering up their faces, they seem to become free from the constraints of society. It is if it liberates them from humanity and allows them to act on more primal, animalistic urges.
• Sam and Eric find “the beast” – When Sam and Eric feel they have discovered the beast it sets a ripple of panic throughout. This fear sways the boys towards Jack’s leadership as he continues to manipulate the situation to his advantage. If not for this then Simon might never be murdered.
• Creating of the Lord of the Flies – Successfully killing the pig is itself an iconic moment but then leaving a pigs head on a pole is both a gruesome image (one worthy of the book’s title) and also plays a pivotal role in Simon’s story arc.
• Simon’s death – Simon is the one character who never seems to succumb to primal urges and therefore his death if looked at symbolically could be seen as the death of hope for boys.
• Piggy’s death – Piggy’s character represents order and reason. With his death, any chance of resolving the issues between Jack and Ralph vanishes. The conch being smashed at the same time is also symbolic and represents the complete destruction of society.
• The rescue – This is not the happy ending that one might expect with all the boys crying due to their loss of innocence. There is an irony as well as the boys will not be rescued and taken to a Utopia but rather to a civilization plagued by a war that mirrors the war zone they have just left.

Style, Literary Devices, and Tone in Lord of the Flies

Throughout this novel, Golding’s style is straightforward and easy to read. There are no lengthy passages nor does he choose particularly poetic words to describe the events. His writing is powerful without these stylistic devices. The same can be said for his use of literary devices. When used, they are direct. For example, the use of symbolism (see below) and metaphor is very thoughtful but not hard to interpret.

William Golding also employs an aloof or distant tone throughout the book. This reflects the way that the boys treat one another.

Symbols in Lord of the Flies

The conch shell.

The conch shell is one of the major symbols of this novel. It’s used from the beginning of the novel to call the boys together for meetings on the beach. It’s a symbol of civilization and government. But, as the boys lose touch with their civilized sides, the conch shell is discarded.

The Signal Fire

The signal fire is a very important symbol in the novel. It’s first lit on the mountain and then later on the beach with the intent of attracting the attention of passion ships. The fire is maintained diligently at first but as the book progresses and the boys slip farther from civilization, their concentration on the fire wanes. They eventually lose their desire to be rescued. Therefore, as one is making their way through the book, gauging the boys’ concentration on the fire is a great way to understand how “civilized” they are.

The beast is an imaginary creature who frightens the boys. It stands in for their savage instincts and is eventually revealed to be a personification of their dark impulses. It’s only through the boy’s behaviour that the beast exists at all.

What are three themes in Lord of the Flies ?

Three themes in ‘ Lord of the Flies ‘ are civilization vs. savagery, the impact of humankind on nature, and the nature of humanity.

What is the main message of the Lord of the Flies ?

The main message is that if left without rules, society devolves and loses its grasp on what is the morally right thing to do. this is even the case with kids.

How does Ralph lose his innocence in Lord of the Flies ?

He loses his innocence when he witnesses the deaths of Simon and Piggy. These losses in addition to the broader darkness of the island change him.

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About Lee-James Bovey

Lee-James, a.k.a. LJ, has been a Book Analysis team member since it was first created. During the day, he's an English Teacher. During the night, he provides in-depth analysis and summary of books.

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Good and Evil in Lord of The Flies

For years many years people have argued that we as humans know right from wrong and are not naturally evil. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a novel that tells the story of a group of English schoolboys stranded on a tropical island after their plane is shot down during the war. With no adults surviving the boys have to make choices within themselves and together that help them survive with each other while they figure a way to get home. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies explores the struggle of good versus evil through the use of symbolism, religious allegories and conflicts within themselves and between each other.

Jack and Ralph are the two main characters that all the boys follow but they are complete opposites.Ralph symbolizes the good within and Jack represents man’s inner evil.’Jack is tall, thin, bony: in a word, ugly. He is the evil man, the boy devil. He is associated with Satan through his red hair; his anger, rage, and cursing; and the snake and swine images applied to him’.This quote shows what William Golding believed in which is everybody has an inner evil, and Jack is the character that expresses inner evil the most making him a devil like figure.’ Ralph has the requirements to be the hero and the representative of good.’.This quote tells that Ralph is a good person no matter if he is just a man he done a lot of good things which make him the character that express the good in people. What Ralph and Jack symbolize changes the way they think about different situations and how they act leading for them to contradict in most cases showing the struggle of good versus evil. Good versus evil is a very prominent theme throughout the book Lord of the Flies and in some parts of the novel it is expressed by using religious allegories. The beast and Simon are two characters who have been connected to characters who act similar in the bible.

For instance Simon is connected to Jesus because they both have many similarities when it comes to what happen to them. ‘Many critics have attempted to read Simon as a Christ figure; he is the one boy who has the true knowledge which can save them. Like Christ, he is martyred. Unlike Christ, however, his death seems to have no significance for the boys; his knowledge dies with him.’ This quote shows the relation between Simon and Christ as a religious allegory it connects them and how they were both silenced with knowledge.

The beast is the another character who is connected to the bible but the beast is read as the devil. ‘And it is the beast–the beast that is part of all men. The materialization of this devil coincides with the emergence of savage evil in the boys, revealed in the acts that they commit.’ This quote shows the that the beast was put into the story to play the part as the devil for the sole purpose of bringing out the inner evil in each of the boys. Religious allegory plays a big part in this story by connecting characters and relating them to the bible. Simon and the beast conflict because Simon’s christ like actions and the beast’s devil like actions leading both of them to represent the struggle between good vs. evil.

Good versus evil is a theme that is seen from the beginning to the end of the novel and internal conflicts helps further the story and aids the expression of good versus evil in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. One of the biggest signs of an internal struggle is after the murder of Simon. ‘That was Simon.’ ‘You said that before.’ ‘Piggy.’ ‘Uh?’ ‘That was murder,’. In this quote, we see Ralph realizing the weight of their actions, the reality of them which is a heavy internal burden and conflict. The evil act that they took part in weighs most on the characters that are more good then they are evil like Piggy and Ralph.

Another example of an internal struggle is Jack wanting to kill the pig so much’He tried to convey the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up. ‘I went on. I thought, by myself-‘ The madness came into his eyes again,’ This quote marks the beginning of Jack’s internal decline into evil and savagery, a problem he struggles with internally. It begins with the need to catch and kill the pig.William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a story that explores the struggle between good versus evil through symbolism, religious allegory and internal conflict. Inherent good and evil, is a topic that has been debated for centuries, and is sure to be debated in the future. We may never all agree on one true definition for good and evil. We may never even agree on whether good and evil both truly exist.

However, the important thing is to realize that what Golding was trying to warn us against is a real problem. All of the boys on the island are tempted by evil, but not all of them give in to the craving.

However, along with the evil that lies within all people, there is also a touch of goodness, suggesting that all people have the free will to choose their destiny. Through the boys actions Golding shows us that everyone is born with and inner evil and the actions we take decide if we.

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supremestudy.com. (2021). Good and Evil in Lord of The Flies . [Online]. Available at: https://supremestudy.com/good-and-evil-in-lord-of-the-flies/ [Accessed: 25 May. 2024]

"Good and Evil in Lord of The Flies." supremestudy.com, Jul 13, 2021. Accessed May 25, 2024. https://supremestudy.com/good-and-evil-in-lord-of-the-flies/

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AQA English Literature Bundle - Macbeth, AQA Worlds & Lives, Lord of the Flies

Last updated

19 May 2024

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Resources included (3)

AQA Worlds and Lives Anthology Study Guide

Lord of the Flies PowerPoint Slides

Macbeth GCSE study guide

The bundle includes the following -

Macbeth Study Guide AQA Worlds & Lives Study Guide Lord of the Flies PowerPoint

Macbeth and Lord of the Flies include -

• the nature of drama
• handouts and exercises on plot, character and themes
• how to structure your essays
• the use of P.E.E.
• rhetorical devices chart
• revision tests
• a connectives chart (discursive markers)
• 20 GCSE questions
• model exam answers
• links to instructional YouTube videos
• form, structure and context
• the exam board assessment objectives
• writer biography

AQA World & Loves Anthology includes -

This 171-page study guide contains all of the poems in the AQA World and Lives cluster and are accompanied with notes on poetic devices used by the artist and the effects on the reader; there are explanatory notes on each poem and biographical details on each poet.

There are handouts on the Assessment Objectives with advice on how to maximise point scoring. As well the study guide contains practice GCSE exam questions, compare & contrast chart, essay structure advice, mind mapping, essay structure tips and discursive markers advice and tasks for better essay writing results.

In addition, there are handouts on poetic and rhetorical devices and poetry styles to help students identify techniques and comment on effects. This study guide is intended to focus the student on relevance to the exam.

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Mosiah 18-24: To Know the Lord Is to Live in Covenant with Him

Come, follow me may 20-26: mosiah 18-24.

In 2024, the Maxwell Institute will offer a weekly series of short essays on the Book of Mormon, in support of the Church-wide Come, Follow Me study curriculum. Each week, the Maxwell Institute blog will feature a post by a member of the Institute faculty exploring an aspect of the week’s reading block. We hope these explorations will enrich your study and teaching of the Book of Mormon throughout the coming year.

To Know the Lord Is to Live in Covenant with Him By Jennifer C. Lane

I’ve always thought that these chapters were a story of two peoples—the people of King Limhi and the people of Alma. But on closer reading I noticed a third group of people that undergoes dramatic change in these chapters—the Lamanites. All three groups learn something that changes their physical conditions, but their spiritual change and relationship with the Lord vary. The people of Alma have something that the people of Limhi want and that the Lamanites weren’t taught about.

Under the instruction of the priests of King Noah, the Lamanites learn the Nephite language. Being able to “keep their record, and that they might write one to another,” their economy changed. We see that “the Lamanites began to increase in riches, and began to trade one with another and wax great, and began to be a cunning and a wise people, as to the wisdom of the world” (Mosiah 24:7).

In these chapters, we see that Alma’s people and Limhi’s people had both been taught of the Lord, which gave them faith to change and come to know him more fully. In striking contrast, the Lamanites “knew not God; neither did the brethren of Amulon teach them anything concerning the Lord their God, neither the law of Moses; nor did they teach them the words of Abinadi” (Mosiah 24:5).

This contrast heightens the focus on knowing the Lord in these chapters. With this focus, we particularly see the knowledge of the Lord among Alma’s people, who became the Lord’s people through baptism. They were “desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people” (Mosiah 18:8) and then to care for each other as part of that relationship. Describing the waters and forest of Mormon where they were taught and baptized, we read: “how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer” (Mosiah 18:30).

The people of Limhi, in contrast, seem to have made a vow or pledge to the Lord (see Mosiah 21:31), but they lacked—and wanted—the further relationship that baptism could create (see Mosiah 21:32-33).

Being in covenant relationship includes being known by the Lord and knowing him.

We see the knowledge born of covenant relationship repeatedly in the Old Testament. Because covenant relationship is such a close and personal bond between the Lord and his people, the analogy of marriage is used throughout the Old Testament to explain it.

And knowing the Lord as his covenant people is tied to a way to be in the world. Knowing the Lord is expressed in caring for each other. That way of interacting with others is the living out of the covenant relationship and emulating God’s goodness and mercy. Knowledge of the Lord is seen in how those who are vulnerable are treated. “He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 22:16).

Knowing God comes from being a covenant people and is connected to redemption. When Alma gathered the believers, he shared the means to know the Lord: “he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord” (Mosiah 18:7). After he taught them, they were “baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you” (Mosiah 18:10).

After they were baptized, Alma organized teachers, and “he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people” (Mosiah 18:20; emphasis added). Teaching among the Lord’s people focused on the Lord and living out the covenant relationship.

Once they had been redeemed from sin, they then needed redemption from other forms of captivity. Mormon explains: “For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob” (Mosiah 23:23). The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remembers his covenant and his covenant people.

“Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.” (Mosiah 24:13)

The covenant mercy of having our burdens lightened and eventually being delivered from bondage is part of the Lord’s covenant relationship with us. Living in a covenant relationship is coming to know the Lord and being known by Him. Jehovah spoke to ancient Israel about their covenant relationship: “And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord” (Hosea 2:19-20).

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Lord of The Flies — Depiction of Humans as Inherently Evil in the Lord of The Flies

Depiction of Humans as Inherently Evil in The Lord of The Flies

• Categories: Lord of The Flies

About this sample

Words: 1092 |

Pages: 2.5 |

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 1092 | Pages: 2.5 | 6 min read

Table of contents

Lord of the flies essay outline, lord of the flies essay example, introduction.

• Introduction to the theme of 'the darkness of man's heart' in "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
• Mention of primitivism, savagery, and human nature as central themes

'Fear of the Unknown' and its Impact

• Fear of the beast and the island as a representation of the unknown
• The emergence of fear at nightfall and in dreams
• Jack's manipulation of the boys' fear for his gain
• Simon's understanding of the true nature of the beast

The Collapse of Order and Authority

• The boys' initial adherence to societal rules
• The deterioration of their appearance and behavior on the island
• The role of authority figures in maintaining order
• The transformation of Roger into a violent and ruthless character

Jack's Descent into Evil

• Jack's initial compliance with societal norms
• His rebellion against Ralph's leadership
• The formation of Jack's savage tribe
• Jack's brutal and merciless actions towards the end

The Symbolism of the Beast

• The evolving perception of the beast
• Piggy and Simon's insights into the true nature of the beast
• The beast as a representation of the darkness within human nature
• The overarching theme of humans being inherently evil
• The impact of fear, the collapse of order, and the symbolism of the beast on the boys' behavior
• The reflection of the darkness in human nature portrayed in "Lord of the Flies"

Works Cited

• Goldhurst, W. (1964). The Lord of the Flies: A Study in the Inner Conflict of the Human Psyche. University of California Press.
• Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. Faber and Faber.
• Hynes, S. (1962). William Golding: The Man and His Books. Faber and Faber.
• Johnson, R. L. (1997). The Evolution of the Symbolic System in Lord of the Flies. William Golding's Lord of the Flies. Chelsea House Publishers.
• Koopmans, M. (2021). The Psychology of Evil: William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Human Ethology Bulletin, 36(2), 16-25.
• Kristeva, J. (1980). Desire in language: A semiotic approach to literature and art. Columbia University Press.
• Lindop, G. (2010). A literary guide to England and Wales. Methuen Publishing.
• Rosenfield, C. L. (1963). The Characters of Lord of the Flies. The Antioch Review, 23(3), 347-362.
• Tiger, V. (1965). The Beast in the Lord of the Flies. The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 23(1), 53-58.
• Zimbardo, P. G. (2007). The Lucifer effect: Understanding how good people turn evil. Random House LLC.

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Opinion Paul Krugman

What Does the Dow Hitting 40,000 Tell Us?

Credit... Gabby Jones for The New York Times

Supported by

By Paul Krugman

Opinion Columnist

• May 20, 2024

Last week, for the first time in history, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 40,000.

Unlike many right-wing commentators , I don’t consider the stock market the best indicator of the economy’s health, or even a good indicator. But it is an indicator. And given the state of American politics, with hyperpartisanship and conspiracy theorizing running rampant, I’d argue that this market milestone deserves more attention than it has been getting.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but do you have any doubt that Republicans, across the board, would be trumpeting the Dow’s record high from every rooftop if Donald Trump were still in the White House?

The background here is the gap between what we know about the actual state of our economy and the way Trump and his allies describe it.

By the numbers, the economy looks very good. Unemployment has now been below 4 percent for 27 months, a record last achieved in the late 1960s , ending in February 1970. Inflation is way down from its peak in 2022, although by most measures it’s still somewhat above the Federal Reserve’s target of 2 percent. U.S. economic growth over the past four years has been much faster than in comparable major wealthy nations.

Yet Trump says that the economy is “ collapsing into a cesspool of ruin .” How can such claims be reconciled with the good economic data?

Well, the numbers I just cited come from official agencies — the Bureau of Labor Statistics (which produces labor market data) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (which estimates gross domestic product). And if you were a hard-core MAGA partisan inclined to conspiracy theories — but I repeat myself — you might tell yourself that the good economic numbers are fake, concocted by a corrupt deep state to help President Biden win the election.

Although I don’t have a way to quantify this, my sense is that conspiracy theories about the economic data have been proliferating as the news gets better. For example, have you heard the one about how the B.L.S. is hiding inflation by removing coffee from the Consumer Price Index? ( It isn’t .)

But how do we know that the B.L.S. isn’t cooking the books in Biden’s favor? The best answer, probably, is to learn something about both the bureau’s methods and its institutional culture; corrupting the data would be very hard. (Although autocrats in other countries have done such things, and there’s no guarantee that it wouldn’t happen if Trump, well known for his mendacity , regains power.)

Another answer is to look at independent, private business data, like surveys of purchasing managers , which tell the same story about declining inflation as the official statistics.

But if all that seems too academic and out of touch, there’s the raw fact of record stock prices. As I said, the stock market isn’t a very good indicator of how well the economy is doing. Nonetheless, it’s hard to reconcile Dow 40,000 with Trump’s claim that the economy is a cesspool.

In particular, even though trying to explain stock fluctuations is, in general, a waste of time, the recent run-up in stocks probably reflects economic reports suggesting that the uptick in measured inflation earlier this year was just a bump on the way to a soft landing .

Record highs for both the Dow and broader measures like the S & P 500 are also noteworthy given that back in 2020, during Biden and Trump’s second debate , Trump — who really does like to measure economic success by the stock market — said “the stock market will crash” if Biden won. Now, everyone makes bad predictions — lord knows I have . But you’re supposed to admit your mistakes and learn from them, especially if they were driven by motivated reasoning.

Trump, however, has once again claimed that stocks will crash if he doesn’t win. He has also done something that I think has no precedent: trying to take credit for a rising stock market even though he’s out of office, claiming stock market gains mean investors are betting on his future victory.

That claim is, for lack of a better word, pathetic. And one of the things that still mystifies me about Trump’s political appeal is why more Americans don’t see this kind of whining and boasting as ridiculous.

But let’s pretend, just for a moment, to take Trump’s story about stock prices seriously. If we do, recent developments in the 2024 horse race provide a kind of test. There’s still a very good chance that Trump will win. But polling averages suggest that the popular-vote lead he had a few months ago has evaporated, even though yes, he appears to be ahead in key swing states . Betting markets still modestly favor Trump, but by much less than they did not long ago.

So if Trump’s self-aggrandizing theory of the stock market were right, stocks would be falling in response to his reduced odds of victory. Instead, they’re on the rise.

Once again, none of this should be taken as a reason to start seeing stock prices as a good measure of economic success. They aren’t; jobs, inflation and real incomes are what matter, and the case for Bidenomics rests on these fundamentals, not the Dow.

But at a time when one side of the political divide is peddling dystopian economic fantasies, it makes sense to point to the undeniable fact that stock prices have been hitting new highs.

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Paul Krugman has been an Opinion columnist since 2000 and is also a distinguished professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center. He won the 2008 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his work on international trade and economic geography. @ PaulKrugman

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