Introduction to Author
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Sir William Gerald Golding was an esteemed English novelist, playwright, and poet, renowned primarily for his masterpiece, "Lord of the Flies." Born in Cornwall, England, Golding spent his formative years in Wiltshire, where his father served as a science master. His early education took place in the same school where his father taught, fostering a deep connection to academia from a young age. After marrying Anne Brookfield in 1939, Golding began his career as a schoolmaster, teaching Philosophy and English before focusing solely on English from 1945 to 1962. During World War II, he joined the Royal Navy in 1940, an experience that would later influence his writing.
Golding's literary achievements earned him widespread recognition and accolades. In 1983, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his impactful contributions to the literary world. Notably, his novel "The Rites of Passage," part of the "To the Ends of Earth" trilogy alongside "Close Quarters" and "Fire Down Below," received the prestigious Booker Prize in 1980. Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988 and esteemed as a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Golding's legacy endures through his compelling storytelling and profound exploration of humanity's darkest facets. His works, including "Lord of the Flies" and "Darkness Visible," draw inspiration from timeless literary classics, demonstrating his mastery of language and depth of insight into the human condition.
Introduction to Novel
"Lord of the Flies," a 1954 dystopian novel by William Golding, follows a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island who attempt to govern themselves, resulting in disastrous consequences. The title of the novel alludes to Beelzebub, another name for the devil, symbolizing the boys' descent into chaos and savagery. Initially rejected by 56 publishers, the book was eventually accepted by Faber and Faber, marking the beginning of its worldwide success. Golding's novel serves as a response to R.M. Ballantyne's youth novel "The Coral Island," which presents a contrasting, idyllic portrayal of island life. Characters like Ralph, Jack, and Simon embody different aspects of human nature, with Ralph representing rationality, Piggy pragmatism, Jack savagery, and Simon innocence, adding depth to the novel's exploration of the darker side of humanity.
Character Map
The novel opens with a British plane crashing near an isolated island in the Pacific Ocean. The only survivors are a group of boys in their middle childhood, including the protagonists Ralph, aged 12 and Piggy, and the antagonist Jack.
Ralph finds a conch shell and uses it to summon all the survivors. He is elected as their chief, with the primary goals of having fun, surviving, and maintaining a smoke signal to alert passing ships. Jack is made responsible for obtaining food, while Simon is tasked with constructing shelters.
The boys believe there is a beast on the island, but Ralph dismisses their fears. One night, a dead pilot parachutes onto the island during an aerial battle. Sam and Eric mistake the pilot for the beast, leading to a misunderstanding.
Simon envisions the decapitated pig's head swarming with flies as the "Lord of the Flies," which seemingly speaks to him. Later, the boys mistake Simon for the beast and violently kill him in a tragic case of mistaken identity.
Jack and Ralph form separate groups, with Ralph accompanied by Piggy, Sam, and Eric. Jack's group becomes increasingly savage, attacking Ralph's camp to steal Piggy's glasses (which they need to make fire) and planning to hunt Ralph.
Piggy, who represents scientific rationality, asserts that "Life is Scientific" and invents a sundial for the boys to tell time. When Jack attacks, Piggy pleads for rules and rescue over hunting and destruction, but Roger, Jack's cruel lieutenant, kills Piggy by rolling a boulder onto him.
Thank you.
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