Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies

Last of the AllegoriesLast of the AllegoriesS. George/English II Pre-APS. George/English II Pre-AP

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesWhat is an ALLEGORY?What is an ALLEGORY? A figure of rhetoricA figure of rhetoric The use of symbols to portray a moral or The use of symbols to portray a moral or

messagemessage Fables or parables are short allegories Fables or parables are short allegories

with one definite messagewith one definite message Example: “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”Example: “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”In this fable, the boy is an allegory for children In this fable, the boy is an allegory for children

who do not tell the truth and are not believed who do not tell the truth and are not believed in the endin the end

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesAllegory VS. SymbolAllegory VS. Symbol They are similar, but an allegory is They are similar, but an allegory is

sustained longer, and is more fully sustained longer, and is more fully detailed. detailed. Example: Example: In LOTF, Piggy’s glasses symbolize In LOTF, Piggy’s glasses symbolize

intellect and knowledge.intellect and knowledge. Example: Example: In LOTF, the allegory of Piggy’s In LOTF, the allegory of Piggy’s

glasses express the eventual and glasses express the eventual and unavoidable decline of mankind when faced unavoidable decline of mankind when faced with terms of survival. with terms of survival.

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesThe Role of an AllegoryThe Role of an Allegory Allegories were the method of choice for Allegories were the method of choice for

education many years ago. Why? education many years ago. Why? EntertainmentEntertainment Easy to remember = Easy to pass onEasy to remember = Easy to pass on Underlying principles were used for teaching Underlying principles were used for teaching

lessonslessons

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesThe Decline of the AllegoryThe Decline of the Allegory We are a LITERALISTIC CULTURE We are a LITERALISTIC CULTURE

grounded in an era of INSTANT grounded in an era of INSTANT GRATIFICATION (that including the GRATIFICATION (that including the information we receive). We are tired of information we receive). We are tired of figuring out “the message,” rather, we figuring out “the message,” rather, we want it clearly delivered upfront. want it clearly delivered upfront. Proves why allegories are difficult to comprehendProves why allegories are difficult to comprehend LOTF is one of the last novels to have substantial LOTF is one of the last novels to have substantial

allegoriesallegories

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesAllegory Exposed in LOTFAllegory Exposed in LOTF Political Allegory Political Allegory (think: WWII, Cold War, (think: WWII, Cold War,

atomic destruction)atomic destruction) Psychological Allegory Psychological Allegory (think: human (think: human

psyche)psyche) Religious Allegory Religious Allegory (think: Garden of (think: Garden of

Eden, Christ-like characters, God VS. Eden, Christ-like characters, God VS. Satan)Satan)

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesPolitical AllegoryPolitical Allegory The world was divided into two “camps”: The world was divided into two “camps”:

Free World VS. Soviet Union. Which Free World VS. Soviet Union. Which characters represent these two camps? characters represent these two camps?

The Cold War brought about fears of The Cold War brought about fears of atomic destruction – those of which were atomic destruction – those of which were materialized in LOTF.materialized in LOTF.

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesPsychological AllegoryPsychological Allegory Freudian Understanding of the Human Psyche:Freudian Understanding of the Human Psyche:

The Id: The part of the unconscious mind that The Id: The part of the unconscious mind that works to gratify its own impulses. Character?works to gratify its own impulses. Character?

The Superego: Part of the mind that seeks to The Superego: Part of the mind that seeks to control impulsive behavior (of the Id). Character?control impulsive behavior (of the Id). Character?

The Ego: Part of the mind that mediates between The Ego: Part of the mind that mediates between the Id’s demand for pleasure and the controlled the Id’s demand for pleasure and the controlled thoughts of the Superego. Character?thoughts of the Superego. Character?

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesReligious AllegoryReligious Allegory The Garden of Eden = the islandThe Garden of Eden = the island

Describes the perfect living condition with Describes the perfect living condition with food/water, good weather, etc. Favorable food/water, good weather, etc. Favorable details show its (close-to) “perfect” state: details show its (close-to) “perfect” state: UTOPIA. UTOPIA.

Golding portrays this “Eden” with a sense of Golding portrays this “Eden” with a sense of evil at the same time to create a foreboding of evil at the same time to create a foreboding of something terrible. The island ends up in a something terrible. The island ends up in a state of misery: DYSTOPIA. state of misery: DYSTOPIA.

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesReligious AllegoryReligious Allegory Piggy = the “fall” of mankindPiggy = the “fall” of mankind Lord of the Flies = Satan/evil (living inside Lord of the Flies = Satan/evil (living inside

mankind)mankind) Simon = quiet/observer; always does good to Simon = quiet/observer; always does good to

benefit others (littluns); used as the sacrificial benefit others (littluns); used as the sacrificial lamb; he is the Christ-like symbol. His lamb; he is the Christ-like symbol. His encounter with the Lord of the Flies is encounter with the Lord of the Flies is important because it represents something important because it represents something pure/good VS. evil in its worst form (Satan). pure/good VS. evil in its worst form (Satan).

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesName MeaningsName Meanings Ralph = Anglo-Saxon word meaning, “council”Ralph = Anglo-Saxon word meaning, “council” Piggy = vulnerability comparable to vulnerability of Piggy = vulnerability comparable to vulnerability of

pigs on the island; how much the other boys dislike pigs on the island; how much the other boys dislike him because of his intelligence (pigs = smart)him because of his intelligence (pigs = smart)

Jack = Hebrew word, “Yakov,” meaning “one who Jack = Hebrew word, “Yakov,” meaning “one who deceives” or “one who takes over”deceives” or “one who takes over”

Simon = Hebrew word, “one who listens,” “one who Simon = Hebrew word, “one who listens,” “one who observes,” was one of Christ’s disciplesobserves,” was one of Christ’s disciples

Roger = “famous with the spear”Roger = “famous with the spear” Satan = Greek name translated to = Beelzebub = Satan = Greek name translated to = Beelzebub =

translated to “Lord of the Flies” (the pig’s head translated to “Lord of the Flies” (the pig’s head surrounded by flies)surrounded by flies)

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesThe The IslandIsland and the and the real worldreal world

Examine the Examine the microcosmmicrocosm…… The island is a representation of what is happening The island is a representation of what is happening

in the outside world. Destruction and chaos are in the outside world. Destruction and chaos are imitated within the “society” set up by the boys. imitated within the “society” set up by the boys.

Isn’t it ironic…Isn’t it ironic… Without realizing it, the boys have created the Without realizing it, the boys have created the

same society from which they were being same society from which they were being protected. protected.

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegoriesMajor Themes in LOTFMajor Themes in LOTF Darkness of the heart is an innate human Darkness of the heart is an innate human

traittrait Anarchy and savagery are direct results of Anarchy and savagery are direct results of

man’s inability to follow society’s set rulesman’s inability to follow society’s set rules Our morals are a direct result of our Our morals are a direct result of our

surroundings – if our environment fails, our surroundings – if our environment fails, our morals fail, and the human race/civilization morals fail, and the human race/civilization ultimately fails. ultimately fails.

LOTF: Last of the LOTF: Last of the AllegoriesAllegories TASK 1TASK 1: Lord of the Flies is an Allegorical : Lord of the Flies is an Allegorical

Novel. What do the following represent? Novel. What do the following represent? (Provide textual evidence.)(Provide textual evidence.)

Ralph/Piggy/Simon/Jack/Roger/Conch/Ralph/Piggy/Simon/Jack/Roger/Conch/Glasses/Island/Beast/Lord of the FliesGlasses/Island/Beast/Lord of the Flies

TASK 2TASK 2: Answer the following question using : Answer the following question using textual evidence and be prepared to discuss textual evidence and be prepared to discuss with the class: with the class:

What happens literally to the boys, and What happens literally to the boys, and what is the author saying metaphorically what is the author saying metaphorically

about the structures of civilization?about the structures of civilization? TASK 3TASK 3: Debate the following hot topic in your : Debate the following hot topic in your

group and be prepared to discuss with the class: group and be prepared to discuss with the class: Is man born with an innate sense of Is man born with an innate sense of

good… or an innate sense of evil?good… or an innate sense of evil?