What is Coral Island in Lord of the Flies? If you’re reading Lord of the Flies, you might notice that the characters mention something called Coral Island. This isn’t just a passing reference, as Coral Island is a novel that’s directly referenced and alluded to by William Golding throughout his book. In this article, we’ll explore what Coral Island is, why Golding includes it, and how it helps us better understand the themes in Lord of the Flies.
What is Coral Island in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, Coral Island is a novel that is directly referenced and alluded to by William Golding. The Coral Island is an adventure book by R.M. Ballantyne, in which a group of British boys are stranded on a deserted island but manage to remain civilized and work together to survive. Golding mentions it early on when Ralph says, “This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grown-ups come to fetch us we’ll have fun.” This line echoes the cheerful tone of The Coral Island.
However, Golding uses Coral Island as a contrast to his own story. While Ballantyne’s characters stay innocent and cooperative, the boys in Lord of the Flies descend into chaos and savagery. By referencing Coral Island, Golding highlights just how different their experience becomes: “Jolly good show. Like the Coral Island.” The mention of this book helps readers see that Golding is challenging the optimistic view of human nature found in classic adventure stories, showing instead how quickly things can fall apart without rules and order.
What is The Coral Island allusion in Lord of the Flies?
The Coral Island allusion in Lord of the Flies appears when Golding writes, “Ralph said nothing. Here was a coral island. Protected from the sun, ignoring Piggy’s ill-omened talk, he dreamed pleasantly.” This moment refers to The Coral Island, a classic adventure story, and also alludes to the Garden of Eden, symbolizing Adam’s innocence before gaining knowledge of good and evil. Golding uses this reference to highlight the boys’ initial innocence on the island before things start to fall apart.
What happens in The Coral Island?
The Coral Island is about three young British boys who are shipwrecked on a deserted island. They create their own society and way of life, facing challenges and meeting both missionaries and so-called savages along the way. By the end of the story, the boys are rescued and return home, having grown wiser and more mature from their adventure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Coral Island is a novel that is directly referenced and alluded to by William Golding in Lord of the Flies. By mentioning this classic adventure story, Golding shows the big difference between its hopeful view of people and the darker events that happen on his own island. This reference helps deepen our understanding of what Golding is trying to say about civilization, innocence, and the true nature of humanity.