William Golding’s classic novel, “Lord of the Flies,” is a powerful exploration of the inherent nature of humanity. But what is the main message of Lord of the Flies? The book’s main message revolves around the age-old conflict between two opposing instincts that exist within every person: the desire to live according to established rules and principles, maintain peace, and prioritize the greater good of society, and the urge to satisfy one’s own wants and needs, use violence to gain control, and assert dominance over others. Through the experiences of a group of young boys stranded on an uninhabited island, Golding provides a thought-provoking commentary on the real world balance between civilization and savagery that lies within us all. In this article, we will explore the central message of “Lord of the Flies” and examine how it continues to resonate with readers even six decades after its publication.
What is the main message of Lord of the Flies? (Answered)
Lord of the Flies is a timeless classic written by William Golding and first published in 1954. The novel is a powerful exploration of the human psyche and the inherent nature of humanity. But what is the main message of Lord of the Flies? The main message of the novel is the conflict between two opposing instincts that exist within every person: the desire to live by rules, act peacefully, follow moral commands, and prioritize the good of the community, and the urge to satisfy one’s own wants and needs, use violence to gain control, and assert dominance over others.
The story revolves around a group of young boys who find themselves stranded on an uninhabited island after a plane crash. At first, the boys attempt to establish a functioning society based on rules and cooperation. However, as time passes and the constraints of civilization begin to slip away, the boys’ true human nature is revealed. The initial desire for social order and cooperation gives way to violence and chaos as the boys struggle to assert dominance over one another.
Golding masterfully uses the experiences of the boys on the island to show the delicate balance between civilization and savagery that exists within all of us. The novel warns against the dangers of allowing our baser instincts to take control and the importance of maintaining order and rules in society. Through the characters and their actions, Golding shows how quickly civilized society can devolve into chaos when rules are disregarded and individuals prioritize their own desires above the good of the group.
The central message of Lord of the Flies is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written. The main theme of the conflict between social order and chaos, and the importance of maintaining rules and morality in society, continues to resonate with readers of all ages. The novel is a powerful reminder of the dangers of giving in to our darker impulses and the importance of working together to maintain a functioning and peaceful society.
What is Golding’s purpose in Lord of the Flies?
William Golding’s purpose in writing Lord of the Flies was to demonstrate that evil is not limited to specific groups of people or situations. Through his portrayal of a group of British schoolboys stranded on an uninhabited island and their descent into savagery, Golding illustrates how even well-behaved individuals can succumb to their darker impulses when faced with extreme circumstances. By showing that the boys’ behavior is not simply a result of their inherent nature, but also a product of their environment and social dynamics, Golding suggests that anyone is capable of committing acts of violence and cruelty under the right conditions. Ultimately, Golding’s message is a warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of maintaining social order and morality in any society.
What does the Lord of the Flies symbolize?
The Lord of the Flies, which is the pig’s head on a stick, symbolizes the devil. This is made clear when Simon has a hallucination and sees the pig’s head, which is also known as the Lord of the Flies, speaking to him. The pig’s head tells Simon that it is the beast and that it exists within all human beings. This suggests that evil exists within all humans and can take over when there are no rules or authority to control it. Therefore, The Lord of the Flies symbolizes how easily humans can be corrupted by power and how evil can flourish in a society without rules and order.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the main message of Lord of the Flies is a warning against the dangerous consequences that can arise when individuals prioritize their own wants and needs over the greater good of society. William Golding expertly portrays the internal struggle between two opposing drives present in all humans through the lives of the young boys on the island. These two drives are the desire to abide by rules, maintain peace, uphold moral principles, and prioritize the well-being of the community, and the impulse to satisfy personal desires and resort to violence to gain power. The novel is a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining social order and rules in a civilized society and the dangers of allowing our darker impulses to take control. As such, Lord of the Flies continues to be relevant and thought-provoking even after six decades since its publication and serves as a cautionary tale for future generations.