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William Golding

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Golding is the master of symbolism. Nearly everything on the island serves a deeper

literary purpose:

x Piggys Glasses

x The Conch

x The Beast & Jacks Mask

x The Signal Fire

x The Severed Pigs Head

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x Piggys Glasses- The power of science and intellect

x The Conch- Democratic power; civilization and order

x The Signal Fire- A barometer of the boys connection

to societyx The Beast- Savagery that exists within all humans

x The Severed Pigs Head- The power of evil; Satan

figure.

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Not too distant futureduring a war that

involves atomic bombs

Plane is shot down during a violent storm the majority of the children survive; all the

adults are killed.

The storm washes away the plane.

The Scar

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You could see now that hemight make a boxer, as faras width and heaviness ofshoulders went, but therewas a mildness about hismouth and eyes thatproclaimed no devil.

Pay close attention to hisconflicts with Jack.

He is chosen as chief; mustmaintain rules.

Initially understands rightfrom wrong.

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He was thin and bony; and hishair was red beneath the blackcap. His face was crumpled andfreckled, and ugly without silliness.Out of this face stares two lightblue eyes, frustrated now, and

turning, or ready to turn, in anger.

From the beginning, Jack hatesrules.

Only cares about having a goodtime and hunting.

Watch his character develop;remember, he is attached tosocietys standards at the start ofthe novel

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Piggys physique andintelligence make him anoutcast; set up for ridicule. Fat, wears glasses, and

suffers from asthma.

Somewhat whiny, andphysically cant work.

Golding is sending a specificmessage about mankindthrough the treatment ofPiggy.

He knows right from wrongand will never stray from it.

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He was a small, skinny boy,his chin pointed, and his eyesso bright they had deceivedRalph into thinking himdelightfully gay and wicked.

Very important to severalthemes in the novel.

Introverted; doesnt likecrowds.

Says odd things at odd times;the other kids think hes crazy.

He makes the most importantdiscovery in the entirenovelpay attention to Simon!

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A slight, furtive boy whom noone knew, who kept to himselfwith an inner intensity andsecrecythe shock of blackhair, down his nape and low on

his forehead seemed to suit hisgloomy face and made whathad seemed at first anunsociable remoteness intosomething forbidding.

He is sadistic; he enjoys

inflicting pain. He and Jack have a close

relationship, born fromdarkness and anarchy.

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They breathed together,they grinned together,they were chunky andvitaltheir profiles were

blurred and their mouthspulled open.

They are so identical thatthey are given one name.

Their loyalty is integral toRalphs survival, buteveryones loyalty has alimit

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The ages of these boysare from four to six; muchyounger than thecharacters already

mentioned. They dont play a huge

role in the book, but theydo represent society as awhole.

The Littluns are the first tosee the beast, and cometo fear it.

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A number of parodies have been created

based on Goldings novel:

Spongebob Squarepants Club Spongebob The Simpsons Das Bus

Mark Burnetts reality television show Survivor.

Lost is also closely related to LOTF.