...Lord of the Flies Full book report 1. A person’s behaviour is determined by several causes through out his life. The phase already begins when we are born. As a child we’re taught how to behave by our parents. Later on our teachers and surroundings influence our behaviour towards a more and more civilized one. In a society we’re kept as civilized as possible by following rules and laws. If we as human beings are placed away from a society, will we be able to maintain our civilized characters, or will we become savaged barbarians? This is the theme William Golding creates in his novel The Lord of the Flies from 1954. Golding takes his readers on a journey, where he shows what mankind is capable of doing through youngsters. The question is: can the young kids maintain civilization? 2.c. The Lord of the Flies is a novel about a group of young boys who crash on an island. While they’re stuck on the island they manage to establish some order and civilization by choosing a leader and by using a conch shell to arrange meetings between the boys. The established civilization crumbles as the book goes on because some of the boys can’t control their animalistic qualities. The boys waddle between the human instinct of savagery and the civilized ways of order, which they’re taught from home. Despite the fact that they try to establish order they become more and more drawn towards savagery throughout the book. The sow’s head and the conch shell are both symbols of power, but...
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...10 February 2015 Lord of the Flies Essay "Humanity has evil tendenc[ies] within its nature" (David Wilson). Jack, a choir boy from England, represents the evil incarnate and explains that within human nature, evil lies in oneself even when it is not projected. In Golding's Lord of the Flies, Jack, the Devil Figure, expresses the ideas about one's inner evil as he evolves from a choir leader to a ruthless varmint while spending time on a deserted island. In the beginning of Lord of the Flies, Jack, who emerges from the jungle dressed in black, possesses a dominant trait of a controlling personality. When Ralph first blows the sound of the conch, Jack and his choir come from the jungle, and as they approach Ralph, Jack tells them to "stand still" (Golding 20). The reader can identify his authoritative nature as he demands these words, which establishes his significance and rule in the choir, and the other boys can sense this superiority as well. Moreover, the audience can analyze that Jack has a manipulative influence in the novel due to the fact that he claims he "ought to be chief because [he is]...head boy"; therefore, he is making himself out to be the most qualified for the position as he points out his role of control in the choir (Golding 22). Likewise, the other boys on the island describe Jack to be "the most obvious leader," which in return proves to the reader that Jack's commanding attitude is not the only reason that defines him as a leader; the other boys' perspective...
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...uninhabited island. A group of English schoolboys survive, including a boy named Piggy and another named Jack. Although these two boys are put in the same environment they act completely differently, but why? William Golding's Lord of the Flies teaches us that regardless of the situation, we will act according to who we are and what we value. There are different factors that contribute to who we are and our values. In Lord of the Flies, when comparing all the characters, Piggy and Jack stand out. They seem to be the most different or the opposite of each other. When Piggy is introduced, he is a fat boy with glasses and asthma. His parents died and back in Great Britain, he lives with his auntie. His name is also Piggy, not the most decent name, and he even declares, “I don’t care what they call me...so long as they don’t call me what they used to call me in school...they used to call me Piggy!” (11). Automatically you feel...
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...Defying Order Proves Costly Who is God? The answer has been sought for millennia. If one thing is certain, it is that He is the most intelligent and powerful being in the universe. God is a designation used to represent the highest authority over everything. Although many people may not be religious or even believe in God, artists may use a supernatural being allegorically, perhaps God or the Devil, in their works to represent order. In Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding, a group of boys become stranded on a deserted paradise island after their plane is shot down out of the sky. On this island it would appear a higher power is controlling the order. They boys start out civil by creating a political democracy, and are as children without sin. Sin, like adulthood or corruption, then enters into the group and the group is destroyed. The political structure the boys establish when they first meet on the island is also destroyed in the process. The group descends into chaos, with Simon and Piggy as casualties. In the end, Jack, the primary exponent of sin, burns down the island while hunting Ralph, which allows for the boys’ rescue. Despite being rescued, it was clear the boys were changed forever. Likewise, in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth (1606), the country of Scotland is portrayed to be organized under the order of a higher being; a king. When Macbeth, a highly regarded thane, is tempted by a prophecy of being king, he acts on his temptation. Macbeth then becomes king...
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...'LORD OF THE FLIES' by William Golding “Revision notes can never replace knowing the books thoroughly” J.W.Evans These notes should be used as pointers to the directions that your thoughts might take. They are not meant to replace your reading of the novel, you must still do that yourself.. CHARACTERISATION Never forget that we are talking about a group of boys whose maximum age is twelve. RALPH Does he represent all that is good in people? Tall, fair-skinned, blond hair, very athletic, natural leader although not that good a leader as many of his decisions are questionable, which ones?. He is middle-class, father a naval officer. Elected leader but not forceful enough to maintain position. Eventually he loses support and is reduced to the status of an outcast who must flee for his life. Ralph is an idealist and a dreamer. He needs Piggy to think for him. He finds the Conch but Piggy tells him how to use it. At the end of the book, he is a disillusioned realist who now sees his world and its inhabitants for what they are. JACK MERRIDEW Does he represent the worst in people? He is thin, tall, with red hair, light blue eyes and freckles. Leader of the choir, he becomes the leader of the hunters. Increasingly in conflict with Ralph and more particularly, Piggy, he breaks away, forms his own tribe and splits the group. He manages to get the support to do this by offering the boys the attraction of the hunting life and then by terrorising them. In the...
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...Law and rules shape the foundation for civilization which is necessary to keep the darker side of human nature in order. The lawless country of Somalia in East Africa demonstrates that without an affective form of government and the restraints of civilization, the behavior of people will regress to their savage beginnings. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies explores the theme of civilization to savagery through the usage of symbolism to portray the premise that children are savages by nature and without adult guidance or supervision; their entire darker side will manifest itself in full force. The consequential regression of the boys from civilization to savagery is symbolized by the use of the conch, fire, and Piggy’s glasses. First of all, the conch shell manages to demonstrate civilization to savagery through its ability to establish order to build a civilization, lose its power and deteriorate civilization, and shatter to eliminate civilization. In the beginning, the conch is used to establish and uphold order and peace on the island, playing a key role in forming and maintaining a civilization. Ralph uses the conch and his leadership to summon the others, have meetings and delegate positions, assign power, and set rules such as: “[Giving] the conch to the next person to speak” (Golding 31). By adhering to the set of rules regarding the conch shell, the boys still maintain their civilized way of living back at home where there is the existence of government and laws...
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...How often do we find ourselves modifying our own image because of the opinions of others around us? Do we live in a world of disguise? William Golding wrote a novel called The Lord Of The Flies, that shows how we as humans in society put on a mask that conceals us from both good and evil qualities. He explains and shows how things that happen in this life are not at all what they always seem to be. He expresses how humans hide their true selves and perhaps even change their appearance, for the purpose of making others think differently about them. In the selection, The Lord Of The Flies, William Goulding ties in a similar topic- creating a mask so that others become oblivious as to what we are hiding underneath. In the first chapter of the...
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...Ryan Newell Lord of the Flies Essay Period 5 Word Count: 1662 Lord of the Flies is a classic story of good versus evil, or civilization versus savagery, and symbolism plays a major role in the development of the story. A major symbol is the conch shell. Discovered early in the story, it became an important fixture in the boys’ lives on the island. Throughout the story, it symbolized society and authority – and served to maintain a sense of civilization. When the conch shell broke near the end of the story, the last aspects of civilization on the island and within the boys had disappeared. The conch was first discovered among the ‘ferny weeds’ by Ralph and Piggy as they explored the island. Even taking the conch shell out of the weeds required Ralph to use civilized techniques – to achieve civilization, mankind had to be smart enough to develop rudimentary technology. The author portrayed this through the way Ralph got the conch: “The palm sapling, bending, pushed the shell across the weeds. Ralph used one hand as a fulcrum and pressed down with the other till the shell rose, dripping, and Piggy could make a grab.” (16) Ralph created a simple tool to achieve what he wanted, to get the conch shell (civilization). The fragility of civilization is also foreshadowed, when Piggy says, “Careful! You’ll break it–” (14) Although he is talking about the tangible shell in this instance, his comment may also be seen as referring to the instability of society, and how quickly and...
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...refute common fallacies in the assumption that global warming is caused by manmade CO2 emissions. The Science and Public Policy Institute define themselves as a lobbying group with a mission to “provide research and educational material dedicated to sound public policy based on sound science” (“About us”). The president, Robert Ferguson brings 26 years of Capitol Hill experience as Chief of Staff of several congressmen (“Robert Ferguson (Science and Public Policy Institute)”). Their Chief policy advisor (specializing in climate issues) is Lord Monckton, Christopher. He served as a special advisor to Margaret Thatcher and established a successful corporation offering consulting and technical advice to corporations and governments (“Christopher Monckton”). Science Advisor William Kininmonth, a consulting climatologist who worked for the Australian Bureau of Meteorology for 38 years as a weather forecaster (“William Kininmonth”). Science Advisor Robert Carter, he is a palaeontologist and marine biologist with over 30 years professional experience (“Professor Robert M. Carter-ICSC Chief Science Advisor”). Science Advisor Craig Idso, who serves as chairman of the Board of Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change (“Craig Idso”). Meteorology Advisor Joe D’Aleo, Ph.D., has over 35 years in...
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...conditions of life are extremely bad due to oppression, or terror. Science fiction (particularly post-apocalyptic science fiction and cyberpunk stories set in an imaginary future world controlled by technology and computers) often feature dystopias. Common traits of Dystopian fiction: The setting is the future, but often with contemporary social trends taken to extremes incorporated on purpose. A hierarchical society where there are unbending and definitive divisions between the upper, middle and lower class Society is conditioned to fear the outside world, and one of the methods for achieving this is the restriction of information and freedom. A corrupt authoritarian and totalitarian government creates or sustains the poor quality of life This government makes people believe that society is proper and just, even perfect. State propaganda makes citizens worship the state the leader of the state and the government. There is strict conformity among citizens and the general assumption that having opinions and individuality is bad The penal system often employs psychological or physical torture Violence, cruelty and aggressiveness are always present. Dystopias are frequently written as warnings, or as social satire, criticizing a current trend, norm or political system. In order for the dystopia to have an effect on the reader, the author uses characteristics of every day society so that the reader knows what he’s talking about. Therefore, the society portrayed...
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...Power to Pandemonium In the Loss of Innocence novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, power turns into pandemonium.Young British boys, big and small, land on an island when a plane full of students, trying to escape World War II, crashes. With no adults and no knowledge of what exactly happened, they create their own society and organize themselves as best they can. When they lose their innocence, they all revert to a state of savagery, and chaos takes control of the land. Power among the boys shifts throughout their time on the island, starting out with no order at all then soon turning into a democracy with Ralph as the presidential figure and afterward transforming into a dictatorship where Jack was “King” and the most death and barbarity took place. When the boys first learn they are...
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...As humans we pride ourselves on being civil and intelligent beings, but what happens when that is taken away? According to William Golding author of The Lord of the Flies we become cruel and savage. A conch shell is the boys way of settling law and order, so they don't de-evolve to this state. With this shell they are ready to start a society doomed to fail because of the conch.When Piggy and Ralph find the conch shell it is empty meaning the creature inside it has passed on. The conch, which was created by death,helped lead a group of boys into a doomed society. To them death is now a symbol of power. They chose the leader based on who controlled the conch, who controlled death. When the boys are picking their leader they make a point of saying "'Let him be the chief with the trumpet thing' Ralph raised a hand for silence." (Golding,William 22). Already he showing the qualities of a leader and they are following because he has the conch, he wields death. They are following death. Not only are they following death, but they are following the person who controls it. This foreshadows the failure and loss their society will...
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...Character Comparison Between Ralph – Lord of The Flies And Mike – Kid’s Nation TV Program By Cameron Hale-Sanders The reason that I picked both these characters is that they both represent the theme of trying to maintain civilization and order. I will compare Ralph and Mike to show that as leaders, they are very different and very alike. I will start with Ralph to explain his qualities as a leader. Ralph is a character that believes that they will be rescued by the navy because his father will come looking for him when he notices that his son's plane has gone missing. Ralph knows that they will be not be rescued unless there is a signal fire to let rescuers know where they are. Ralph thinks of the fire as one of the only ways to be rescued. The fire means salvation. In the novel, Ralph starts out as a leader to the whole group of stranded kids. He is a good leader for many reasons. He seems to understand people and that the boys need rules to survive on the island. Ralph creates rules that the boys need to follow. He keeps the boys organized by giving them all jobs that will help everyone on the island. He gives Samneric the most important job of keeping the fire alive, Jack and the choir as the hunters, and piggy as a care-taker of the littluns. Ralph is trying to maintain order by giving all the boys different jobs that helps all of them. He takes a great deal of control and is the first to step up in a situation to help make sure everyone is safe on the island...
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...In the "Lord of the Flies" the readers sees the school boys lose control of the situation due to youthful inexperience. William Golding interprets this to give it a deeper meaning, describing the breakdown as a reveal of human nature and its desire to break through society's regulations. Virtue rapidly descends and the naivety of the dangers clears away, the fight for survival is not of the physically demanding aspect but of the mind. Golding illustrates loss of innocence in character development, in the lack of democracy, and symbolism as a result of the struggle between civilization versus savagery. Initial impressions of the main characters tell the readers of the immaturity of the mass, excluding Piggy.1 The severe lack of panic that is replaced with joyful curiosity foreshadows mass turn of events that will soon turn the perceived island paradise into a dystopian land. The first character that leads the rest into a domino effect of savagery is Jack. He starts of hunting and insists the urgency of meat in contrast of the fire. Priority is given to surviving on the...
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...James Coates Mrs. Kopcak English May 10, 2006 Angels Angels were a major part of ancient civilizations, but how did the whole myth about angels start and has it changed over the years? How does the past compare to today’s world? Are there different classes of angels? What are their jobs, what do their jobs have them doing? The word 'angel' comes from the Greek angelos, which itself could be considered as a translation of the Hebrew word mal'akh, meaning 'messenger', suggesting that a being responsible for carrying messages between the human world and some other realm or realms of existence, someone who is an intermediary between 'down here' and 'up there'. The origins of angels, started back in ancient Sumeria. The Sumerian society is the oldest society that has left us clear evidence of the use of a winged human motif. This evidence is in the form of stone carvings, either in the form of three-D statues or relief carvings that provide the illusion of three-dimensionality. The religion of these people was complex, embracing a wide variety of spirits and gods, but of particular interest was their belief in 'messengers of the gods', angelic forces who ran errands between gods and humans. The Sumerians also believed that each person had a 'ghost' of some sort (what we would now probably label as 'guardian angel') with this entity remaining a constant companion for a person throughout their life. After the polytheistic Semitic tribes had conquered the Sumerians around 1900...
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