Lord of the Flies

- This is an amazing book by an amazing author. Golding always had a deep respect for mankind and worked with children his whole life as a teacher, but as a soldier in coming across the concentration camps of Beson and witnessing firsthand what man could do to his fellow humans, he was never the same and his faith in humanity significantly change as I’m sure it would be for anybody. And returning to teaching he would write this book on notepads, being aware when he came across the what the Nazi’s had done, wondering if that there could be a piece of this in him also. - I also heard on the radio how the book when William Golding sent in the publishers to read that it had many rejections until that eventually it ended in Faber and Faber publishing (although I can’t find further evidence), I do recall a radio story where one of the editors gave the book to one of the cleaners who regularly read them, and she returned saying get rid of the first 20 pages (Godling wrote an account of an atomic explosion which were subsequently removed from the final version of the book and started with Ralph and Piggy finding the island) and told the editor that he should publish it. When the editor read it, he was also transfixed to the story, and I was too. I find it amazing that some people find the story boring or dull. In showing how white male boys can act justice savage as anything else depicted in literature or reality, shows a that any of us could be capable of barbaric acts and tribal warfare. I think William Golding was a remarkable writer. I have also read The Spire and Pincher Martin which is one of the most amazing surprise endings in all literature) and I will read them more. Definitely an author who deserved his Nobel Prize for literature and one of my favourites.

A really good quality book that I enjoyed from start to finish, excellent read. However, there is one problem with it which really annoyed me. In the 6 page foreword by Stephen King, he explains how lucky you are if you're reading the book for the first time, and then he basically gives away a massive spoiler of how the book ends, without warning. Thanks Stephen King. 5/5 without the foreword.

Great read

This book is one of those reads that pulls you in, shakes you about a bit, and leaves you thinking long after you’ve put it down. Rushdie’s writing is rich, layered, and sometimes a bit wild — but in the best way. You get sharp humour, surreal moments, and chapters that feel like they slip between dreams and reality without warning. It’s definitely not a light read, but that’s part of what makes it so memorable. The characters feel alive, the themes hit deep, and the storytelling is bold enough that you can’t help but admire it. Whether you agree with everything in it or not, the creativity and craftsmanship are undeniable. A challenging, powerful novel that rewards you for sticking with it.

I bought this book as I was told to read this as it is a classic book. Well I found it very confusing at first, there was no information on how they had landed upon this island and what ever happened to the plane they were supposed to be on. It was also confusing as to why a plane load of kids would be flying over or near a war zone in the first place. I suppose a child would enjoy this because it is basically a book about children running amok on a dessert island who don’t have a clue about survival except to bully everyone into submission just to please the older kids. Disappointed because it also ends quite abruptly too with again no explanation as to the repercussions or there actions. Strange book indeed.

Ok, I will get straight to the point. I had to read this novel as part of my Y11 English literature exam of 2012. And I must say that for a piece of school work it isn't as bad as I expected. It's better that 'To kill a mocking jay' or 'Inspector something...' Every character is a boy abandoned on an island away from civilisation, which is both a blessing and a curse. There are many twists and turns, and eventually you begin to feel for the characters and their troubles. Overall I would say buy a copy of the boy like I did, simply so that you can highlight quotes that become important like; (all from memory) - colours of corruption (dead parachutist) - complication of lines (dead parachutist) - blush of mortification (Jack) - The fair boy - (Ralph) - Inward sight of a beast at once heroic and sick (Simon's narrative) (FROM MY ESSAYS) Lord of the Flies key quotes: * There rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick * A dark creature fumbling along (foreshadowing) * The Lord of the Flies: "Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!" * Lord of the Flies: "This is ridiculous. You know perfectly well you'll only meet me down there - so don't try to escape!" * "A stick sharpened at both ends" This is a paradoxical metaphor symbolising that death is inevitable. Ralph, thinking to himself: "There was no solemn assembly for debate nor dignity of the conch." * "Colours of corruption" * "Jack was bent double." * `Bollocks to the rules!' Use of taboo language personify the fact that Jack is no longer a mere child - he is a strong ruthless commander and a dictator who is highly nationalist that doesn't have respect for rules - Jack is actually interested in breaking the rules and the coarse of punishment. * `A blush of mortification' Jack is extremely quickly tempted and solemnly believes that he has the right to be chief - yet, the others disagree with him. * `Wedded to her in blood and lust' `In colour the shell was deep cream, touched here and there with fading pink... slight spiral twist and covered with delicate embossed pattern.' (long complex imagery and elegant fragile imagery and sibilance significantly portray that the conch is very precious and is the key to fairness and hope on the island. The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. `But there was no more to come. Percival Wemys Madison sought in his head for an incantation that had faded clean away.' `Complication of lines' `Jack trod with theatrical caution' Ralph returned to his own personal hells (he dismisses Simon - and Ralph especially is excessively naïve by consistently ignoring those people that could potentially save him from himself if only he'd take the time to listen) `A mildness about his face that proclaimed no devil.' `devils of dust' (metaphor) `the sky loaded with stars' (poetic and violent imagery of a loaded gun) Jack's hunters - there voices had been a song of angels' (not anymore) Simon perched in the blazing sun in denial (degrading Jack is no longer referred to by name he is called `Chief') Simon peers down to the tribe `what else is there to do?' likewise to the way that the religion analogy figure of Moses looked down at his people before bringing the truth down from the mountain. * Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart and the fall through the air of the true wise friend called Piggy.' * `Fair boy' * `Snake thing' interlinks to the concepts of original bestowed from the Garden of Eden, with the evil relentlessness of temptation * `Lord of the Flies' the very title is a Arabic translation of the Devil. * `the crowd was as silence as death' the boys are horrified of the first death with the littlun with the birth mark - however when the time comes to kill Ralph there is a `deafening ululation' reflective of savages. * `A whiteness in the gloom' possibly portraying that Ralph still people that the boys purity (whiteness) is still existed but it is buried in the gloom of the beast. * `Simon was speaking almost in his ear' is slight prophetic and highly significant as it portrays that Simon is almost reflective of a voice from God. * `Just a game.' said ralph uneasily. * Jack: `I'm not going to play anymore' * `Desperately, Ralph prayed that the beast would prefer littluns.' Golding cleverly conveys that Ralph is simple realistic child that even though he is a `fair' democrat he still obtains the natural instincts of Darwinism `survival of the fittest'. * Navel Officer: `Jolly good show.' Ralph is morally superior in comparison to the Naval Officer because Ralph now comprehends the true nature of the beast - he is no longer arrogant because he has forever lost his by the `fall through the air' and the loss of innocence by falling from grace. * `A sign came down from the world of the grown-ups. Although at the time no child was awake to read it.' * `urge to kill and destroy' (Simon's death uses sibilance adding to the hypnotic quality - along with the elegant imagery and the creature surrounding his head are beautiful and symbolic of a halo - Simon is at peace and has found tranquillity. However the lexical fields of `earth, sun and constellations' are very scientific sounding -effectively conveying that the island has begun to slowly loose hope and faith in the boys. Jack is representative of the Greek God Prometheus who similarly stole fire for his own selfish vindictive needs. Ralph cradled to conch and rocked himself to and fro. (Implying that Ralph is morally and mentally degrading down into a childlike manner - because children are simplistic and don't understand the events happening in there surrounding - likewise to protection mechanism. Jack's tribe uses primeval diction and language of `Chief...Holt who goes there... Advance' `You're a beast, a swine and a bloody bloody thief!' (brutal sound of `b' alliteration. Jack has full control `See, see they do what I tell them' - Dictator. Ralph: `someone else's legs ran for him' Ralph is transfixed in a mental state of utter hysteria he simply cannot cope or understand the situation. Ralph remembers Simon's prophecy `Don't scream.' `You'll get back' Thereby when Ralph is on the verge of death and total devastation his conscience reliefs him and gives him a source of hope - and the will to carry and try desperately to survive. `The ululation faltering and died away' At the sight of the naval officer (adult) the boys are the island are instantly reminded of their place in the societies hierarchy. `Infected by emotion.' Cleverly expresses that against all their barbarian crimes of murder the boys are still liable to human emotions of guilt and love. Hope this helps, I also suggest buying a revision guide it helped me a lot! Good luck if you have the same exam, remember don't worry, stay calm, read the question and answer it. Mine was something along the lines of 'How does Golding present the theme of death on the island.' And I wrote able Jack's violent slaughtering of the mother pig, Simon's death using lots of sibilance and pathetic fallacy and religious imagery, and Piggy's death that is uses very simple factual nouns that depict and illustrate to the reader that piggy was a simple factual intelligent boy. Here are some language tips - connectives; moreover likewise alternatively henceforth / hence Furthermore Similarily additionally by constrast Indeed with regards on the contrary Here are other uses of higher degree language; depicts illustrates demonstrates mirrors articulates reflects symbolises portrays depicts conveys presents expresses implies Good Luck once again! :)

Not an enjoyable read, but an unforgettable one. Lord of the Flies drags you straight into the ugliest bits of human nature and refuses to look away. A vicious study in fear, groupthink, and what happens when there are no consequences. Disturbing, clever, and deeply British in the worst way.

Lord of the Flies is an absolute masterpiece that has left an indelible mark on literature. William Golding's exploration of the dark underbelly of human nature is both disturbing and thought-provoking. This novel, set on a deserted island where a group of boys must fend for themselves, delves deep into the complexities of power, morality, and the fragility of civilization. Golding's ability to portray the descent into chaos and savagery is both chilling and brilliantly executed. What struck me the most about Lord of the Flies is its enduring relevance. Although it was written over half a century ago, the themes it addresses remain painfully pertinent today. The characters and their actions serve as a stark reminder of the potential for cruelty that lies within us all. Golding's writing is hauntingly beautiful, drawing you into the heart of the island and the minds of the boys. This is a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page, forcing you to confront the darkness that can lurk within humanity. In short, Lord of the Flies is a must-read for anyone who appreciates literature that challenges the way we view society and human nature. It's a haunting tale that will make you ponder the depths of human depravity and the fragility of civilization. I can't recommend this book enough, and I'm certain it will continue to be a timeless classic for generations to come.