Concetti Chiave
- The author, originating from Cornwall and a former Royal Navy member, was a teacher and theatre writer during WWII, receiving the Nobel Prize before his death in 1993.
- His works, including "The Spire" and "The Lord of the Flies," explore human nature through imaginative scenarios, highlighting man's inherent evil and the malignancy of his creations.
- Key themes include the clash between man's civilized facade and his primitive instincts, often revealed in certain situations, alongside the use of symbols and revitalized myths.
- The plot of "The Lord of the Flies" involves boys stranded on a desert island, whose attempt to form a society devolves into chaos, critiquing the optimistic views of children's adventure novels like "Coral Island."
- The final excerpt describes the arrival of an officer who misinterprets the boys' chaos as a game, contrasting the boys' savage state with the officer's belief in the superiority of English civilization.
Biography and Career
He was born in Cornwall, he was a teacher and theatre writer during the Second World War. He was in the English Royal Navy in 1953. He received the Nobel Prize and died in 1993
* Works: The Spire, The lord of the flies, The Paper Man
* Main themes: he explorer the human nature through the creation of imaginative situation.
The idea that the essence of man is evil. Everything man produces is malign.
The contrast between the civilised nature of man and his bestial and primitive instincts which man discovers in certain situation. He is not aware of it.
Symbols and allegories. Old myths presented with a new force.
* Narration: The story is told through the different point of view.
Plot and Symbolism
* The story: a group of boys during the War after a plain crash find them selves in a desert island. They try to survive by creating an organized society but they don’t respect the rules. Their lives become a chaos and they become savages.
* Features: apparently it seems an adventure novel but in reality it is an up-side-down traditional novel. It’s a criticism against the “Coral Island” of Ballantyne, an adventure novel for children, exalting the English civilisation. The characters of “Lord of the flies” are the same of those of “Coral Island”, the situation is the same, but the result is different. In fact in Golding’s novel has no optimistic view and the characters are not heroes, but savages and they embody evil. In the end they’re rescued but they return to adult’s world which is devilish like their one.
Final Excerpt
* The extract: in this passage it is presented the final situation, after the murdering of two boys of the group. Ralph sets the island on fire and another of a ship sees the smoke, he thinks that one is asking for help and goes with a cutter on the island. There he meets the group of boys. The first part is a description of the physical aspect of the officer in contrast with the bad look of the boys. Ralph is in fear because for the first time he’s aware of what had happened. The point of view of the officer is the one of “English man” convinced of the superiority of English civilisation, so he believes that the boys are playing a game.
Domande da interrogazione
- What are the main themes explored in the works of the author mentioned in the text?
- How does "Lord of the Flies" differ from traditional adventure novels like "Coral Island"?
- How is the final situation in "Lord of the Flies" described in the text?
The author explores the essence of human nature, particularly the idea that man's essence is evil. His works often depict the contrast between civilized behavior and primitive instincts, using imaginative situations to reveal these themes. Symbols and allegories are prevalent, with old myths presented with new force.
"Lord of the Flies" appears to be an adventure novel but is actually a critique of traditional narratives like "Coral Island." While "Coral Island" exalts English civilization, "Lord of the Flies" presents a pessimistic view where the characters, similar to those in "Coral Island," become savages embodying evil, rather than heroes. The novel ends with the boys being rescued, only to return to an adult world that is equally devilish.
In the final situation, after the murder of two boys, Ralph sets the island on fire, which attracts the attention of a ship. The officer who arrives perceives the boys' situation as a game, reflecting his belief in the superiority of English civilization. Ralph, however, is fearful as he becomes aware of the chaos and savagery that unfolded.
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