Lord of the flies seminar
Lord of the Flies Seminar
Loss of Identity
Introduction
Lord of the Flies by William Golding depicts a world of violence and moral desolation, which is a result of the main characters' loss of identity. The plot shows a process of events that finally leads to death and collapse of their social structure. The boys go through gradual loss of civility, as English citizens are known to be very proper and well mannered. The experiences the boys undergo on the island expose them to the evil that lies beneath their veil of morality. The experiences affect them drastically both physically and mentally to the point where they lose their pre-established identities. Loss of identity is evident when the boys no longer distinguish between what is real and what is an illusion, the death of three boys and the post rescue realization that they have become savage creatures.
Proof
1) The boys no longer comprehend what is real and what is an illusion.
The beast
When the boys first arrived on the island the idea of a beast was non-practical and unrealistic. However, as time progressed the boys lose civilization and the beast’s existence seems present.
"'This head is for the beast. It's a gift” (Golding 151). - Jack à everyone at Castle Rock
"'Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!'” (Golding 168)
- Chant sung by the boys at the tribal dance
Simon talking to the pig
Simon was wandering in the jungle and came across the sow’s head on a stick and is lead to believe that the pig is the beast after he has vivid hallucinations of the sow having a conversation with himself.
“ ‘You’re just a silly little boy,’ said the Lord of the Flies, ‘just an ignorant, silly little boy’” (Golding page 157). - Lord of the Flies à Simon
“‘Fancy thinking the beast was something you can hunt and kill!’ said the head. For a moment or two the forest and all the other dimply appreciated places echoed with the parody of laughter. ‘You knew, didn't’t you? I'm part of you?
Loss of Identity
Introduction
Lord of the Flies by William Golding depicts a world of violence and moral desolation, which is a result of the main characters' loss of identity. The plot shows a process of events that finally leads to death and collapse of their social structure. The boys go through gradual loss of civility, as English citizens are known to be very proper and well mannered. The experiences the boys undergo on the island expose them to the evil that lies beneath their veil of morality. The experiences affect them drastically both physically and mentally to the point where they lose their pre-established identities. Loss of identity is evident when the boys no longer distinguish between what is real and what is an illusion, the death of three boys and the post rescue realization that they have become savage creatures.
Proof
1) The boys no longer comprehend what is real and what is an illusion.
The beast
When the boys first arrived on the island the idea of a beast was non-practical and unrealistic. However, as time progressed the boys lose civilization and the beast’s existence seems present.
"'This head is for the beast. It's a gift” (Golding 151). - Jack à everyone at Castle Rock
"'Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!'” (Golding 168)
- Chant sung by the boys at the tribal dance
Simon talking to the pig
Simon was wandering in the jungle and came across the sow’s head on a stick and is lead to believe that the pig is the beast after he has vivid hallucinations of the sow having a conversation with himself.
“ ‘You’re just a silly little boy,’ said the Lord of the Flies, ‘just an ignorant, silly little boy’” (Golding page 157). - Lord of the Flies à Simon
“‘Fancy thinking the beast was something you can hunt and kill!’ said the head. For a moment or two the forest and all the other dimply appreciated places echoed with the parody of laughter. ‘You knew, didn't’t you? I'm part of you?