Lord of the Flies
Novel
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William Golding
Lord of the Flies Key Facts
Key Facts
Full Title: Lord of the Flies
Author: William Golding (1911–1993)
When Written: 1952–1953
Where Written: Salisbury, England
When Published: 1954
Literary Period: Post–World War II; Modern Allegory
Genre: Allegorical Novel; Adventure; Dystopian Fiction
Time Setting: During an unspecified nuclear war (mid-20th century)
Place Setting: An uninhabited tropical island so...
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Lord of the Flies Summary
Summary
Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell
The story begins after a plane crash during a war. A group of British schoolboys find themselves stranded on a deserted tropical island. The boys are between six and twelve years old. The first two boys we meet are Ralph and Piggy. Ralph is tall and confident. Piggy is fat, wears glasses, and has asthma. Piggy talks a lot and tries to be friendly. Piggy t...
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Lord of the Flies Theme
Themes
Civilization vs. Savagery: This is the main theme of “Lord of the Flies.” Golding shows that every human being has two sides — one wants order and peace, and the other wants power and blood. Ralph and Piggy try to build shelters, keep the fire for rescue, and make rules. They stand for civilization and human goodness. Jack and his hunters, however, become wild and cruel. They paint their fa...
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Lord of the Flies Literary Device
Symbols
Conch Shell: Order, Law, and Democracy
The conch shell is the most powerful symbol of order and rules. When Ralph and Piggy find it, they use it to call meetings. They use it to let everyone speak in turn. It stands for respect, fairness, and unity. As long as the conch is respected, the boys live peacefully. But when the conch is destroyed with Piggy’s death, all order ends. It shows how...
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Lord of the Flies Characters
Major Characters
Ralph: Ralph is the main character and the leader of the boys at first. He is about twelve years old, handsome, and confident. He believes in rules, order, and rescue. Ralph represents civilization and democracy. As time passes, he struggles to keep the group united. Sometimes, he also gives in to savagery.
Piggy: Piggy is short, fat, and wears glasses. He is very intelligent and...
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Notes
Explore 19 detailed notes related to Lord of the Flies. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.