Lord of the Flies - context

Question 1

What does the title - Lord of the Flies refer to and derive from?

Answer 1

• It refers to the devil and derives from the Hebrew word Beelzebub who was a prince of hell.

Question 2

What societal context does Golding explore in the novel?

Answer 2

• Golding explores unfairness and inequality for select groups of people in society. For example, Piggy’s more colloquial and lower class background leads to him being an exploited character.

Question 3

What war did Golding take part in and what did it lead him to explore in Lord of the Flies?

Answer 3

• Golding took part in WW2.

- Golding explores how evil and violence can develop easily in anyone using children as an example in Lord of the Flies.

Question 4

Who does Jack represent from WW2 and how is the enforced in Lord of the Flies?

Answer 4

• Jack represents Hitler.

- Jack’s group of hunters are fiercely loyal to him similar to that of the SS and Nazis in WW2.

Question 5

What is MAD and how is it shown in Lord of the Flies?

Answer 5

• MAD is mutually assured destruction.
• In the novel the hunters set the island on fire whilst hunting for Ralph before they are all saved by the naval officer.

Question 6

How is the social class system shown in Lord of the Flies?

Answer 6

• Piggy is the cleverest but is ignored due to his social status presumed through his use of colloquial language.
• Jack assumes the role as leader because he is head choir boy.