Essay on "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
In the novel "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, we follow a group of boys who get stranded on an uninhabited island after their plane crashes. The story has a special structure that helps us understand the boys' adventures and challenges. The setting and the main theme of the book show how important it is to work together and the dangers of losing control.
The exposition of the story happens at the very beginning. We learn about the boys and their situation when Ralph, one of the main characters, meets Piggy. Ralph looks good and is happy to be on the beautiful island, but Piggy is worried. Golding writes, “We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages.” This shows that not all is going to be easy, and the boys will need to work together.
Next comes the rising action, which starts when Ralph is elected leader. The boys begin to build shelters and find food, but they also start to divide into different groups. This is where the trouble begins. They create a fire for rescue, but it gets out of control. The boys' fear of a "beast" on the island grows, and they start to act wildly. The tension increases when Jack, another important character, begins to challenge Ralph’s leadership. Golding describes this when he says, “The conch doesn’t count on top of the mountain.” This shows the growing conflict among the boys.
The climax occurs when Simon, one of the kind-hearted boys, is killed by the group in a frenzy. This moment is shocking and marks the turning point of the story. Golding captures this tragic moment: “The water rose farther and dressed Simon’s coarse Hair with brightness.” Simon’s death symbolizes the complete loss of innocence among the boys.
Following the climax, we have the falling action, where the boys have fully descended into chaos. Jack and his followers hunt Ralph, and the true fear of savagery takes over. The story becomes dark and scary. At this point, Golding writes, “The tribe made a ring and began to chant.” This highlights how the boys have lost their way and become more like animals.
Finally, the conclusion happens when a naval officer arrives to rescue the boys. They are dirty and scared but still full of memories of their time on the island. The officer’s surprise at their appearance shows how they have changed. Golding ends with the lines, “We’ve seen the beast, and it is us.” This reveals the main theme of the book: the darkness of human nature and the struggle between civilization and savagery.
In conclusion, "Lord of the Flies" tells a powerful story about boys trying to survive on an island. Through its clear plot structure, the setting, and its important themes, we learn about the importance of rules and how easily people can lose their way.