Understanding "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
"Lord of the Flies" is a powerful novel by William Golding that tells the story of a group of boys who are stranded on an uninhabited island. Through the journey of these boys, Golding explores important themes like human nature and the loss of innocence. The story has a clear plot structure that includes exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion.
First, let’s talk about the exposition, which is the beginning of the story where we learn about the characters and setting. This happens at the start of the book when the boys crash-land on the island after a plane accident. The main characters introduced are Ralph, Piggy, and Jack. The setting is a beautiful but empty island, filled with trees, beaches, and a lagoon. Golding writes, “The shore was fledged with palm trees. These stood or leaned or reclined against the light and their green feathers were a lagoon of the palm” (Golding, Chapter 1). This description helps us understand that while the island is lovely, it is also wild and unknown, which foreshadows the trouble to come.
Next comes the rising action, which includes the events that lead up to the main conflict. This part begins when Ralph and Jack are trying to establish order and build a signal fire. They create rules and choose Ralph as the leader. However, as time goes on, the boys start to separate into two groups: Ralph’s group that wants to maintain order, and Jack’s group that wants to enjoy the freedom of the island. The tension increases when Jack begins to prioritize hunting over maintaining the fire. This conflict is made clear when Golding writes, “We’ve got to make smoke up there—or die” (Golding, Chapter 2). The disagreement about priorities shows how the boys are losing their focus on rescue.
The climax of the story occurs when tensions reach their highest point. This happens in Chapter 9, when Simon discovers the truth about the “beast” on the island. After an intense encounter, he is mistaken for the beast and is brutally killed by the other boys in a frenzied attack. Golding describes this tragic scene: “The water rose further and dressed Simon's coarse hair with brightness. The line of his blood mirrored the sky.” This moment is shocking and represents the complete breakdown of civilization among the boys.
Following the climax is the falling action, where the consequences of the climax begin to unfold. In Chapter 10, the boys’ society starts to crumble even more. Ralph’s group becomes weaker, and Jack's tribe becomes more savage and violent. The boys are now experiencing chaos, and their sense of morality is fading. The darkness of their actions is revealed when they put Piggy’s glasses and Ralph in danger, showing how far they have strayed from their original goal of being rescued.
Finally, the conclusion of the story occurs when Ralph is hunted by Jack’s tribe, and he discovers that the island has turned into a place of fear and violence. Just when it seems Ralph is lost, he encounters a naval officer who has come to the island. Golding writes, “The officer… stared at Ralph, and Ralph wept for the end of innocence” (Golding, Chapter 12). The arrival of the officer symbolizes hope, but Ralph’s tears reveal the heavy price of their lost childhood and the darkness within human nature.
In summary, "Lord of the Flies" has a well-structured plot that takes us from the innocence of the boys arriving on the island to the darkness that emerges. Through the rising tension and chaotic events leading to the conclusion, Golding presents a theme about the struggle between civilization and savagery, reminding us of the importance of order and morality in society.