Essay on Lord of the Flies
In "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, we see a story about boys stranded on an island that teaches us important lessons about human nature. The plot structure of the novel can be broken down into five parts: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion. Each part helps tell the story of how the boys change when they are away from the rules of society.
First, we have the exposition, which is the beginning of the story. This happens when Ralph and Piggy first arrive on the island after their plane crashes. We learn about the characters and the setting. Ralph finds a conch shell and uses it to call the other boys together. This is important because “the conch represented order and civilization.” The island is a beautiful place but becomes dangerous as the boys begin to lose their sense of right and wrong.
Next is the rising action. This part shows how the boys try to control their new lives. As they start to build shelters and make rules, they also begin to split into groups. Jack and his group focus on hunting, while Ralph wants to build a signal fire so they can be rescued. The tension builds when they let fear take over, believing in a beast on the island. The rising action is full of conflict and shows how the boys’ friendships start to break down. Jack declares, “We hunt,” which shows that their priorities are shifting toward violence and savagery.
The climax of the story occurs when Simon, one of the boys who understands the true nature of the beast, is killed by the other boys during a frenzied dance. This moment changes everything, as it represents the loss of innocence and the complete descent into chaos. The boys no longer see their humanity, and it marks a turning point in the story.
The falling action deals with the consequences of Simon’s death. Ralph and Piggy realize they can no longer control the boys. The group is now led by Jack, who is brutal and focused only on power. The boys engage in more violence, showing how far they have strayed from civilization. Their actions lead to a serious fire on the island, which brings the naval officer to rescue them.
Finally, the conclusion comes when the boys are found by the naval officer. They are in shock, seeing how far they have fallen into savagery. As Ralph cries, “this is our island. It’s a good island. Until the sailors come,” it shows that they remember the goodness they lost. The novel ends with a reminder of the darkness within all humans and how easily it can surface.
In conclusion, "Lord of the Flies" is not just an adventure story but also a deep lesson about human nature. The plot structure, from the introduction to the conclusion, helps readers understand the main themes of civilization versus savagery and the loss of innocence in a powerful way.