The setting is described in the exposition of Lord of the Flies as being “a lagoon surrounded by palm trees and a jungle, the air filled with the scent of flowers and the sound of birds.” The exposition goes on to relate how a group of boys, stranded on the uninhabited island after a plane crash, attempt to govern themselves in their newfound freedom.
The rising action is marked by the boys’ initial attempts to establish order, such as creating rules and electing Ralph as their leader, which gradually devolves into chaos and savagery.
The climax occurs when Ralph and Piggy confront Jack and his followers at Castle Rock, leading to a violent confrontation. The feelings of the characters are described when the narrator states, “The mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberating himself from shame and self-consciousness.” These words demonstrate the loss of identity and morality among the boys as they succumb to primal instincts.
The falling action follows the death of Piggy and the complete breakdown of civilization with Jack's tribe hunting Ralph, who becomes increasingly desperate.
The resolution of the novel occurs when Ralph is finally rescued by a naval officer, who is shocked by the boys’ descent into savagery.
The primary theme of Lord of the Flies is the inherent darkness of human nature and the fragility of civilization. An example, in the climax, as to when Golding clearly demonstrates this theme is when Jack’s tribe kills Piggy and steals the conch, symbolizing the complete breakdown of order. Golding stated, “The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” The reader can discern that this moment signifies the end of civilization and reason among the boys.
In conclusion, Lord of the Flies is a profound exploration of the human condition and the inherent capacity for evil. The setting and plot of the novel demonstrate this theme and show the reader that without the structures of society, humanity can regress into brutality and chaos.
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