Summary of Lord of the Flies: A Timeless Classic About the Dark Side of Human Nature

Summary of Lord of the Flies

by Kaplan Test Prep

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	836 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages
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Lord of the Flies is a novel by William Golding that tells the story of a group of British boys who are stranded on a desert island after their plane crashes. The boys initially try to create a society, but they soon descend into chaos and violence. The novel explores the dark side of human nature and the importance of civilization.

The novel begins with the boys being excited about being on their own. They see the island as a paradise, a place where they can do whatever they want. They elect Ralph as their leader and decide to create a society based on democracy and fairness.

However, the boys soon begin to argue and fight. They split into two groups, with Ralph leading the "good" group and Jack leading the "bad" group. Jack's group becomes increasingly violent, and they eventually kill Piggy, one of Ralph's supporters.

Ralph is forced to flee for his life, and he is eventually rescued by a passing ship. The novel ends with Ralph reflecting on the events of the past few months. He realizes that the boys were not as innocent as he had thought, and that they were capable of great evil.

Lord of the Flies is a powerful and disturbing novel that explores the dark side of human nature. The novel shows how easily civilization can collapse and how quickly people can turn to violence. It is a timeless classic that has been read and studied by generations of readers.

Characters

• Ralph: The protagonist of the novel, Ralph is a fair and just leader who tries to maintain order on the island.
• Jack: The antagonist of the novel, Jack is a charismatic but ruthless leader who leads his group of boys into violence.
• Piggy: A fat and intelligent boy who is Ralph's best friend and supporter.
• Simon: A mysterious and spiritual boy who is killed by Jack's group.
• Roger: Jack's right-hand man, Roger is a cruel and sadistic boy who enjoys inflicting pain on others.

Themes

• The dark side of human nature: Lord of the Flies explores the dark side of human nature and the potential for violence and evil that exists in all of us.
• The importance of civilization: The novel also explores the importance of civilization and the rules and laws that are necessary to maintain a functioning society.
• The loss of innocence: Lord of the Flies is a coming-of-age story that shows how quickly children can lose their innocence and become corrupted by violence.

Symbolism

• The island: The island is a symbol of both paradise and savagery. It is a place where the boys can be free from the rules of society, but it is also a place where they can descend into chaos and violence.
• The conch shell: The conch shell is a symbol of authority and order. When the boys blow the conch, they are able to call a meeting and make decisions. However, the conch is eventually broken, which symbolizes the collapse of order on the island.
• The Lord of the Flies: The Lord of the Flies is a mysterious and evil figure who represents the dark side of human nature. The Lord of the Flies tempts the boys with violence and chaos, and he eventually leads them to their destruction.

Lord of the Flies is a complex and challenging novel that has been praised for its insights into human nature and the importance of civilization. The novel is a timeless classic that has been read and studied by generations of readers, and it continues to be relevant today.

Summary of Lord of the Flies

by Kaplan Test Prep

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	836 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE