Lord of the Flies - Key concepts, themes and ideas Flashcards
1
Q
Explain how the theme of savagery is shown in Lord of the Flies.
A
- The young innocent boys quickly descend into savagery when there are no rules and they are given the opportunity to take control.
2
Q
Explain what a microcosm is and how is it used in Lord of the Flies.
A
- A microcosm is a smaller version of something greater.
- The island is a microcosm of the evil that is produced in the world today.
- In LotF the island is a microcosm of the real world where the boys represents the dangers in mankind.
3
Q
Give two quotations for savagery.
A
- ‘Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!’
- ‘The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering.’
4
Q
What does the beast telling Simon that it could not be destroyed represent?
A
- It represents how Golding thought that the inner evil in humanity could not be destroyed despite efforts and rules.
5
Q
How does the boys appearance reflect the group’s regression? Specifically the hunters.
A
- At the beginning of the novel the choir boys/hunters are in their robes and are very composed.
- As the novel progresses Jack is naked ‘except for a pair of tattered shorts held up by his knife belt’
- This shows that they have regressed and lost their initial civilisation the violence represented by the ‘knife belt’ remains.
6
Q
How do the boys regress into a more savage nature in terms of hunting throughout the book?
A
- In the beginning of the novel Jack fails to kill a trapped pig due to fear.
- Towards the middle of the novel the pig hunt with Ralph involved in it excites the boys and has a sexual nature.
- Ultimately the group kill Simon, again with Ralph involved.
- The hunters also kill Piggy.
7
Q
How does Golding show the battle between democracy and dictatorship in the novel?
A
- Jack represents dictatorship and Ralph represents democracy.
- Ralph is elected as leader but Jack undermines him.
- Ultimately leading to the conch (symbol of democracy) being shattered.
