Deeper Thinking: Lord Of The Flies By William Golding

Deeper Thinking

{Hook} In 1954, the familiar book titled Lord of the Flies was published. Over the decades, there have been countless arguments about what the true theme of the book is. This book is normally a required reading book for high school students. Most classes that experience the opportunity to study this fantastic book are required to identify a theme. A 9th grade class at Flathead High School faced the same question: what is William Golding trying to tell us with this book? {Line} As stated above, innumerable arguments have been made about Golding’s true theme. {Thesis} However, after studying the book closely, the process in which the boys’ group evolves over time clearly demonstrates Golding’s theme that stresses the importance

{Evidence} For example, Piggy is by far superior to the other boys when handling themselves and their emotions. {Analysis} Piggy is the best example of a self-controlling person because of the way he puts up with all of the other children calling him ‘Piggy’. Piggy makes it very clear at the beginning of the novel on page 9 that he loathes the nickname he was given back at home. “I don’t what they call me… so long as they don’t call me what they used to call me at school” (Golding, 9). This passage from the novel proves that Piggy despised the title he was given; however, throughout the book, all of the children naturally call him by his taunting nickname. As the children continued to laugh at and mock him with this insulting name, Piggy demonstrates incredible self-control by not lashing out at the children or crying himself to sleep every night. Although he wasn’t too fond of the idea, even after the name

{Evidence} At the beginning of the novel, all of the boys are gathered together on the beach after Ralph blew the conch. {Analysis} The majority of the children were scattered all over the island; however, when Ralph blew the conch shell, all of the children were gathered on the beach. After this, the conch had been a symbol of unity, order, and civilization. The group stayed together and civilized for a good while. All of the boys had their own jobs and chores. They organized a system to aid themselves in survival and even voted for a leader. Ralph was a fair leader for the most part; he held everyone accountable and was fair with their responsibilities. They also agreed on a rule that basically stated that everyone must offer their undivided attention to whoever holds the conch. The boys’ system was working just fine. However, later in the novel, their system began to crumble. {Evidence} Another piece of evidence that proves the importance of a civilization’s control comes from a passage from Lord of the Flies that states: “The conch doesn’t count on top of the mountain… so you shut up” (Golding, 41). {Analysis} This statement came from Jack, who later became a demagogue that lead an army of savage children. Before this passage, this rule was never discussed or agreed on. Despite the fact that Ralph was voted the leader and whomever