Lilyana Cherneva Ms. James English H/10 8 February 2023 Chaos and War: Lord of the Flies Being stranded on an island with other kids and having absolutely no way to get help is horrifying. This paradox is explored in William Goldings' famous book, Lord of the Flies. The book, published on September 17, 1954, tells the story of a plane crash that caused a group of children to be stranded alone on a deserted island. Through the long days and nights, they survive trying to get help. They slowly are driven insane, giving rise to a conflict that makes the kids split off into two groups going to war with one another. Schools should require students to read this novel as it shows symbolism and the defects of society. One of the primary reasons why Lord of the Flies should be required reading in school is its exploration of human nature. The book shows how even young children can quickly descend into chaos and exacerbate when placed in a situation without adult supervision. “He wanted to explain how people were never quite what you thought they were.” (Golding 54). The characters Ralph and Jack, serve as …show more content…
The island represents a new start to a beginning. Individuals can be carried in the emotions of the group, leading to disastrous consequences. As Simon talks to the pig head on a stick, a fanatic character called the lord of the flies is represented as the devil, the thing that encourages Simon to do bad things that he has inside of him. “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!...You knew, didn't you? I'm part of you? Close, close close! I'm the reason why it's no go? Why things are the way they are?” (Golding 143). This message is particularly relevant in today's world, where social media and the internet can amplify the power of mob mentality and cause unnecessary hysteria, making it even more important for students to understand its deleterious