Sunday, February 8, 2015

Lord of the Flies by William Golding


This book delivered exactly what I expected it to. It is a rather simple story featuring a group of schoolboys whose plane crashes on a deserted island. There, they must survive, first against the struggles of being on the island, and soon against each other. Holding an atmosphere of thick, dripping heat, and untamed jungle, I could easily feel the setting in which the story takes place.

Though this story is caked in symbolism and themes, there is one that stands out above the rest. The decline of the sanity and sensibleness of the characters, as they’re overwhelmed with freedom and lack of order. As children, it is easier for them to revert back to primitive ways, which is shown increasingly throughout the book. The character Piggy, who is a symbol of wisdom and common sense, is just about the only thing allowing some sense of law within the group.

The decline of the group’s order was beautifully shown as this short but potent novel progressed. Just as well, the immense imagery made the setting of the island seem very real. The characters portrayed a variety of mental states, all of which are greatly effected throughout this novel. Though a story simple enough to be read by nearly anyone, its dark undertones and shocking themes made it a hearty and complex read.



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