Explore the Ways in Which Bullies and Victims Are Present in Lord of the Flies and Dna
English coursework, James Luxton
Explore the ways in which bullies and victims are presented in Lord of the Flies and DNA.
Bullies and Victims play vital roles in both the novel and the play. The authors, Golding and Kelly, both put their characters through similar trials. In Lord of the Flies, Golding’s characters turn from normal school boys, to savages who are prepared to kill one another to gain power. Golding suggests that under certain circumstances, people will naturally begin to become more violent and savage. In DNA the characters are thrust into a world of secrecy where they have to cover things up to save themselves, Kelly himself wrote this; ‘I don’t think I write characters who are bad, I think I write characters who are trying to do the right thing, but are failing’. Kelly gives no description to the lives of his characters before the death of Adam, suggesting that they may have lead innocent lives, but they have been thrust into a world of violence that spirals out of control.
In Lord of the Flies, Golding impresses upon the reader how children’s judgements of their peers are based around their physical appearance which will directly impact whether they are seen as possible leaders or victims. In contrast, Kelly gives us no description of his characters’ appearance and offers no real clear reason why Adam is the victim; in this way the violence is less readily understood, and ultimately more frightening. Golding clearly demonstrates to the reader how physical appearance effects a character’s treatment in the opening chapter of Lord of the Flies. Even though they have just survived a plane crash and are apparently the only survivors on the island, Ralph constantly snubs Piggy; based on the fact that Piggy is fat, has asthma, and also wears glasses. Ralph shuns him, despite Piggy being incredibly intelligent, and it is Piggy who suggests most of the things for the boys to do, such as using the conch to call an assembly. Ralph doesn’t realise the
Explore the ways in which bullies and victims are presented in Lord of the Flies and DNA.
Bullies and Victims play vital roles in both the novel and the play. The authors, Golding and Kelly, both put their characters through similar trials. In Lord of the Flies, Golding’s characters turn from normal school boys, to savages who are prepared to kill one another to gain power. Golding suggests that under certain circumstances, people will naturally begin to become more violent and savage. In DNA the characters are thrust into a world of secrecy where they have to cover things up to save themselves, Kelly himself wrote this; ‘I don’t think I write characters who are bad, I think I write characters who are trying to do the right thing, but are failing’. Kelly gives no description to the lives of his characters before the death of Adam, suggesting that they may have lead innocent lives, but they have been thrust into a world of violence that spirals out of control.
In Lord of the Flies, Golding impresses upon the reader how children’s judgements of their peers are based around their physical appearance which will directly impact whether they are seen as possible leaders or victims. In contrast, Kelly gives us no description of his characters’ appearance and offers no real clear reason why Adam is the victim; in this way the violence is less readily understood, and ultimately more frightening. Golding clearly demonstrates to the reader how physical appearance effects a character’s treatment in the opening chapter of Lord of the Flies. Even though they have just survived a plane crash and are apparently the only survivors on the island, Ralph constantly snubs Piggy; based on the fact that Piggy is fat, has asthma, and also wears glasses. Ralph shuns him, despite Piggy being incredibly intelligent, and it is Piggy who suggests most of the things for the boys to do, such as using the conch to call an assembly. Ralph doesn’t realise the