Literary Analysis Lord of the Flies
Zeppieri 1
Matthew Zeppieri
Mrs. Hatfield
English II Honors
20 October 2011
Psychological Allegory- Depiction of Society Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory consists of three elements of personality: the id, the ego, and the super ego. William Golding uses these three elements to coexist with his characters in the novel Lord of the Flies. Landing on a tropical island during World War II, the novel begins with Ralph and Piggy stating themselves as the adult-like characters. The plane crash occurred and none of the adults survived which Ralph and Piggy capitalize their opportunity for becoming the adult figure for Ralph’s democratic government. Golding uses allegory to illustrate the delicate balance of the human psyche. In the beginning, Golding establishes the human psyche that parallels Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory. Ralph “the chief” (21), who represents the ego, attempts to keep the sense of composure on the island. After conflicts between Jack and Piggy erupt, Ralph “took the conch from [Piggy] and look[s] round the circle of boys” (42). Thanks to the emerging conflicts, splits to form Ralph’s way and Jack’s way of leadership. Jack is a childish, foolish character, represents the id when “ he [Jack] dragg[ing] his eyes away from the fire. You’re [Piggy] always scared…Yah-Fatty!” (45). Ralph’s and Jack’s arguments brings Piggy out as the super ego , the intellectual smart child when he suggests “we could make a sundial.” (64). Thus , the reader sees that these characters are developing into all the thirds of the human psyche as the election occurs on the island.
Zeppieri 2 At that time, the island was running smoothly and all the characters are currently balanced and coexist with each other. When Ralph was elected leader, Jack counters and “was loud and active” (72). The boys establish huts on the island for shelter, while Jack and the hunters on the island are hunting for meat. As Jack comes back from hunting, “ The rest of the
Matthew Zeppieri
Mrs. Hatfield
English II Honors
20 October 2011
Psychological Allegory- Depiction of Society Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory consists of three elements of personality: the id, the ego, and the super ego. William Golding uses these three elements to coexist with his characters in the novel Lord of the Flies. Landing on a tropical island during World War II, the novel begins with Ralph and Piggy stating themselves as the adult-like characters. The plane crash occurred and none of the adults survived which Ralph and Piggy capitalize their opportunity for becoming the adult figure for Ralph’s democratic government. Golding uses allegory to illustrate the delicate balance of the human psyche. In the beginning, Golding establishes the human psyche that parallels Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory. Ralph “the chief” (21), who represents the ego, attempts to keep the sense of composure on the island. After conflicts between Jack and Piggy erupt, Ralph “took the conch from [Piggy] and look[s] round the circle of boys” (42). Thanks to the emerging conflicts, splits to form Ralph’s way and Jack’s way of leadership. Jack is a childish, foolish character, represents the id when “ he [Jack] dragg[ing] his eyes away from the fire. You’re [Piggy] always scared…Yah-Fatty!” (45). Ralph’s and Jack’s arguments brings Piggy out as the super ego , the intellectual smart child when he suggests “we could make a sundial.” (64). Thus , the reader sees that these characters are developing into all the thirds of the human psyche as the election occurs on the island.
Zeppieri 2 At that time, the island was running smoothly and all the characters are currently balanced and coexist with each other. When Ralph was elected leader, Jack counters and “was loud and active” (72). The boys establish huts on the island for shelter, while Jack and the hunters on the island are hunting for meat. As Jack comes back from hunting, “ The rest of the
Cited: Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. New York: The Penguin Group, 1954.