Lord of the Flies

“Lord of the Flies” (Lord) clearly portrays the philosophical issues raised during the first four weeks of this class. Transitions in the story move from the social rigidity of a pre-crash political society to the establishment of an initial form of community and the subsequent breakdown of the political and moral order on the island. While the story conveys and illustrates the breakdown of political society and its reversion to a state of nature, “Lord” requires an understanding of the context of historical events during the War. Golding admits that his war experiences framed the portrayal of the characters, themes and events in the story. Written about nine years after the conclusion of the war, the transitions and themes seem to directly identify events, people, political leaders that were part of the victory of Democracy over Fascism. Within this context the story concerns itself with the fundamental questions we explore in this class about the individual and society. The choice of an island by Golding, isolated from the rest of civilized society, is the perfect laboratory to convey the essential theme of the story. On the island, without the guidance and authority of the “grown ups” the boys must face the difficulties of isolation. This isolation makes for an ideal setting for the challenge of whether community or human nature will surface and prevail. Preliminary to my discussion of the story it is interesting to suggest how would Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes and Locke view “Lord” if asked to analyze its basic theme and message? Plato wrote of how citizens should certainly have a voice in government, as the boys initially had after arrival on the island, and the rulers would do well to listen to their concerns. While Plato would suggest that there should be an alliance between the ruler and the people, he very much believed that ruling should be left to those trained and experienced to do so. Aristotle supported the idea of a balance between the individual