William Golding's Lord Of The Flies: An Analysis

William Golding’s first novel, Lord of the Flies, published in 1954, has received immense acclaim and even won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983. In the novel, Golding explores the human psyche in young boys at the age of 6-12 years old. He outlines the transition from innocence to darkness, and civilness to savagery in a highly descriptive, yet realistic way. Predominantly, through the boys failed attempt to function as they did in civilization. This is resulted from corruption in the boys, as they shift their focuses from being rescued to simply surviving on the island. Due to this corruption, Golding insinuates that humanity does not have hope for the future; they judge based on appearance, have inner darkness, and destroy all that is good.

Golding emphasizes how society is quick to judge others, this can be shown through the decision of the chief, the head hunter and the outcast. When the boys first assemble, they all vote for Ralph to become chief. For instance, Golding says, “But there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive appearance...” (Golding 19) Despite not knowing
Before writing Lord of the Flies, Golding served in the Royal Naval starting in 1940. During this time, he likely saw horrific events and actions in battleships, submarines and aircraft. In fact, Golding was present at the sinking of the Bismarck and by the time the war was over, he had worked his way up and was a Lieutenant. Afterwards, he returned and became a teacher, at the Bishop Wordsworth’s school in Salisbury and published his first novel, Lord of the Flies. Overall, Golding's strong belief and lack of faith in the human race stems from his time as a Lieutenant in the war. Nevertheless, the truth of humanity and it’s nature is unknown and forever will be up to anyone’s