Lord of the Flies – A Study of Human Nature, Allegory, and Intertextuality

 

1. Introduction

William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a dystopian narrative that interrogates the myth of human innocence by portraying the descent of marooned British schoolboys into primal violence. Written against the backdrop of post-war disillusionment, the novel challenges Enlightenment ideals of rationality and progress, instead presenting a grim vision of humanity’s latent brutality.

2. Allegory in Lord of the Flies

Golding employs allegory to critique modern society, using the island as a microcosm of the adult world ravaged by war.

2.1 The Island as a Political Allegory

• The boys’ failed governance mirrors the breakdown of democratic structures.
• The conch shell symbolizes order and democratic discourse; its destruction marks the triumph of anarchy.
• The naval officer’s arrival underscores the cyclical nature of violence, as the adult world is equally complicit in savagery.

2.2 Psychological Allegory (Freudian Framework)

• Ralph (Ego): Represents rationality and governance.
• Jack (Id): Embodies primal instincts and unchecked aggression.
• Piggy & Simon (Superego): Symbolize morality and spiritual insight, both ultimately destroyed by the group’s descent into barbarism.

2.3 Biblical Allegory

• The island parallels Eden, corrupted not by an external serpent but by the boys’ inherent evil.

Simon as a Christ Figure:

• Seeks truth and is martyred.
• His confrontation with the Lord of the Flies mirrors Christ’s temptation in the wilderness.

Beelzebub (Lord of the Flies): The sow’s head represents internalized evil, a stark departure from traditional religious externalizations of sin.

3. Intertextuality: Golding’s Subversion of The Coral Island

Golding deliberately inverts R.M. Ballantyne’s The Coral Island (1858), a Victorian adventure novel that idealizes British colonialism and childhood innocence.

3.1 Contrasting Visions

Aspect The Coral Island (Ballantyne) Lord of the Flies (Golding)

Human Nature Innate nobility Inherent savagery

Colonial Trope Western superiority Critique of imperialism

Evil External (natives) Internal (the boys)

3.2 Irony in the Naval Officer’s Remarks

The officer’s comment—“Jolly good show. Like The Coral Island”—highlights society’s refusal to acknowledge its own brutality, reinforcing Golding’s thesis that civilization is a veneer.

4. Major Themes and Symbols

4.1 The Fragility of Civilization

• The conch, signal fire, and Piggy’s glasses symbolize order, hope, and intellect, respectively. Their destruction signifies regression.
• Key Quote: “The rules are the only thing we’ve got!” (Piggy) underscores the boys’ failure to uphold societal constructs.

4.2 The Beast Within

• The "beast" evolves from a figment of imagination to a totem of collective hysteria, illustrating mob psychology.
• Psychological Insight: Fear exacerbates violence, as seen in Simon’s murder during a frenzied ritual.

4.3 Loss of Innocence

• Ralph’s weeping for the “end of innocence” reflects Golding’s pessimistic view of human nature.
• Unlike Biblical narratives, there is no redemption—only a cyclical return to violence (the naval officer’s war).

5. New Critical Perspectives

5.1 Postcolonial Reinterpretation

• The novel critiques imperialist narratives by exposing the savagery of "civilized" boys rather than exotic "others."

5.2 Eco-Critical Reading

• The island’s degradation mirrors environmental exploitation, suggesting humanity’s destructive tendencies extend beyond social structures.

5.3 Modern Parallels

• The rise of authoritarianism and mob mentality in contemporary politics echoes Jack’s tyrannical rule.

Lord of the Flies remains a profound meditation on the human condition, challenging optimistic narratives of progress. Golding’s allegorical depth, intertextual critique, and unflinching portrayal of savagery ensure its place as a cornerstone of literary studies.