Lotf

• intro

  Motivated by the horrific events he witnessed during ww2, Golding's overall purpose when writing this allegorical novel is to illustrate mankind's inherent evil and the fragility of society. The [theme] is explored when Jack understands the need for rules at the start, later when Roger throws 'stones' at the 'littuns' but purposely misses and finally through Ralph's panic at the end of the novel.
• para 1- AO1

  The [theme] is clearly presented in LOTF when Golding first shows Jack, who is an allegorical representation of dictatorship as understanding the need for rules and order to avoid savagery and preserve civilisation. We can see this through Jack's exclamation to the rest of the boys...
• ' We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're English and English are the best at everything'


  • imperative 'got to' and 'obey' portray Jack as wanting to be in control; he knows the boy should behave in a civilised way which is ironic as he is the leader of the tribe of savages later on in the novel
  • ironic notion further reinforced as Jack emphasises following 'rules' while in reality he's breaking the first 'rule' on the island; only talking while holding the conch- a symbol of democracy and civilisation
• superlative 'best' --> para 1 AO2


  • superlative 'best' when talking about 'English', Golding hints at the dangerous jingoistic views he encountered during ww2 from Nazi Party.
• 'hands up like in school'


  command- highlights the boy's understanding for the need for rules.

  Alternatively, could represent [theme] being omnipresent as emphasised by the boys' young age since they still relate to 'school'
• ' "I ought to be chief" said Jack with stupe arrogance "because[...] I sing c sharp" '


  however this belief foreshadows Jack's later brutality and breakdown of civilisation, fragility of society and therefore [theme]
• para 2 ao1

  In order to highlight the civilisation's hold on the boys and [theme] Golding includes Roger throwing 'stones' at the 'littluns' on the beach, but ultimately aims to miss on the line ...
• 'Roger's arm was conditioned by a civilisation that knew nothing of him and was in ruins'


  • highlighting how Roger's inherent evil is controlled by the remains of civilisation
  • interestingly, cleaverly placed moment of 'stones' foreshadows Roger's [descent into savagery]; he leans on the 'boulder' to kill Piggy
• para 2 ao2

  • verb 'conditioned' highlights restrictions- reinforcing Golding's idea of [theme] and fragility of society/ inherent evil present in everyone despite being hidden/ restrained
  • noun 'ruins' foreshadows dire consequences of savagery; it will result in chaos and 'ruins' and anarchy
• 'Robert squealed in mock terror, them in real pain'


  • further conveyed '...' reflecting the inevitable shift from civilisation, descending into savagery
  • connotations of verb 'squealed' depicts sense of uncontrolled fear and something animalistic
  • ambiguously foreshadow lotf being sacrificial pig's head on 'the spear [which] was sharpened at both ends'(another symbol for Jack's hidden savagery)
  • juxtaposition between 'mock terror' and 'real pain' distinctly illustrates difference between law and disorder, civilisation and savagery, order and chaos.
• para 2 ao3

  Motivated by Himmler's devastating uses of violence to achieve authority that he witnessed in ww2, Golding does this to illustrate how society's fragile rules can contain people's innate savagery and inherent evil through Roger, an allegorical representation of Himmler. He clearly portrays Roger as such a violent character to mirror his oppressive, cruel and inhumane actions to Himmler's.
• para 3 ao1

  Finally, Ralph's panic at the end of the novel when he is being chased through the forest by the hunters and flames of the fire, Golding unmistakably portrays [theme] when he writes...
• 'There's no Piggy to talk sense, there was no solemn assembly, nor dignity of the conch "Think" '


  • evidently reveals Piggy as a person of great intelligence and logic but his death leaves a loss of responsibility and safety
  • cleverly personified phrase 'dignity of the conch' exemplifies how civilisation and democracy to illustrate [theme]. This contrasts with the start of the novel where the conch was considered the most important thing on the island highlighting how the descent into savagery is a gradual and inevitable process.
• imperative "Think"


  • imperative 'think' emphasises Ralph's desperate need for control and power over himself; the civilisation has been lost and overrun with savagery [/theme]
  • possibly convey his anxiety of being safe
  • alternatively command society and readers about breaking out of 'mob mentality' that supports their evil acts
• ' "Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood" '


  • notion of mob mentality is further portrayed when boys and 'littluns' chant as the enthusiastic tone and and use of violent imperatives foreshadow future (attempts) at violence and murder, further serving as a reminder to readers of Piggy's vulnerability and eventually his death
• 'flames'


  once represented hope and civilisation now run wild like the boys revealing [theme]

  Subtly links back to Simon's death as it reveals the capacity to be overwhelmed by evil
• evolution of 'Sam and Eric' to 'Sam n Eric' to 'samneric'


  demonstrates dehumanisation and perhaps act as an allegorical representation of the Jews; they were tortured by the hunters just like the Jews were tortured by the Nazi Party during ww2
• para 3 ao3

  Inspired by George Orwell's concept of 'mob mentality' or group think, Golding explores why educated people would still commit great atrocities. Therefore, this perfectly illustrates his views from his book 'the Fable' where he explains 'man produces evil like bees produce honey' - it is natural for them to behave savagely. This could hint at the original sin, how Adam and Eve sinned and therefore mankind is inherently evil leading to [theme]