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AP Literature MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET Title: Lord of the Flies Author: William Golding Date of Publication: September 15 1954 Genre: Fiction Biographical Information about the Author His mother was a women’s right activist while his father was a Historical Information about the period and schoolmaster. Golding attended the place of publication – what was happening school his father taught at. At 12 he in the world the author lived in and how attempted to write a novel. For might that have influenced him? secondary school he attended Brasenose college at oxford After teaching, Golding went into the navy university. Afterwards, he taught and for six years. This was during world war II got his inspiration of the lord of the and this is how he got his inspiration for flies characters from some unruly kids writing his novel , Lord of the Flies. he had in his class. Characteristics of the Genre Fiction Coming of Age Loss of Innocence Allegory Plot Summary A group of schoolboys crash on a plane and land on a deserted island with no adults. They make their own rules together, and have to learn how to survive. They select a leader, Ralph, and use a system where only the boy with the conch shell can talk. Eventually, Jack, another older boy, does not like that Ralph is the leader and does his own thing with followers. This group becomes very barbaric. All the boy become stressed out and eventually a couple boys get murdered. After the living boys are rescued, Ralph becomes very sad because he knew he had lost his innocence on that island. Describe the author’s style An example that demonstrates that style Ominous and Poetic Up there, for once, were clouds, great bulging towers that sprouted away over the island, grey and cream and copper­colored. The clouds were sitting on the land; they squeezed, produced moment by moment this close, tormenting heat. Memorable Quotes Quotation Significance 1. “What I mean is . . . The boys question the existence of “the beast” and maybe it’s only us where it may be located. Simon then says that the beast may be themselves. 1. “There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the Beast. . . Simon once again tries to tell the boys that they are all . Fancy thinking the the beast. Then the boys reject this thought, and Beast was become so beastly that they kill Simon. something you could hunt and kill! . . . You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are the way they are?” 1. Ralph wept for the end of innocence, The officers finally arrive and save the rest of the the darkness of boys. Although they are safe, ralph doesn’t think so. man’s heart, and the Ralph will never be the same and his innocence has fall through the air of been lost. a true, wise friend called Piggy. Characters Name Role in the Story Significance Adjectives Ralph Jack Simon Piggy Roger Sam and Eric 12 year old boy Protagonist Older boy on Island Good behaved boy Intelligent nerdy boy Jacks “lieutenant” Youngest, Twins Leader of the group Savage/ antagonist Strong sense of morality Represents scientific society Hurts the boys Stay loyal to ralph Charismatic Barbaric Sensitive Intelligent Violent loyal Setting After a plane crash On a deserted tropical Island with no adults and no other people. Significance of opening scene Ralph becomes a leader and decides to make a fire so that someone will see them and rescue them, while Jack thinks they will be on the island for a while and suggest they go hunting right away so they won’t go hungry. Significance of ending/closing scene Symbols 1. Conch Shell 1. Piggy’s Glasses 1. Signal Fire 1. The Best The boys are rescued and Ralph barely lives after being attacked by Jack. The officer thinks that the boys are playing around, but Ralph cries because he is no longer an innocent child after all the death he had seen on the island. Old AP Questions Leave Blank for Now Possible Themes 1. Loss of Innocence 1. Civilization v. Savagery 1. Power 1. Rules and Order