React to one or more of the following excerpts from professional literary critics: Wendy L. Sunderman, Bern Oldsey and Stanley Weintraub, Leon Levitt, Mary Ruthe Carter, Bernard F. Dick, Richard H. Lederer, Jerome Martin. Their words can be found by clicking on the comments link below. (The picture on the left is the cover of one of the best children's books ever. Relates interestingly to Lord of the Flies.)
39 comments:
Bern Oldsey & Stanley Weintraub: "The scenic qualities of Lord of the Flies help make it an imaginative work in two senses; that is, for the reader as well as the author. Although Golding occasionally provides consolidating detail, he more commonly requires the reader to pull narrative and descriptive elements into focus. For instance, he provides no endpaper map or block description of his fictional island. The reader must explore it along with the participants in the story and piece together a usable concept of time and place. What we learn in this way is just enough to keep the work within the realm of fiction, but not enough to remove it from the realm of allegory. And the essence of Golding's art resides exactly within the area of overlap " (92).
Also from Oldsey and Weintraub: "The location of the island...is kept deliberately vague: it is sufficiently remote to draw only two ships in a month or so, yet close enough to 'civilization' to be the floor above which deadly, and old-fashioned, air battles are fought miles high (the boys' plane itself has been shot down). The nearby air and naval war in progress, with conventional weapons, is somewhat out of keeping with earlier reports of utter catastrophe" (93).
"We see the unusual grace and sensitivity of [Simon's] personality crop up here and there as the story unfolds until he becomes the central figure of the 'Lord of the Flies' scene--one of Golding's most powerful and poetic. We see Simon's instinctive compassion and intelligence as he approaches the rotting corpse of the parachutist, which, imprisoned in the rocks on the hill in flying suit and parachute harness, is the only palpable 'monster' on the island. Although Simon's senses force him to vomit with revulsion, he nevertheless frees it 'from the wind's indignity.' When he returns to tell his frightened, blood-crazed companions that, in effect, they have nothing to fear but fear itself, his murder becomes the martyrdom of a saint and prophet, a point in human degeneration next to which the wanton killing of Piggy is but an anticlimax. In some of the novel's richest, most sensitive prose, the body of Simon is taken out to sea by the tide, Golding here reaching close to tragic exaltation as Simon is literally transfigured in death" (95).
"As a social allegory of human regression the novel is more easily (perhaps too neatly) explainable as 'the way in which, when the civilized restraints which we impose on ourselves are abandoned, the passions of anger, lust, and fear wash across the mind, obliterating commonsense and care, and life once again becomes nasty, brutish and short'" (J. Bowen; 97).
"And then a retrospective irony results, since the boys deserve to be thought of as titanic: if they have been fighting our battle, we realize--with both hope and dismay--that mankind is still in something of a pre-puberty stage. Thus Lord of the Flies ends as no act of hope or charity or even contrition. It is an act of recognition. The tone is particularly calm: Golding keeps his distance from his materials; he does not interfere or preach; and the material is made to speak for itself through a simplicity of prose style and a naturalistic-allegorical form. The vision of Golding is through both ends of the telescope" (99).
From Leon Levitt: "Frequent rereading of the book and some adjunct knowledge and logic impel me to think [this book is not about the inner evil in mankind's nature]. The fact is that Lord of the Flies , fascinating though it is, admirably programmed though it may be, makes no such case, but, on the contrary, clearly confirms the premise that it is Western society, Western culture, Western values, Western traditions wherein the evil lurks, not primordially in the hearts of men. And the beauty of it is that the truth dwells in the text itself and needs no belaboring to be revealed. We all know the book; we all know, therefore, that the boys come to the island already acculturated . And what do they bring? They bring a tradition of carnivorous blood-lust, human violence, tribalism, ingenuity in warfare (it is a truism that the technological progress of the Western world has consistently been the direct consequence of a struggle for supremacy in weaponry), anti-intellectualism, and the vivid memory of the carnage they were trying to escape. Clearly, as always in Western society as almost nowhere else, the humane intellect (Piggy) and the saint (Simon) are victims" (522).
"No one is going to rescue the adult and his cruiser. Not the children, surely, for they have just acted out, unencumbered by English etiquette, episodes they will relive a decade or so hence in the sophistication of modern warfare. But it is not their 'nature' they have failed to escape; on the contrary, the innocence of their nature never had a chance--it was not even in the chase" (533).
From Mary Ruthe Carter, who points out the similarities between Golding's novels and Peter Brueghel's famous art/engravings: "Ralph's fire was good, a symbol of prayer...His hope for salvation lay in the fire. The fire does not stay out, but rekindled it loses its original meaning and becomes a destroying factory, not only literally, but symbolically, as they boys dance. In the end it is the fire which 'saves' Ralph from the others and the others from themselves, but it is an ironic salvation, for the adult world, for all its civilization, is no better than the island. Under the guise of patriotism and morality the desire of the human spirit attacks all in its way" (55).
From Wendy L. Sunderman: "During my high school education, one of the first things I learned about reading and writing about literature was that there is only one valid interpretation of a novel--the interpretation of the teacher. I did not always have the same opinions or responses to the situations in the novel as my teacher, but I learned to abandon my views and adopt the 'right' one quickly. After all, the grade was the thing. Fortunately, my experience in school did not negate my love of reading, but I never looked forward to reading the books on the school reading list. Now that I am a teacher, I remember my high school experience, and my primary goal in the classroom is to introduce my students to the text and let them walk freely through the novel without following me around the pages. My unit plan on teaching Lord of the Flies is one of my favorites, simply because I sit back and watch my students 'fall in love' with the novel without me, their teacher" (49).
Students discussed the actual 'Lord of the Flies' and its importance to the novel. They talked about fear, pride, authority, human instincts, what it means to be civilized, why we rebel against the rules, why it's important to establish rules, and why we need leaders" (52).
"Never again will I have to abandon my ideas to those of the teacher, and none of my students will have to abandon their thoughts either. We will examine, challenge, and justify. We will make meaning of the text together" (54).
From Richard H. Lederer: "Teaching Lord of the Flies showed me that students clearly felt the intense relationship of the book's story to modern life--the omnipresent reminders of global warfare, the interplay of group antagonism, and the breakdowns of diplomatic relations. As adolescents, they were interested in, though they did not always agree with, Golding's contention that authority, discipline, and rules are necessary in a well-functioning society" (575).
"[Golding] chose [these boys] because [they] are healthy, innocent, decent boys from a solid background of the British upper-middle class. They are as civilized as one could possibly think: one associates careful upbringing and respectful obedience with the traditionally restricted British way of life. None of them 'old enough...for adolescence to have made [them] awkward,' they are essences of chastity and purity" (576).
"As an advisor, Roger was to Jack what Piggy was to Ralph" (577).
" Lord of the Flies shows clearly the weaknesses of society and its moral codes. No matter how many rules are established, man will still have the basic desires to kill, hate, and steal. Since the shape of society depends on the moral nature of the individual, society cannot improve and wars will not cease until man himself is changed. That this story takes place during a war emphasizes this point. Ralph was about to be killed when suddenly a naval officer appeared and reprimanded the boys for disgracing their society. We see the boys through the eyes of the officer: they are no longer bloodthirsty savages [who want to put Ralph's head on the spear as a sacrifice]--they are dirty, tired little boys. They will be loaded onto a ship and will no longer destroy each other. Instead, they will watch the grownups" (579).
From Jerome Martin: "Golding says [this] is the theme of the novel: 'The theme is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature.' If Golding is describing human nature, it is natural to ask, 'When is human nature best studied?' The answer is, 'Under a crisis or a trauma'" (408).
"The others in the novel, not given labels, are known by the generic title of 'littluns.' Human nature is too complicated to be able to label all its facets" (410).
"Consider that Golding is speaking of Ralph's experience as happening during one night while the boy is in a semi-dream world existence. The island would be the boy's bed. The mountain where the vision is clear would be his head, the bridge over to Castle Rock would be his neck, and the fortress of Castle Rock itself would be his body. The creepers would be his blankets" (411).
"It is fitting that Sam and Eric are the first to find a large log which can be used for fire. Fire throughout the novel represents teh drives of man toward good and evil [twins of a different sort]" (411).
"Butterflies (the symbol of beauty; in Greek: life, spirit, and breath) have frequently been present when Simon has communicated with nature, but they desert the place where the head of the pig is forced onto the stick sharpened at both ends" (412).
I love that Mary Ruthe Carter relates this novel to art. I wish I could take Mr. Nelson's classes. In fact, I'm thinking of sneaking in the back of his room once in a while during the period I have for planning. Art just enhances my understanding of things, simply put. Mary Ruthe Carter makes excellent points in her essay, which I will show you soon in its entirety. Many of you have probably seen Brueghel's paintings, which are really cool. Golding's novel also reminds me of the work done by the sketch-artist C.S. Langille, one of my local favorites.
I reflect closely to what Wendy Sunderman writes. And I really try hard to make sure each student's interpretation is considered and valued. That's the beauty of English class: we're working on how to think, not what to think. Other courses do not allow this sort of free thinking. Do you feel like your interpretations are considered and valued enough? I try to hard, but maybe there is another way we could ensure that you are allowed to be heard loudly.
I like what Oldsey and Weintraub said about how Golding makes his readers use their imaginations. Oldsey and Weintraub said that "he provides no endpaper map or block description of his fictional island." I think that because we don't know exactly what the island looks like, it makes the book more exciting. If we all had the same ideas, thoughts, views, etc., would this story, or anything at all for that matter, be as interesting? Golding's writing style makes us think for ourselves and develop our own opinions.
Whipkey--I am so glad that you agree that the unknown makes things better! Like in movies Jaws and Predator , the "beasts" are unknown throughout much of the plots. They are fantastic films that hold suspense over the viewer's head like an ominous boulder teetering on the clifftop.
I agree with whipkey. It is true that Golding makes his readers use their imagination and their brains to explore the book. He surly makes us think because we havent been on a deserted island before. I also think that his descriptive words add a additional effect to his wonderful piece of writting.
I agree with Mary Ruthe Carter about how the fire was a symbol. Just like in America, the flag is a symbol of freedom. The fire to the boys was a symbol of getting rescued. If they didnt care about the fire then they didn't care whether of not they were going to get rescued. Ralph was the only one that cared to keep the fire going. He knew it was there only chance and he was right. If they wouldnt have been rescued, who knows what would have become of the boys or who would be left on the island. They battled each other, Ralph and Jack, and in my opinion if they didn't have fire, only few would be left.
i agree whipkey, Golding could come right out and talk about the war and corruption if he wanted but in America we are told so much stuff every day that we dont have to think about, we just listen and shrug it off, but by putting all this thought into the book, it makes us think for once in stead of just being told and we can actually understand and feel for the point Golding was trying to get across. Just like the boys on the island who were probably told everything in their life, and then being put on this island made them have to think for themselves and figure out how to live a life.
You're right--intellectual work that is good for your mind requires just that: work. Work makes you better, and if that work is not stretching you to think harder, you won't. I know I won't if I am not stretched by a movie, book, song, argument, essay, assignment, discussion, blog session...
i agree with whipkey. Golding doesn't just flat out tell us what to think. He leaves us room to use our heads and share our ideas. If we were told what to think on a book then what would be the point in us reading it. Him giving us the idea and details of everything on the charcters and island lets us put things together. This gives us our own thoughts to include in the book. When we put our thoughts in the book it could possibly let us connect to the book even more.
Isn't it wicked that Jack's tribe wants to place Ralph's head on top of a spear in the end?
I believe Bern Oldsey was exactly correct. When Golding writes about the island, he never states exactly wat the island consists of. Therefore the reader must investigate within the text throughout the book and discover as the kids discover. the reader must also keep in mind all of the details throughout the book or else confusion ensues.
Leon Levitt makes a very good point in that the book is not about inner evil but instead about the evil of the western culture. I agree with this idea but I also think that Golding wants to talk about the evil in humnanity and how we all have the copasity for evil in our lives. Leon is correct to believe that the western culture is evil, just look at the media and how it revolves around sex, drugs, and violance so i do think the boys learned all of what they did on the island from the culture that they came from.
It's ironic: the only way the boys are "rescued" is by starting a fire large enough to be seen by the warring men in the sky and at sea. The only way the warring men see the island is due to the entire island burning to ashes. Are they really "rescued," though? Is their home still there? If there is nowhere for the boys to be taken, then they are not definitively "rescued."
Do we blame Jack, or do we blame his role models back home?
Do we blame Jack, or do we blame his role models back home? His role models are his military parents and other adults who cannot get along and who start war.
The purpose of any army should be to keep peace not seek to create/start war, right? I support our troops because we/they try to keep peace in the world.
I agree with Oldsey and Weintraub. Its strange how few ships pass but there is plans fighting in the sky above them. It seems like if planes were fighting in the sea. There would be ships around to pick up the pieces and bodies of their soldiers. Maybe Golding is showing that they are close to civilization but no way to obtain it. If they had a fire going at night and there were planes in the sky, some one would probably see the fire. Back then they couldn’t have landed a plan on the island but in today’s world they probably could have landed a helicopter.
Is this an apocalyptic novel?
At a Holocaust memorial: "Forgive, but never forget." Golding wants us to remember--and to change.
Mr. C, I really enjoy your teaching methods. You are different than all the other teachers I have ever had, in a good way. Instead of just trying to get through the lesson plans on time you put all your efforts into making sure that your students understand every minor detail about what you are teaching. You also understand that we are teenagers in high school and that yes school comes first but we also have different things we have to deal with in our lives such as: sports, work, or extra coricular activities. I also appreciate how you trust your students and I I know that students trust you more for it. Especially through out the reading of Lord of the Flies I havent had much time to sit down and read the entire book yet, because I have been busy with many other things in my life, and you giving us the extention on the due date is a huge relief.
Mr. Christensen said...
"... If there is nowhere for the boys to be taken, then they are not definitively 'rescued.'"
February 27, 2008 12:16 PM
I believe that they are rescued. They are rescued from themselves. From another dying from another going insane. But they no longer remember where they lived or who they really are. But they will no longer be savages, lets hope that they can fully recover though. It will be tough with out their natural parents but they will be taken care of and not forgotten like they were on the island. So I believe that they were rescued.
I agree with emily flint on the above post. Mr. C. is one of my best teachers, I really enjoy your class the 50 min usually always fly by, and if it doesn't whose fault is it? Probably mine, some teachers like to imagine that this is are only class but in reality we have 5-7 or even 8 other classes. And when you tell us to keep up the work and push the due date back it can be a huge stress reliever. Thank-you Mr. C. for being a great teacher!
i believe that the boys are both rescued and not rescued. they are indeed rescued from the island and taken home but they cannot just go back to normal. some of the boys have to live with knowing the fact that they killed someone. having to tell that boys family why theit son wasn't rescued. it would be hard for the boys to readjust to society. some of them probably won't be able to return to society because they have been through so much.
I agree with Bern Oldsey & Stanley Weintraub, they take the art right out of the book. Golding is so good with words that it makes you think you there going though the whole thing with the characters. Like you sitting inside the mind of your favorite character that being Ralph, Piggy, or even Jack. Golding use the right words to make you feel sad when its a sad part. Or like your running though the forest with Ralph. When Jack turns into a savage you know exactly when it happens. It's not hidden under weird words that you don't know. When he puts that paint on his face something snaps. When you can see the island in your head you know that your understanding the book on a whole new level.
I agree with 4carlsona when she said "I agree with Mary Ruthe Carter about how the fire was a symbol. Just like in America, the flag is a symbol of freedom. The fire to the boys was a symbol of getting rescued.". I think that is a great comparison. However sometimes i think humans judge to much about a person by symbols. For instance how they look. I dont think you can say that because jack is more worried about hunting than he is about the fire that means he doesnt want to be rescued. If I dont study everynight does that mean i dont care about school?
What if there is only ash elsewhere on the earth's surface?
Would a speech communicate the same ideas as this novel?
Good one Cory.
From Jerome Martin: "Butterflies (the symbol of beauty; in Greek: life, spirit, and breath) have frequently been present when Simon has communicated with nature, but they desert the place where the head of the pig is forced onto the stick sharpened at both ends" (412).
The butterflies are a recognizable/meaningful symbol for me. The opposites of flies , too. Butterflies create life and enjoy flowers. Flies require death and enjoy carcasses.
I agree with Sarah's comment about how they must be close to civilization. If there are plane flying around they would more likely of seen the smoke on top of the mountain at the being of the book. They could have gave the corrnidation to a ship and the kids would have been resuced...Also the place could have thought it was enmey terrority, so they would have stayed away. I also agree that there should have been ships to pick up all the planes that were shot down. They should have seen the smoke. I think it's funny that it took the whole island to be set on fire to get someone attention.
i dont think that a speach chould quiet express the reality of our humanity. if someone is making a speech they dont want to try to make themselves and the rest of human kind to seem bad. they want to find the good in people mostly, and somethings expressed in this novel are not something you could get across to an audience. Fear. Fear could translate, however the confusion of whats going to happen, what do people want and who wants who dead wouldn't translate.
But Jack let the fire go out while a ship sailed by. While he might think it would be all right to be saved, he is overly preoccupied with inspecting feces, sharpening spears, hunting pigs, eating raw meat, and satisfying pleasure-based urges.
I find it interesting how Oldsey points out that the island is very secluded and stowed away to the boys, but there are other things going on that they are oblivious to. Their plane was shot done therefore stating that there is war in the air above them and there are occasionally a couple ships that sail by that island every month or so. Golding does a good job of taking us throught the mysteries of this island the same way the boys go throught them. Both the reader and the boys are hled in suspense throughout the novel which leads to a more exciting reading experience.
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