Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - Lord of the Flies by William Golding

"Lord of the Flies" is a captivating tale of a group of British schoolboys who find themselves stranded on an uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean during a nuclear war. The novel explores the themes of power, savagery, and the human psyche, as the boys struggle to survive and maintain order in their new environment.

Golding's narrative is structured in such a way that it captures the gradual descent of civilized behavior into savagery. The story begins with the boys' plane crash-landing on the island, leaving them stranded without any adult supervision. The first chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book, as the boys begin to realize the gravity of their situation and start to establish a sense of order and leadership. Ralph, one of the boys, is elected as the leader and sets out to create a system of rules and responsibilities for the group.

As the days go by, the boys' civilized behavior starts to crumble, and they become increasingly savage and violent. The boys' descent into savagery is illustrated by their obsession with hunting, their disregard for the rules, and their growing disrespect for Ralph's leadership. The boys' behavior is further complicated by their internal conflicts, as they struggle to find their place in the new society they have created.

One of the most significant events in the book is the introduction of the character of Jack, who challenges Ralph's leadership and creates a rival group of hunters. Jack represents the dark side of human nature and embodies the primal desire for power and control. His group becomes more and more violent, and they eventually become hunters of human prey. Jack's character is emblematic of the Nietzschean concept of the will to power, where the desire for power is seen as the most fundamental drive in human nature.

As the boys continue to devolve into savagery, they begin to lose sight of their original goal of being rescued. The conflict between Ralph and Jack's group of hunters escalates, leading to a violent confrontation that results in the death of two boys and the destruction of the makeshift civilization the boys had created. The climax of the book is a powerful illustration of the destructive power of human nature.

The final chapter of the book sees the boys being rescued by a passing naval officer, who is shocked by the boys' savage behavior. The novel ends on a somber note, as the boys return to civilization, having lost their innocence and their faith in the inherent goodness of humanity. Golding's ending is a poignant reminder of the fragility of civilization and the potential for savagery in all of us.

"Lord of the Flies" is a powerful allegory that explores the dark side of human nature and the fragility of civilization. The novel is a warning against the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of maintaining order and morality in society. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of the human psyche and the eternal struggle between good and evil. The book is a masterclass in character development, world-building, and storytelling, and it remains a timeless classic of English literature.