Another substantial difference between Lord of The Flies and Coral Island is the importance religion plays in maintaining civilisation on the island. Ballantyne uses Christianity to hold the group together, and gradually, even the natives are converted into the Christian ways. “Tararo came to him and said he wished to become a Christian;” this wish from one of the natives is a major event in Coral Island as the others soon follow his lead, meaning the boys improve their relationship with the experienced natives. In contrast, the only religion in Lord of The Flies is one of savageness, pigs’ heads on sticks and cannibalism. This has a major importance as it splits the group with Ralph and Jack both leading different groups. “A savage who carried a spear,” shows the decline of civilisation on the island and shows that Golding is the much more pessimistic, as he believes that civilisation is superficial and would decline quickly, whereas RM Ballantyne is more optimistic and hopeful. “And spreading, if possible, the light of the glorious gospel there” shows that Christianity has had a big part in maintaining a civilisation; and that everyone on the island believes in the Christian ways.
Another distinction between the attitude of Golding and Ballantyne while writing the books is the children’s reaction to leaving the island. In Lord of the Flies Ralph especially seems immensely relieved that he is able to escape probable death if he remained on the island; while the other boys are just happy to return home and lead a normal life again, one without spears and murder. “Other boys were appearing now, lots of them,” shows that everyone was glad to see the officer and they were anxious to escape the island. On the contrary the relationships in Coral Island between the characters is so strong that the children seem to have mixed emotions about leaving. “We felt deep regret at parting with the natives,” revealing that the final chapter provides evidence to the view that the children have grown fond of the natives and are sad to leave the island where they have enjoyed such an experience.
A further difference between the way Golding and Ballantyne have closed their books is the relationship between characters. Golding has made a divide in the group, and as a result there is a rivalry and towards the end of the book, relationships are so strained they kill Piggy and Simon, and attempt to kill Ralph until he is saved by the emergence of the officer. “‘How many of you are there?’
‘Ralph shook his head.’” This shows that there is a lack of knowledge and understanding on the island. In contrast Ballantyne gives his characters a strong relationship and understanding. “That’s my idea precisely,” shows that two boys share a similar understanding that is very unlikely to occur in Lord of The Flies. “We felt a growing affection for the natives and missionary,” says Ballantyne, which also shows that the children share a strong bond with the natives.
Another distinction between Lord of The Flies and Coral Island is the attitude of the author. Golding obviously thinks that civilisation would fail with children on an island and makes a reference to this in the final chapter. “I know. Jolly good show. Like on the Coral Island.” The officer is mistaken in thinking that the boys were only pretending to have a war and didn’t realise the full extent of what had happened. In contrast Ballantyne is much more optimistic and, thanks partly to the natives being on the island, civilisation has been maintained throughout the book.
I can conclude that Golding and Ballantyne convey contrasting views using different techniques. The plot, characters and tone of the stories are similar at the beginning, but the further the books progress, the more the characters from Lord of The Flies fall out and civilisation diminishes, while the characters from Coral Island continue to bond and have more brotherly feelings towards the natives.
