In Lord of the Flies,how does William Golding use the literary tradition of the adventure story to explore deeper aspects of human life

        Lord of the Flies is a novel in which a group of schoolboys are stranded on a desert island following a plane crash in which all adults are killed. They vote for a chief, make a signal fire, build shelters and kill pigs for food. But soon the rivalry between Ralph, the chief, and Jack, leader of the hunters, becomes so great that Jack forms his own tribe. The two groups fight for power and supreme leadership but eventually Jack wins and nearly all of the boys join his tribe. After Piggy and Simon are killed, and Sam ‘n’ Eric are forced to become part of Jack’s tribe, only Ralph is ‘unconverted’. In Jack’s final attempt to become ultimate leader of the island, the island is set on fire and a passing naval ship sees the smoke and comes to the rescue just in time. The quarrel is over and the boys return to their original state.

        Lord of the Flies is an allegory. ‘Allegory’ means a representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. Lord of the Flies is an allegory because it is a novel that incorporates these ideas. The whole island is an example of a microcosm – a community and situation, which is regarded as having the characteristics of a larger place such as the world. Ralph represents democracy and order. He tries to make sure that they have what they need, the shelters and the signal fire, but he finds it difficult because of Jack’s resistance. Piggy represents intelligence he always sees the things they need to do in a sensible and responsible manner like getting his glasses back. Simon represents goodness; he is a Christ-like figure. He is always good, helpful and never descends to the savagery that the other boys – he is the only one who helps with the shelters and does what Ralph says. Jack represents savagery and the decline to anarchy. He never agrees with Ralph’s judgements and ideas and he never does what he needs. He is the first one to kill another living thing on the island and this is our first sign that the boys are never going to work properly as a group. Roger represents pure evil and dishonesty. He bullies the younger boys, is scornful towards Piggy and never respects the views of the other boys. Sam and Eric represent alliance, loyalty and unity. They always do the same as each other. Being twins they become known as ‘Samneric’ as other boys can never tell them apart.