Why does Golding decide to set his story on an island? Why is the island important?
Golding may have had many motives for making the setting of his novel ‘Lord of the Flies’ an island. The seclusion of the setting exemplifies how the children have been left to their own devices and the nature of the island highlights the way it is perceived, firstly as a good place before changing. These are both important themes in the novel.
Golding chose to set his novel ‘Lord of the Flies’ on an island as it was a way to exemplify seclusion and being alone. Although the initial reaction of the character Ralph is that “no adults” may have negative connotations, he abruptly becomes aware “of a realized ambition” and feels that no adults may actually be a positive thing. However, as the novel progresses it becomes acutely apparent that the lack of adults may be a negative thing. Although the boys attempt to create a civilised community holding meetings “every day, twice a day” and constructing shelters, the childish nature of the youths overcomes them resulting in a devolution into savagery. Golding focuses mainly on the characters Piggy, Ralph and Jack, who represent between them what most of the other children are like. While Ralph and Piggy cling desperately to civilisation for the duration of the novel, Jack is found to be “hunting” and killing, a very changed character from the “chief chorister” in the first chapter.
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This essay shows a very strong understanding of the text and illustrates points clearly. It would have been very useful to look at the island itself in more detail - its geography, the presence of animals, the use of territory, etc. Nearly top marks! ****