Complete Analysis of the Key Elements of Lord of the Flies
Complete Analysis of the Key Elements of Lord of the Flies
SETTING
The action of the novel has been set sometime in the future. A planeload of boys has been evacuated from England, where a war is being fought against 'the reds'. After their departure, an atom bomb has fallen on England and destroyed their civilization. The plane carrying the boys is attacked by an enemy aircraft. The passenger tube carrying the boys is thrown out and the plane
crashes, but the boys land safely on an uninhabited island that at first seems like a paradise to the boys.
CHARACTERS
Major Characters
Ralph - a fair haired boy of about 12 years of age. He is the son of a naval officer and a born leader. As the initial leader of the group of boys, he tries to remain rational and fair. Even after most of the boys have deserted him, he tries to maintain his rationality.
Jack - a self-centered twelve-year old boy who is a contrast to Ralph. Both impulsive and aggressive, he is a tall, thin boy with red hair. At the beginning of the book, he is head of the choir boys, but wants to be the chief. When he forms his own group, he turns the boys into hunters and savages.
Piggy - a friend of Ralph who supports the leader until the end. He is short, fat, physically unfit, and suffering from asthma. He wears thick spectacles and is almost blind without them. Although he is the most rational and sensible boy in the group, all the others enjoy making fun of him, especially Jack. He is killed at the end of the novel by Roger, who rolls a huge boulder onto him.
Simon - a small, skinny boy with straight, coarse hair. He keeps to himself, thinks deeply about things, wanders alone in the jungle, and has trouble communicating. He discovers the dead airman
whom the other children call the beast. He is mistaken for the beast and killed when he tries to explain. He is presented as a Christ-like figure.
Minor Characters
Sam and Eric - identical twins who are always found together. They side with Ralph until Jack forces them to join his tribe.
Roger - a sadistic boy who becomes Jack's right hand when he is the savage chief. Cruel and brutal, he pushes a boulder towards Piggy and kills him....