Historical Context
Lord of the Flies was written by Nobel laureate William Golding (1911–1993) in the early 1950s and first published in 1954. The Hobbesian vision of young boys in the wilderness was in many ways a response to the horrors of World War II, and perhaps to the Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union as well. William Golding served as a British soldier during the war, witnessing unspeakable violence firsthand and losing his more pleasant illusions about human nature. Turning to fiction in the years after the war, Golding sought to address the question of how ordinary people can commit, or be complicit in, atrocities. As an answer, Lord of the Flies claims that cruelty, barbarity, and tribalism are inherent to humanity.
The novel also grapples with the shadowy history of British colonialism, which reached its zenith in the first half of the 20th century and began to wane rapidly in the years after World War II. Great Britain’s colonial era was marked by a tremendous territorial expansion, the subjugation of foreign cultures, and the exploitation of natural landscapes and resources. Echoes of these colonial trends and attitudes can be found in Golding’s island-bound boys, who seek to dominate both the island environment and each other. The boys’ savagery, increasingly exposed as their civilized façades crumble, expresses Golding’s implicit criticism of British colonialism, itself a savage endeavor donning the flimsy mask of civilization.
Expert Q&A
Does Golding offer solutions for society's ills in Lord of the Flies? Is he attacking Western Society?
"Lord of the Flies" as an Allegory of World War II
Lord of the Flies serves as an allegory of World War II by depicting the descent into savagery and the loss of innocence among the boys on the island, reflecting the broader chaos and moral decline experienced during the war. The conflict between Ralph and Jack symbolizes the struggle between civilization and barbarism, mirroring the ideological battles of the time.
Time period of the story in Lord of the Flies by William Golding
The story in Lord of the Flies by William Golding is set during an unspecified wartime period, likely around World War II. This context is inferred from the presence of a nuclear war, the boys' evacuation from Britain, and the references to military aircraft and naval officers.
The causes and implications of the social collapse on the island in "Lord of the Flies."
The social collapse on the island in Lord of the Flies is caused by the boys' descent into savagery, loss of order, and the overpowering influence of fear and primal instincts. This collapse illustrates the fragility of civilization and the inherent darkness within human nature, suggesting that societal rules and norms are necessary to maintain order and prevent chaos.
The representation of World War II and the embodiment of Hitler in Jack from "Lord of the Flies."
In Lord of the Flies, Jack represents the embodiment of Hitler and the chaos of World War II. His rise to power and authoritarian rule over the boys on the island mirror Hitler's dictatorship and the descent into savagery reflects the war's brutality. Jack's actions illustrate the dangers of unchecked power and the loss of moral integrity.
Historical and Literary Context in "Lord of the Flies"
Lord of the Flies reflects its historical context by drawing parallels to events like "Operation Pied Piper" and the broader impact of World War II and the Cold War. Written in 1954, the novel mirrors post-war anxieties about human nature and societal collapse. Golding's experiences in WWII influence the book's dark themes of innate evil and civilization's fragility. The struggle between characters like Ralph and Jack symbolizes tensions between democracy and communism, resonating with Cold War fears.
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