How is the idea of POWER introduced in Chapter 1?

Quotation/Evidence Device Explanation/Analysis

“Most powerfully, there Symbolism Early in the novel,
was the conch.’ Golding establishes the
Pg 19 conch shell as a symbol
for power. The reason
Ralph is regarded as
powerful or with
leadership qualities is
when he has the conch.
Although Golding
develops the conch as a
motif throughout the
novel, in the beginning it
is used to show who
holds power.
“Immediately the thing Imagery Golding uses imagery to
sounded. A deep, harsh Symbolism depict the conch as a
note boomed... clouds of symbol of power.
birds rose from the tree- “Something squealed
tops, and some-thing and ran” portrays the
squealed and ran” capacity of the conch
Pg 12 however also
foreshadows how when
not being blown, holds
no power of its own.
“Better piggy than fatty’ Characterisation In this quote, William
he said at last, with the Dialogue Golding uses direct
directness of genuine Foreshadowing characterisation and
leadership.” dialogue to indicate
Pg 21 Ralph as a leader and a
bigger figure. “With the
directness of genuine
leadership” indicates
Ralph’s strong
personality and
foreshadows later on in
the book where he is
 voted chief.
‘“I ought to be chief,” Tricolon, Golding represents
said Jack with simple characterisation and power using a tricolon in
arrogance, “because I'm dialogue Jack’s dialogue, strongly
chapter chorister and emphasising his reasons
head boy. I can sing C of becoming the chief.
sharp”’ His arrogance shown in
his speech and thought
of being high in
hierarchy is suggested
when he uses a tricolon
to emphasise the least of
three things he can do.
Through this, Jack is then
characterised as a
powerful and obnoxious
young boy, who puts
himself before others, in
other words described
as selfish.
“What intelligence had Character Foil William Golding uses
been shown was character foil to
traceable to Piggy while characterise and reflect
the most obvious leader on the leadership
was Jack” qualities of Piggy and
Pg 19 Jack. Piggy is established
as intelligent and is
compared to Jack –
showing his lack of
intelligence. This
emphasises the power
dynamic and respected
qualities of those in
power on the island.
Link to purpose and context:
Why do you think Golding is introducing this idea?
Golding introduces this idea of power early in the novel, to explore the abuse of power that also
pertains to reality. He utilises techniques such as symbolism, imagery and characterisation to
represent the conch as a symbol of power. From when the conch is first established, to
foreshadowing the fall of power and eventually the destroying of the conch, he creates a powerful
symbol of power to explain the effect when misused and abused.
Is he subverting or affirming what his readers may have known about this idea?

What context may be relevant in discussing this idea?

The main context associated with discussing this content is the idea of being trapped in
island through a plane crash with no power, order or organisation established. Without a
government or leader on this island, this idea of power is negotiated and respected on this
island.
 Reflects his first-hand experience with competition for power during world wars and
in his military experience
 Confront ideas in the real world for a wider audience
 Political allegory: Jack- Hitler, Ralph- Franklin Rosevelt, Piggy- Winston Churchill
interrogates the nature of power in the real world and how it is used and abused for
different means
 Fears and anxieties from the world wars and the Cold War
 How is the idea of INNOCENCE introduced in Chapter 1?
Quotation/Evidence Device Explanation/Analysis
“Eyes that Religious The use of religious allegory to
proclaimed no devil.” Allegory reinforce the theme of innocence in
p5 the first chapter. Golding uses the lack
of devil in the eyes of the boy to show
the purity that still exists within these
boys. Golding refers to the Bible and
Christianity to contrast the innocence
that is only present in that start of the
book. Like in the story of Adam and
Eve humanity will eventually sin and
their downfall is inevitable.
“...because of the Foreshadowing Golding foreshadows the loss of
unbearable blood” innocence and morale, and the boy's
loss of value for human life. By
portraying their perspective of blood
as ‘unbearable,’ it shows how
innocence is still alive in these boys.
“The air was thick Motif Golding uses butterflies to symbolise
with butterflies, innocence throughout the novel. In
lifting, fluttering, Chapter 1, the butterflies are used to
settling.” establish the presence of innocence.
p25 However, in Chapter 8, the butterflies
are once again referred to, “the
butterflies danced” (p.g 146) and “the
sow collapsed under them... the
butterflies still danced...” (p.g 149),
before and after Jack and his hunters
successfully kill the sow. This
represents the façade of innocence
disappearing.
Link to purpose and context:
Why do you think Golding is introducing this idea?
William Golding introduces the idea of innocence to portray how evil can easily corrupt even the
purest (e.g., the choir boys) people, and how human nature is actually not innocent at all. He uses
the theme of innocence to represent the civilisation that the boys bring with them to the island, and
contrasts this from themes such as savagery, evil, and nature that the boys leave with.

Is he subverting or affirming what his readers may have known about this idea?
Golding introduces this idea through the optimism and innocence that is often associated with
children. This affirms what many people already believe about children but throughout the novel
Godling subverts this view with the eventual fall of their humanity. In the first Chapter, Golding is
assuring them that people usually have good intentions in mind, but it is their actions that lead to
their downfall.

What context may be relevant in discussing this idea?

Golding’s context throughout this text was based off the wars that he had experienced and
humanity overall. He shows how innocence can affect the decisions we make through the
influence our feelings and morals have on our thoughts. Golding witnessed innocent men
descend into evil and chose to use children to portray the same narrative, to show that any
human can be corrupted.
 How is the idea of SAVAGERY introduced in Chapter 1?
Quotation/Evidence Device Explanation/Analysis
“They knew very well Foreshadowing Golding uses this statement to
why he hadn’t: because indicate that the only barrier
of the enormity of the stopping the boys from
knife descending and embracing their innate
cutting into living flesh; savagery is the ‘unbearable
because of the blood’, however, their extreme
unbearable blood... Next hunger (established
time there would be no previously) takes precedence
mercy.” ~ pg 29 and thus Golding is able to
explore the theme of savagery
through this foreshadowing
“...a bird, a vision of red Simile, Language, Golding uses his language to
and yellow, flashed Mood create a foreboding mood to
upwards with a witch- the seemingly idyllic island the
like cry; and this cry was boys are on. The simile
echoed by another.” pg 1 comparing the bird’s call to a
“witch-like cry” transforms a
simple detail into an ominous
symbol of what the boys
might face in the untamed
jungle. The bird serves as a
warning to the reader that the
setting is dangerous and wild.
“Jack drew his knife Foreshadowing Golding uses foreshadowing
again with a flourish... to show that Jack will be
the blade continued to overtaken by savagery and his
flash at the end of a passions for hunting. This was
bony arm.” evident when Golding stated,
“continued to flash at the end
of a bony arm.” The diction
used in this extract creates
Jack’s callous and bloodthirsty
character.
“He became conscious Symbolism and Golding uses the symbol of
of the weight of his allegory clothes to represent civility
clothes...and stood there and to strengthen the allusion
naked, looking at the to the bible and Adam and
dazzling beach and the Eves realisation or their civility
water.” pg 5 which leads them to put on
clothes versus Ralphs loss of
civility in his removal of
clothes.

Link to purpose and context:

Why do you think Golding is introducing this idea?
Golding is introducing this idea to strenghten his overall purpose of highlighting the inherent appeal
of going into savagery and the subversion of the archetypal protagonist. By introducing it early on in
the novel it shows the greater development of the boys character and inevitable loss of civility.
Is he subverting or affirming what his readers may have known about this idea?
Most of his readers at the time the novel was published possessed the idea that savagery existed
only in especially primal and rural communities and tribes, whereas to be civilised was to be
educated academically, socially or in manners. They were wrong so golding pointed that out ayayay
What context may be relevant in discussing this idea?
 How is the idea of EVIL introduced in Chapter 1?
Quotation/Evidence
Strange things
happened at midday.
The glittering
sea...moved apart in
planes of blatant
impossibility ...Piggy
discounted all this
learnedly as a “mirage”;
and . . . they grew
accustomed to these
mysteries and ignored
them...”
“He still says he saw the - Foreshadowing
beastie. It came and
went away again an’
came back and wanted
to eat him—” pg.35
Device Explanation/Analysis
- Descriptive Serving as a façade, the
language island is described to be a
- Setting ‘paradise’ for civilisation.
- Mood However, as time
progresses, this is not the
case. This quote shows how
although the island may
house a ‘glittering sea,’ there
are still many ‘strange
things’ happening.
Something larger is afoot,
and the boys ignore it, but
they aren’t in control of the
island despite growing
accustomed to the odd
happenings.
This quote mentions the
- Symbolism ‘beastie’ - this is Golding
foreshadowing of a central
symbol in the novel. This
moment is the beginning of
the boys’ growing fear of the
‘beastie,’ which, coupled
with their lack of authority
and control of the island (at
this point in the book),
allows more capacity for evil
and fear.
The ‘beastie’ is Golding’s way
of interweaving the theme of
evil in Lord of the Flies.
Golding was a serving officer
during World War 2 before
he authored the novel, and
having seen and participated
in what is considered the
deadliest conflict in history,
 the idea of the inherent evil
of man was laid right before
him. This theme is reflected
in the novel using the
‘beastie’.
They had guessed Golding uses his language to
before that this was an create a sense of foreboding,
island... they had known despite the seemingly
by some instinct that utopian paradise that they
the sea lay on every are on.
side. But there seemed
something more fitting
in leaving the last word
till they stood on the
top, and could see a
circular horizon of
water...
“This is ours.”
Link to purpose and context:
Why do you think Golding is introducing this idea?

The island, which serves as a backdrop for the boys’ isolation and thus the absence of authority,
portrays a type of paradise, or Garden of Eden upon which the boys can create their own civilisation
from scratch. There is a plentiful supply of food, and fresh water for drinking and swimming.
However, as soon as they arrive on the island, there seems to be signs that the boys have disturbed
the sanctity of the island awakened evil within, symbolised by the long scar and the bird’s “witch-like
cry”. Furthermore, throughout the story, the island remains a mysterious place that increasingly
distorts the boys’ perception of reality and fosters fear.

When the boys lay claim to the island, they believe it is their salvation. However, this is ironic,
because the island ends up harming their mental, physical and spiritual state of being. This is
because its temptations and This is as if they hadn’t spent so much time enjoying the island’s
temptations, like the pigs and the pools, they would have tended the fire better and would’ve been
saved before they become murderous savages.

Is he subverting or affirming what his readers may have known about this idea?
He is subverting what his audience would have initially thought, as he introduces it as an
untouched paradise, with only subtle hints of the darkness ahead.

What context may be relevant in discussing this idea?

The destruction that Golding saw during the wars and the great depression would have led him to
believe that humanity was heading down a dark path, and that it destroys everything that is good.
He witnessed young British men kill. This is relevant because the paradise that the boys land on is,
from the beginning, impacted
- Island starts of being a ‘paradise’ which becomes a façade
- Boys find the island to be an adventurous place and start to find fun it it
- The longer they’re there they start to become savage
- World war sounds fun and then becomes savage…
 How is the idea of CIVILISATION introduced in Chapter 1?
Quotation/Evidence Device Explanation/Analysis
“But there was a stillness Motif, dialogue Golding characterises Ralph in the eyes
about Ralph as he sat that and direct of the boys as someone to be admired,
marked him out: there was characterisation,having the qualities of a leader they want
his size, and attractive protagonist to follow by his appearance. The motif of
appearance; and most the conch is directly addressed as
obscurely, yet most powerful while obscure; a silent keeper
powerfully, there was the of civilisation more significant than
conch.” Ralph.
“Seems to me we ought to Dialogue, In this quotation, we can see that
have a chief to decide Characterisation, Golding is showing the young boy’s
things.” Plot(progression instinct to form a society and find a
“let’s have a vote.” Iin the plot) leader. After going to school and living in
“Vote for Chief!” civilisation for their whole life this is the
first thing they think of, building on their
characterisation of people fresh out of
civilisation. Choosing a chief is a clear
progression in the plot as it leads to lots
of fighting about who will be leader. This
is an allusion to William Golding’s
personal context of the war, where
people are constantly fighting to be the
leader.
Foreshadowing, Golding is showing through this quote
“Aren’t there any grown-ups dialogue, how there are no grown-ups and how
at all?’ the boys must create their own
‘I don’t think so.’ civilisation. It is foreshadowing how even
The fair boy said this though they are happy about the
solemnly; but then the absence of grown-ups now, later in the
delight of a realised narrative they want grown-ups to uphold
ambition civilisation as they become savages
overcame him...
“No grown-ups!”
“The toy of voting was Dialogue, Throughout the novel Golding reinforces
almost as pleasing as the descriptive the idea of civilisation and order through
conch. Jack started to
language, plot a myriad of literary techniques. Here the
protest but the clamour children host a vote for their leader. They
changed from the general and are grasping at a sense of control by
wish for a chief to an protagonist acting civilised. As the novel progresses,
election by acclaim of Ralph readers see how this moment
himself.” contributes to the plot of the novel as
there is some later dispute on who
should lead the boys of the island. In
addition, Ralph is portrayed as the
protagonist throughout the book, and
 him being chosen as leader may further
the idea that he is favoured over Jack.
‘I expect we’ll want to know Dialogue, direct “...said the fat boy,” dialogue used only
all their names,’ said the fat characterisation recognises Piggy adjectively as a fat boy,
boy, ‘and make a list. We and descriptive matching the context that they don’t
ought to have a meeting.’ language know anyone’s name and need to make a
list, evidence of their engraved instinct to
establish civilisation. It is also directly
characterising Piggy as lesser than the
other boys, and how all
Link to purpose and context:
Why do you think Golding is introducing this idea?
Is he subverting or affirming what his readers may have known about this idea?
Affirming
What context may be relevant in discussing this idea?

Golding introduces the concept of controlled and civilised meetings that the boys organise
themselves at the beginning of the novel. Instantaneously they congregate with a conch and
vote for a leader. This alludes to their school life, similar to the hierarchy of the educational
system in which there is a principle, a vice assistant and students. Golding develops this idea
of “civilisation” to foreshadow the eventual decline and loss of it. The context of the British
society outside of this island reinforces the boy’s motivation to develop this system of voting
and leadership.
 WW2 and Cold War anxieties against communism (opposite of
democracy) reflected- shows that democracy is not infallible and that it
can also descend into a lack of order