SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE

INTRODUCTION

William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies" explores the depths of human nature through a
gripping narrative that unfolds on a deserted island. The title itself, derived from "Beelzebub,"
hints at the novel's core theme of inherent evil and the struggle between civilization and
savagery. Through symbolic elements like the pig's head and characters such as Simon,
Golding delves into the darker impulses within humanity, challenging conventional beliefs
about human goodness. This exploration aligns with biblical concepts of original sin and
critiques societal structures, advocating for individual morality over external controls.
Golding's work serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of civilization when faced with
primal instincts.

BODY PART

The title "Lord of the Flies" is deeply significant and fitting for William Golding's novel as it
directly hints at the central theme of the narrative. The name "Lord of the Flies" is a
translation of "Beelzebub," a term found in both the Old and New Testaments, referring to a
prince of demons. This reference immediately signals to the reader that the novel will
explore themes related to evil and the battle between good and evil, which indeed becomes
the primary focus of the story.

The phrase "Lord of the Flies" first appears in Chapter 8 when Simon encounters the
fly-covered head of a pig in the jungle. This head was left as an offering to the imagined
"beast" by Jack and his hunters. Jack's act of cutting off the sow's head and leaving it as a
sacrifice signifies an attempt to appease the beast, which represents the boys' growing fear
and descent into savagery. Simon, hiding and observing this macabre scene, perceives the
head as Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies. In a hallucinatory moment, Simon feels as if the
pig's head is speaking to him, telling him that it is a part of everyone and responsible for their
troubles. "You thought the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! ... You knew, didn't
you? I'm part of you." The hostile island and its dark mysteries symbolize the savagery,
bestiality, and destruction within the boys themselves.The pig's head on a stick becomes a
powerful symbol of terror and unreason. The flies swarming over the decaying head
represent the primitive urges that increasingly dominate the boys.

Golding's allegory extends beyond individual characters to encompass broader human

qualities. Ralph's sense of adventure and common sense, Piggy's intellectualism, Simon's
spiritual insight, Roger's sadistic tendencies, and Jack's inclination toward destruction all
represent facets of human nature. The novel suggests that these impulses are inherent in all
people, and it is the individual's moral outlook that determines how they are expressed.
Golding challenges the notion that humans are naturally good and are corrupted by society,
arguing instead that evil is an innate part of human nature.
Golding's perspective aligns with the Biblical view of human nature, particularly the concept
of original sin as depicted in the Book of Genesis. The story of Adam and Eve's
disobedience and subsequent fall from grace is seen as a metaphor for the inherent
sinfulness of humanity. Golding's belief in the "fall of man" is evident in his depiction of the
boys' regression into savagery. He posits that man is born with a predisposition toward evil,
and societal norms are necessary to control these instincts. When freed from these
constraints, as the boys are on the island, their true savage nature emerges.

"Lord of the Flies" operates as a religious allegory, particularly through the character of
Simon. Unlike other characters, Simon embodies pure allegory. The novel's title derives from
Beelzebub, a term within the Jewish hierarchy of demons meaning "Lord of the Flies," a
chief representative of false gods. Anderson suggests that the central theme of the novel is
the descent from innocence into sin, culminating in damnation.The island, lush and bountiful,
parallels the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve once thrived. The turning point comes
when Jack, resembling the serpent, entices the other boys with meat, leading them away
from Ralph, thus transforming paradise into hell.The forest thereby turns into a place of
destruction and decay which shows the boys’ regression to savagery. Simon emerges as a
redeemer figure, symbolizing faith and spiritual qualities such as kindness, virtue, generosity,
and the courage to seek the truth. He serves as the group's spiritual leader and
prophet.While the boys are paralyzed by fear of the beast, Simon ventures alone into the
forest and discovers that the supposed beast is merely the decayed corpse of a parachutist.
Simon attempts to reveal this truth but is tragically killed by the boys, who mistake him for
the beast during a frenzied dance. This mirrors the fate of Christ, who was crucified for
spreading the gospel truth. Consequently, evil prevails by destroying reason, intelligence,
and virtue.

Golding shows how even innocent children can become savage when there are no rules
from society. Many readers and critics think the main idea of the book is that humans are
naturally evil and that there's little hope for humanity. However, Golding also explores the
conflict between good and evil. While the novel portrays the presence of evil in human
nature through characters like Jack and his savage followers, it also suggests that goodness
exists in people, seen in characters like Ralph, Piggy, and Simon. Piggy, despite being part
of the group that accidentally kills Simon, tries to justify it as a mistake caused by fear.
Conversely, early in the story, Jack struggles with the idea of killing a boar, showing a hint of
goodness despite later becoming more savage. These contrasts highlight the internal
struggle between good and evil within each character. Overall, Golding's novel examines
how both sides exist within human nature, portraying the complex interplay between
innocence and savagery when societal norms are absent. These children bring with them
the knowledge of good and evil from the society they grew up in, where good behavior is
rewarded and bad behavior is punished, shaping civilization. Away from societal rules, the
children lose their individual identities and engage in harmful actions as a group.

The story is not merely about the tragic fate of a group of boys but rather a reflection of the
tragedy of all humanity. It depicts how grown-up "children" turn against their companions with
violence. Golding critiques the civilization that humanity prides itself on, suggesting it is
merely a superficial layer. In times of crisis, this outer cover disintegrates, revealing the true
nature of humans. The battle against evil is not about fighting others but confronting our own
desires and inner darkness. "Lord of the Flies" explores this inherent evil within us. Foucault,
in the preface to "Anti-Oedipus," stated that the primary adversary is fascism, not just
historical fascism like that of Hitler and Mussolini, but also the fascism within us that drives
our love for power and our desire to dominate and exploit others. In "Lord of the Flies,"
Simon realizes this internal struggle when he encounters the Beast.

Golding's work is comparable to Joseph Conrad's exploration of inner darkness in modern

man. He emphasizes that the defects of human nature shape society, and without external
control, humans revert to their primal state. They both suggest that every person harbors a
"heart of darkness," an inherent evil suppressed by civilized norms. When removed from
society's constraints, this darkness can emerge unchecked. In "Heart of Darkness," as
Marlow travels up the Thames River, he moves away from civilization and deeper into a
realm devoid of societal morals, where savagery prevails. Similarly, in "Lord of the Flies," the
boys stranded on the island gradually become more savage the longer they are isolated
from civilization. Another similarity is seen in the characters: both novels feature protagonists
and antagonists with parallels. Each has a character who succumbs to their "heart of
darkness" and another who resists, striving to maintain their morals and return to civilization.
For instance, Kurtz in "Heart of Darkness" embraces his dark impulses, abandoning his
moral principles in the wilderness. Marlow, however, maintains his values despite the journey
away from civilization. In "Lord of the Flies," Jack embodies the character who gives in to
savagery, turning against his friends. Ralph, in contrast, struggles against the darkness
within himself and others, ultimately realizing the extent of savagery around him, particularly
in Jack, even as he faces his own mortality.

Finally, Kurtz and Jack are seen as symbols of true darkness because they not only failed
life's tests but also appeared to accept their situations. The evil within all individuals can
manifest in different ways—through actions taken or actions not taken. Edmund Burke's
quote, "Evil happens when good men do nothing," illustrates this concept (Encarta
Quotations). Jack and his group's dark nature is confirmed by their final actions, particularly
the brutal murder of Piggy, which was unnecessary and symbolic of their rejection of
civilization. This act, along with earlier dismissals of civilization, represents their first acts of
omission. Their descent into savagery demonstrates a disregard for reason and reality,
crucial aspects of maintaining inner goodness. Similarly, in "Heart of Darkness," Marlow and
Kurtz both operate in the dangerous Congo, involved in ivory trade for power and wealth.
Despite their similar greed and stubbornness, their outcomes differ significantly due to their
choices—acts of commission and omission—leading to varied consequences.

In "Lord of the Flies," the brutal climax unfolds with Roger's symbolic act of violence using a
large rock to kill Piggy. This event marks a significant turning point as the conch shell, a
symbol of order and civilization, shatters along with Piggy's life. The impact of the rock not
only physically destroys Piggy but also symbolically represents the collapse of reason and
moral order on the island.As Piggy's body is washed away by the sea, Ralph, shocked and
grieving, faces the aggression of Jack's tribe. Jack, now completely consumed by savagery
and power, launches a spear at Ralph, who narrowly escapes, which shows a note of
cannibalism. This violent confrontation solidifies Jack's dominance and Ralph's precarious
position as an outcast. Ralph, also finds himself abandoned by his former tribe members,
Sam and Eric, who have sided with Jack out of fear and coercion.This final sequence
underscores the complete breakdown of civilized behavior among the boys. Ralph, the last
vestige of rationality and morality, is hunted down like an animal, reflecting the tragic descent
into savagery that has engulfed the once-innocent boys stranded on the island.

CONCLUSION

The novel's title, "Lord of the Flies," is thus highly appropriate as it encapsulates the central
theme of inherent human evil. Through the character of Simon and his encounter with the
pig's head, Golding conveys the message that the true beast is the darkness within each
person. The novel's exploration of this theme challenges the reader to reconsider the nature
of human goodness and the fragility of civilization in the face of our primal instincts.