Lord of the Flies

4.3 (10,702 ratings)

Written by: William Golding

Performed by: William Golding

Length: 6 hrs 35 mins

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Marking the debut of British author William Golding, Lord of the Flies tackles the grim realities of human nature through the eyes of young boys cast away on an uninhabited island. Published in 1954, this allegorical novel examines the catastrophic attempts of these boys to govern themselves with no adults in sight. While the lack of rules is exciting at first, their attempts to create a functional society crumble as primal instincts and the lure of power overwhelm their initial intentions for civility and order.

The story begins with the crash landing of a plane on a remote Pacific island amid a fictional wartime evacuation. Among the survivors, Ralph and Piggy discover a conch shell, using it to gather the others and establish a semblance of democracy. Ralph is elected as their leader with his promise of maintaining signals for rescue. However, as division and fear take root, spearheaded by Jack's militaristic takeover, the island's society spirals into chaos.

Themes of morality, leadership, and the inherent dichotomy of human nature are explored as the boys divide into factions, with Jack leading a group into savagery and violence. The boys’ descent is marked by horrifying events—the mistaken murder of Simon, a sensitive soul who converses with a pig's head dubbed the "Lord of the Flies," and the brutal killing of Piggy, the intellectual backbone of Ralph's group. The collapse of their social experiment culminates in a savage hunt for Ralph, only halted by the unexpected arrival of a naval officer, brought to the island by the smoke of a catastrophic fire. The story ends with the boys weeping for their lost innocence, a poignant critique of the dark potential within human nature.

Lord of the Flies has received critical acclaim and remains a staple in academic curricula for its profound exploration of the themes of civilization vs. savagery, the loss of innocence, and the invisible yet potent line between order and chaos. The novel's allegorical nature allows for multiple interpretations, making it fertile ground for discussion regarding the structure of society, leadership, and the inherent tendencies within human psychology.

More like this

This is a carousel with manual navigation. Use the buttons below to navigate.

About the author

William Gerald Golding, CBE FRSL, was an esteemed British novelist, playwright, and poet. He is best known for his 1954 debut novel Lord of the Flies, a cautionary tale exploring the duality of human nature. His successive novels include The Inheritors, The Free Fall, Pincher Martin, and Rites of Passage, which earned him the Booker Prize in 1980. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983, in recognition of his exploration of the human condition through his novels. In 1988, he was honored as a knight, becoming Sir William Golding.

Born in Newquay, Cornwall, England, in 1911, Golding studied natural sciences at Oxford University to appease his parents. Before long, his passion for English literature prevailed, leading him to shift his focus. He published his first work, a collection of poems, before completing his college education. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II, participating in significant events such as the Normandy invasion. His wartime experiences greatly influenced his writing, shaping his views of survivalism, leadership, and the human capacity for brutality. Following the war, he returned to England and embarked on a teaching career while continuing to pursue his writing. Named a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, he went on to both garner critical acclaim and enjoy commercial success as an author.

Golding passed away on June 19, 1993, in Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England, leaving a literary legacy that continues to influence and inspire authors as well as readers. His final novel, The Double Tongue, was published posthumously. In 2008, The Times ranked William Golding third on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945," solidifying his place as a pivotal figure in 20th-century literature.