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Fiction Digvijay Pandya, Lovely Professional University

Notes
Unit 25: William Golding—Lord of the Flies:

Detailed Study of Text-I

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
25.1 Detailed Study of Text
25.2 Summary
25.3 Keywords

25.4 Review Questions
25.5 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Explain detailed study of text Lord of the flies chapters one to six

• Discuss summary and analysis of chapters one to six.

Introduction

Lord of the Flies takes place on an island, which Golding never gives an exact location.
Although he does not tell us where the island is, he describes it in detail. He says that it has
a jungle at one end, with a rocky mountain above it. At the opposite side is the lagoon where
the boys go to bathe and where they first met after the crash. Near there, up the mountain,
is a platform where it was decided a fire would stay lit in hope of rescue. This was in the ideal
position, having a view of the ocean, therefore allowing any passing planes or boats to spot
them and rescue them. It was on this mountain that the parachutist was also spotted by the
boys, and mistaken for a beast. Inland, the jungle served many purposes. In the dense jungle,
food was plentiful, and the plants served as a means of escape for Ralph during his run from
Jack. Simon stayed there during his stage of insanity, and the used the plants to build shelter.
The boys plane was shot down during an atomic war. This set the stage for the problems that
would arise on the island among the boys. Their behavior reflects their surroundings, as they
acted just like they were participating in the war. The island is a very isolated place with
absolutely no contact with the outside war. The only way that they could contact an outsider
was by chance, if a plane of boat happened to spot them. These boys from boarding school
were in some respect lucky to land on this island, for it did have its advantages. There was
food, wildlife, and fresh water. It was not their surroundings, but themselves that led to the
downfall of their civilization.

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