William Golding: Lord Of The Flies

[Lokeo13]

I have to read Lord of the Flies over the summer for my class. I may not be giving it a fair chance, but i cannot get through it. Is it really a good book? I heard it was a classic, but i don't know why.

[oddball]

Hi! Remember me?

'Lord of the Flies' is really gruesome, obscene and absolutely *horrid*. Sort of a perverse Darwinism. I don't know though, maybe you'll like it (boys like that sort of thing, right?)

Tell your teacher you have a weak stomach to get out of reading it; believe me, they'll understand.

Has your school broken-up for the summer hols yet, then? We've still got another 3 weeks to go! Can you spell U-N-F-A-I-R??

[Lokeo13]

ok, i dont think my teacher'll let me get out of that. I don't know why they assigned it, i go to an all girl school. This book doesn't sound like something girls wanna read... yea, were out of school. we've been out for almost a month now. but we go back early august. where are you that you get out in July?

[victory]

I'm a girl and i like the book. give it a chance. it's not so much gross as it is scary. i think that what happens to those boys is basically the same thing that would happen to a group of girls in that situation

[Lokeo13]

well I'm reading it... cause i hafta but... Its not really as bad as i thought. I don't quite get all of it but i like the plot so far.

[oddball]

Most state schools (like the one I go to) in Britain break-up in the 3rd week of July, and go back in the 1st week of September (just like Harry). Public, prep, boarding and single-sex schools (like the one you go to, (sorry about that, Lokeo, it's hard to tell on-line!)) usally have longer school days but longer holidays to match the University terms.
What other books have you had to read for school? Do you have set books to read for most holidays? In my secondry school we've only had one or two books which have been compulsory reading material.

[Natalie]

"Lord of the Flies" is a good book.. it´s scary and gruesome, but it´s well-written I think.. There´s also a movie made of the book.. does anyone of you knows it?

[murphyz]

I enjoyed Lord of the Flies both as the book and the movies (although prefer the updated movie with Balthazar Ghetti to the Black and White one). This movie captures the novel very well in terms of promoting how the children developed into savages, but I don't think it did much justice to the violence or the emotins of the character that were developed in the book.

The chances are you will read it now and not think that much of it, partly because you are reading it for the curriculum and not for pleasure, but do try and re-read later in life as you will no doubt appreciate it more.

Mxx

[Lokeo13]

As i read it more, the plot thickens... It really isn't that bad, I don't even find it too gruesome, yet.

oddball --> over the summer we have to read Lord of the Flies and Nectar in a Seive. During the school year we have to read about 7 more i think. I know that includes Catcher in a Rye.

[xallyx]

I'm reading Lord of the Flies right now for class as well. I'm only on Chapter 4 atm, and it's starting to really bore me. The story line looks like it will pick up though...

[murphyz]

When reading it look out for more than storyline and the look at the fact that it has so many layers to it.

Here is a group of well-to-do high society boys who's lives and order break into chaos at being alone on the island. This is a direct result to of 'the lord of the flies' otherwise known as 'fear' which makes them do silly things. The book shows that those who think they are leaders are actually not as good as they think the are, but those who do not choose to be leaders, but are born to do so, actually do lead successfully but only with the help of others (yes even Piggy who, ironically is almost physically blind yet has the most foresight out of all of them),

And when you're done reading, just think about exactly what the conch represents?

Good luck, and enjoy it.

Mxx

[Halo]

I had to read this in secondary school too. It is a very good book, multi-layered as people have said and a chilling insight into the human psyche and how thin the veneers of "civilisation" are. I can't really say I enjoyed the book, as I found it too upsetting (I'm such a delicate little flower - hang on, I read Stephen King!!)

[AquaBlue]

William Golding presented numerous themes and basic ideas that give the reader something to think about. One of the most basic and obvious themes is that society holds everyone together, and without these conditions, our ideals, values, and the basics of right and wrong are lost. Without society's rigid rules, anarchy and savagery can come to light.

Golding is also showing that morals come directly from our surroundings, and if there is no civilization around us, we will lose these values.

Other secondary themes include the following:

• People will abuse power when it's not earned.
• When given a chance, people often single out another to degrade to improve their own security.
• You can only cover up inner savagery so long before it breaks out, given the right situation.
• It's better to examine the consequences of a decision before you make it than to discover them afterward.
• The fear of the unknown can be a powerful force, which can turn you to either insight or hysteria.

The above comments are from a premier site for Lord of the Flies: Click here to access it. I love the novel and encourage everyone to read it.

[AquaBlue]

-

[Lokeo13]

yea, i finished it and it really was pretty good. There's a lot of symbolism in itso now i get to pick out examples. I've decided the book it self is good. =]