Lord of The Flies Setting: an Analysis of Its Significance

William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, is a captivating exploration of human nature and the inherent darkness that exists within society. The setting of this novel plays a crucial role in shaping the characters and their actions, ultimately revealing the destructive nature of humanity. Through the vivid portrayal of a deserted island, Golding effectively conveys the themes of isolation, savagery, and the loss of civilization. This essay will analyze the significance of the setting in Lord of the Flies and its impact on the characters' behavior, highlighting the profound message that Golding conveys.

The Isolation of the Island: A Catalyst for Savagery

The uninhabited island serves as the perfect backdrop for the events that unfold in the novel. The boys find themselves isolated from the rest of civilization, devoid of any adult supervision or societal norms. This isolation gradually erodes their sense of morality and unleashes their primal instincts. The setting of the island, with its dense foliage, treacherous terrain, and vastness, envelops the boys in a world of their own creation, disconnected from the rules and structures of society. The absence of authority figures and the freedom that the island provides act as catalysts, driving the boys towards savagery.

The setting is described as an "endless sea" with "the specks of coral" and "the glittering lagoon," emphasizing its beauty and allure (Golding 10). However, this picturesque landscape soon turns into a nightmare as the boys descend into chaos and violence. The setting of the island, with its deceptive beauty and untamed wilderness, becomes a reflection of the boys' deteriorating moral compass. The boys' initial excitement and awe at their newfound freedom quickly gives way to fear and anarchy, as the isolation of the island accentuates their savage nature.

As the boys become more detached from civilization, their behavior becomes increasingly violent and brutal. The setting of the island, with its dense jungle and hidden caves, provides a sense of secrecy and darkness that encourages their descent into savagery. The boys' actions, such as hunting and killing pigs, symbolize their growing detachment from societal norms and their regression into a primitive state. The setting of the island thus acts as a catalyst for the boys' transition from innocent children to bloodthirsty savages, highlighting the destructive power of isolation.

The Loss of Civilization: The Setting as a Reflection of Moral Decay

As the boys' time on the island progresses, their connection to civilization and its values gradually erodes. The setting of the island mirrors this loss of civilization, with its decaying remnants of an airplane crash and the gradual destruction of their makeshift society. The boys' failure to maintain the signal fire, a symbol of their hope for rescue and connection to the civilized world, underscores their abandonment of societal norms.

The setting of the island, with its ever-present reminder of the outside world in the form of the wreckage, serves as a constant reminder of the boys' lost connection to civilization. The boys' inability to effectively use the resources available to them, such as the conch shell, to establish a stable society further highlights their descent into moral decay. The setting of the island, through its depiction of the boys' struggle to maintain order and their eventual descent into chaos, serves as a powerful metaphor for the fragility of civilization and the ease with which it can be lost.

The setting also plays a crucial role in the development of the character of Jack, the leader of the savage tribe. The dense jungle and hidden caves of the island provide Jack with the perfect environment to establish his reign of terror. His detachment from civilization is further emphasized by the setting, as he becomes increasingly entangled in the darkness and savagery that the island represents. The setting of the island thus acts as a reflection of Jack's moral decay, highlighting the destructive power of the loss of civilization.

Conclusion

The setting of the deserted island in Lord of the Flies serves as a powerful backdrop for the exploration of human nature and the destructive forces that lie within society. The isolation of the island acts as a catalyst for the boys' descent into savagery, as they become detached from societal norms and succumb to their primal instincts. The loss of civilization is vividly depicted through the setting, as the boys' connection to the outside world crumbles and moral decay sets in. Through the skillful portrayal of the setting, Golding effectively conveys the profound message that humanity, when isolated from the constraints of society, is capable of unleashing its darkest impulses.

In conclusion, the setting of Lord of the Flies plays a pivotal role in shaping the themes and characters of the novel. The island's isolation highlights the boys' descent into savagery, while the loss of civilization is mirrored in the setting's decay and destruction. Golding's masterful use of setting effectively conveys the profound message of the novel, leaving readers with a haunting reflection on the inherent darkness that resides within humanity.

Bibliography

Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Penguin Books, 1954.