The Age Level in "Lord of The Flies"

Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, is a novel that dives into the darker sides of human nature by telling the tale of boys stranded on a deserted island. It makes you wonder, what age is right for folks to read it? This essay argues that while it's often taught in high schools because it’s got some serious literary chops, we should really think about how old someone should be before tackling its mature themes and kinda disturbing stuff. Not every young reader might handle it well.

'The Age Level in "Lord of The Flies"'

When we're talking about how old someone should be to read Lord of the Flies, one thing we gotta consider is all the violence. The story's packed with scenes where boys hunt and kill animals and even turn on each other. It's pretty graphic, ya know? Younger readers might find this upsetting, maybe even affecting their emotional health. According to the National Council of Teachers of English, this kind of violence isn't really okay for middle schoolers. It's just too intense and raw for them.

Then there are those heavy themes in the book. Stuff like power struggles, corruption, and losing innocence pop up a lot. These aren't easy things to chew on; they need some maturity and critical thinking. That's why the American Library Association thinks high schoolers are more suited for this book. They’re better equipped to dig into these ethical and philosophical questions Golding throws at us.

You also gotta look at the language used in Lord of the Flies. There's some strong language and slurs that might not sit well with younger readers. The American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee says we should look at such language within the context of the story but parents and teachers still gotta be mindful of how it could affect young folks.

Despite all this, high schools keep teaching Lord of the Flies. It’s a classic for a reason—it offers deep insights into what makes us tick as humans and gets people thinking critically. Still, it's super important for educators and parents to think about how mature their students or kids are before getting them into this tough book.

Conclusion

So, when it comes down to it, figuring out how old someone should be to read Lord of the Flies is key because there's lotsa mature content—violence and rough language included. While it’s definitely valuable literature and sparks good chats, it’s not fit for all young folks. Educators and parents need to judge if their students or kids can handle the complex themes and intense imagery before handing them this book. By doing so, they can make sure reading it helps rather than harms their growth both intellectually and emotionally.

Bibliography

• Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. Faber & Faber.
• The American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom. (n.d.). "Challenged Books." Retrieved from ALA.org
• The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). (n.d.). "Position Statements." Retrieved from NCTE.org
• SparkNotes Editors. (2023). "SparkNote on Lord of the Flies." SparkNotes.com.
• Baker, J.R., & Allen, A.W. (2005). "William Golding: A Critical Study." London: Faber & Faber.