Lord of the Flies: Context (Edexcel GCSE English Literature): Revision Notes

Lord of the Flies was written by William Golding in 1954, in the aftermath of World War II. The novel reflects the brutal realities of human nature and the potential for savagery, which Golding witnessed during the war. This context is crucial as it shapes the novel's exploration of how quickly civilisation can break down and reveal humanity's darker instincts.

The novel is set during a fictional nuclear war, reflecting Cold War anxieties about the potential for global destruction. The boys' descent into chaos on the island mirrors these fears, showing how thin the veneer of civilisation can be. This context highlights the fragility of social order, a key theme in the novel, and emphasises Golding's pessimistic view of human nature.

Golding was influenced by his experiences as a teacher and his reading of adventure stories like The Coral Island, which portrayed an idealised view of boys surviving on a deserted island. Lord of the Flies subverts this genre, showing instead the dark side of human nature. This context is important as it underlines Golding's intent to challenge the romantic notions of childhood innocence and the inherent goodness of humanity.

The novel explores themes of power, authority, and the conflict between civilisation and savagery, often seen as a reflexion of Golding's view of the inherent evil within humanity. The characters represent different aspects of society and human behaviour, from Ralph's order to Jack's descent into savagery. This context helps readers understand the allegorical nature of the novel, where the island becomes a microcosm of the world and the boys' behaviour reflects the broader struggles within society.