Lord of the Flies – William Golding
1
,Inhoud
Characters.............................................................................................................. 3
Lord of the Flies...................................................................................................... 5
Full book summary............................................................................................... 17
2
, Characters
Ralph
The novel’s protagonist, the twelve-year-old English boy who is elected leader of
the group of boys marooned on the island. Ralph attempts to coordinate the
boys’ efforts to build a miniature civilization on the island until they can be
rescued. Ralph represents human beings’ civilizing instinct, as opposed to the
savage instinct that Jack embodies.
Jack
The novel’s antagonist, one of the older boys stranded on the island. Jack
becomes the leader of the hunters but longs for total power and becomes
increasingly wild, barbaric, and cruel as the novel progresses. Jack, adept at
manipulating the other boys, represents the instinct of savagery within human
beings, as opposed to the civilizing instinct Ralph represents.
Simon
A shy, sensitive boy in the group. Simon, in some ways the only naturally “good”
character on the island, behaves kindly toward the younger boys and is willing to
work for the good of their community. Moreover, because his motivation is rooted
in his deep feeling of connectedness to nature, Simon is the only character whose
sense of morality does not seem to have been imposed by society. Simon
represents a kind of natural goodness, as opposed to the unbridled evil of Jack
and the imposed morality of civilization represented by Ralph and Piggy.
Piggy
Ralph’s “lieutenant.” A whiny, intellectual boy, Piggy’s inventiveness frequently
leads to innovation, such as the makeshift sundial that the boys use to tell
time. Piggy represents the scientific, rational side of civilization.
Roger
Jack’s “lieutenant.” A sadistic, cruel older boy who brutalizes the littluns and
eventually murders Piggy by rolling a boulder onto him.
Sam and Eric
A pair of twins closely allied with Ralph. Sam and Eric are always together, and
the other boys often treat them as a single entity, calling them “Samneric.” The
easily excitable Sam and Eric are part of the group known as the “bigguns.” At
the end of the novel, they fall victim to Jack’s manipulation and coercion.
The Lord of the Flies
The name given to the sow’s head that Jack’s gang impales on a stake and erects
in the forest as an offering to the “beast.” The Lord of the Flies comes to
symbolize the primordial instincts of power and cruelty that take control of Jack’s
tribe.
The Naval Officer
3
1
,Inhoud
Characters.............................................................................................................. 3
Lord of the Flies...................................................................................................... 5
Full book summary............................................................................................... 17
2
, Characters
Ralph
The novel’s protagonist, the twelve-year-old English boy who is elected leader of
the group of boys marooned on the island. Ralph attempts to coordinate the
boys’ efforts to build a miniature civilization on the island until they can be
rescued. Ralph represents human beings’ civilizing instinct, as opposed to the
savage instinct that Jack embodies.
Jack
The novel’s antagonist, one of the older boys stranded on the island. Jack
becomes the leader of the hunters but longs for total power and becomes
increasingly wild, barbaric, and cruel as the novel progresses. Jack, adept at
manipulating the other boys, represents the instinct of savagery within human
beings, as opposed to the civilizing instinct Ralph represents.
Simon
A shy, sensitive boy in the group. Simon, in some ways the only naturally “good”
character on the island, behaves kindly toward the younger boys and is willing to
work for the good of their community. Moreover, because his motivation is rooted
in his deep feeling of connectedness to nature, Simon is the only character whose
sense of morality does not seem to have been imposed by society. Simon
represents a kind of natural goodness, as opposed to the unbridled evil of Jack
and the imposed morality of civilization represented by Ralph and Piggy.
Piggy
Ralph’s “lieutenant.” A whiny, intellectual boy, Piggy’s inventiveness frequently
leads to innovation, such as the makeshift sundial that the boys use to tell
time. Piggy represents the scientific, rational side of civilization.
Roger
Jack’s “lieutenant.” A sadistic, cruel older boy who brutalizes the littluns and
eventually murders Piggy by rolling a boulder onto him.
Sam and Eric
A pair of twins closely allied with Ralph. Sam and Eric are always together, and
the other boys often treat them as a single entity, calling them “Samneric.” The
easily excitable Sam and Eric are part of the group known as the “bigguns.” At
the end of the novel, they fall victim to Jack’s manipulation and coercion.
The Lord of the Flies
The name given to the sow’s head that Jack’s gang impales on a stake and erects
in the forest as an offering to the “beast.” The Lord of the Flies comes to
symbolize the primordial instincts of power and cruelty that take control of Jack’s
tribe.
The Naval Officer
3
