Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies is a novel that has captivated schoolchildren ever since it was first published in 1954. A teacher himself, Golding clearly understood what excites and interests children. It is not only a gripping story, with strong, sympathetic characters, but it also raises timeless and profound questions.

Part of its lasting appeal, particularly in schools, surely arises from the way it tackles universal issues.The novel is a catalyst for thought-provoking discussion and analysis, not only concerning the capabilities of humans for good and evil and the fragility of moral inhibition, but beyond. The boys’ struggle to find a way of existing in a community with no fixed boundaries invites readers to evaluate the concepts involved in social and political constructs and moral frameworks. Ideas of community, leadership, and the rule of law are called into question as the reader has to consider who has a right to power, why, and what the consequences of the acquisition of power may be. All of these concerns are current today and can be easily related to the novel through effective teaching and learning.

This new educational edition encourages original and independent thought from students, as well as guiding them through the text. The introductory material includes a biographical section on William Golding as well as providing information about the novel’s historical context, which will be ideal for students completing GCSE and A-Level courses. At the end of the text there are chapter summaries, comprehension questions, discussion points and activities plus a glossary of less familiar words or phrases. This new edition includes William Golding’s essay on Lord of the Flies, ‘Fable’. All of these are intended to inspire and generate creative teaching, learning and love of the novel.

Author Biography

William Golding was born in Cornwall in 1911 and was educated at Marlborough Grammar School and at Brasenose College, Oxford. His first novel, Lord of the Flies, was published in 1954 and was filmed by Peter Brook in 1963. He won the Booker Prize for his novel Rites of Passage in 1980, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983. He was knighted in 1988. He died in 1993.