William Golding’s classic novel, “Lord of the Flies,” has been a staple of high school English classes for generations. But why is it called Lord of the Flies? The answer to this question lies with the severed pig’s head from Chapter 8. Because the severed pig’s head is covered with flies, Simon calls it “Lord of the Flies. Calling the book “Lord of the Flies” emphasizes the boys’ primitive violence. This article will explore the significance of the title and how it relates to the themes and events in the novel.
Why is it called Lord of the Flies? (Complete Answer)
William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” is a classic novel that has been widely read and discussed by students and scholars alike. The story follows a group of young boys who are stranded on a deserted island and must learn to survive on their own. As they struggle to find food, water, and shelter, the boys’ behavior becomes increasingly savage and violent. But why is the book called “Lord of the Flies”?
The answer lies in a pivotal moment in Chapter 8, when Simon, one of the boys, has a hallucination in which he speaks with the severed head of a pig that the boys had killed for food. The pig’s head is covered in flies, so Simon calls it the “Lord of the Flies.” This name directly references the biblical character Beelzebub, which means “lord of the flies” in Hebrew. Beelzebub was a Philistine god often associated with demons and evil spirits. His name became synonymous with Satan in the Christian tradition.
By naming the pig’s head the “Lord of the Flies,” Golding connects the boys’ savage behavior and the demonic forces that Beelzebub represents. The pig’s head symbolizes the boys’ descent into primitive violence and their loss of morality and humanity. As the boys become increasingly obsessed with hunting and killing, they lose sight of their own humanity and become like the pigs they are hunting.
Furthermore, the title “Lord of the Flies” brings the boys’ primitive violence front and center. It highlights the brutal and savage nature of human beings while suggesting that we are all capable of succumbing to our base instincts and desires. The title warns against the dangers of unchecked power and the potential for violence and chaos when people are left to their own devices.
What was Lord of the Flies originally called?
Lord of the Flies was originally called “Strangers From Within” in William Golding’s original submission letter.
Who is the Lord of the Flies literally?
In the book Lord of the Flies, the Lord of the Flies is literally a pig’s head that has been mounted on a spear by Jack and his tribe. Symbolically, the Lord of the Flies represents the evil that resides within all human beings and serves as a manifestation of the boys’ descent into savagery. In fact, the name “Lord of the Flies” is a literal translation of the biblical name Beelzebub, a powerful demon in hell sometimes thought to be the devil himself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Lord of the Flies” is a powerful and fitting title for Golding’s novel. It captures the essence of the boys’ descent into savagery and the dangers of unchecked power and violence. The pig’s head becomes a potent symbol of the boys’ loss of humanity. The title serves as a stark reminder of the potential for evil within us all.