Question 1

What is the major theme of this novel? Why is this theme important to a teenager living in 2008?

A theme of a book is a moral lesson that can be learned from the story, and every novel has one, whether valuable or not. At the end of this book ‘The Lord of the Flies’ I discovered that the theme of this book is a conflict between two distinguishable, differentiable thoughts, and opposed behaviors that exist within us, human beings. The opposed thoughts are democracy and dictatorship. In the story, the author, William Golding, expressed the good along with democracy and the evil along with dictatorship. These thoughts were clearly demonstrated throughout the story, through actions taken by the main characters in the story. The democracy was demonstrated by Ralph, who tried to build a civilization until their rescue, whereas Jack illustrated dictatorship by forming a civilization based on the needs, however, later attempted by the dictatorship, he overused his powers and resulted savageness in this civilization. Also, civilization versus savage barbarism is an important part of the theme as well, which also were shown clearly by the two main characters. Furthermore, William Golding illustrated the inner wickedness and desire to obtain supremacy over others within human beings. The conflict between the opposing thoughts and behaviors that simultaneously exist in human beings confuses us and forces us to be careful in our choices. In addition, it is not unnatural to commit sins since we have inborn trait of evilness. Therefore, for teenagers living in 2008, the theme is effectively applicable – to recognize their inherited, inborn evilness and also their morality, thus the sins they would need to recognize and ask for redemption for the sins they commit or committed.