The novel "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is set on a deserted island, the location of which is never named. The story centers around a group of boys whose plane crashed on the island, and whose pilot was killed. The story also focuses on the things that happen on the island, and the things that happen because of it. The setting of the story influences its plot in many ways. Because the book is set on an unknown island with no adults, many problems arise for the characters. The young boys, left to fend for themselves, end up in danger and conflict, mainly because of the island. In the novel "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, the setting influences the characters actions, conflicts, and emotions.
Mainly, the setting in the story influences the characters actions. The story follows Ralph, a teenage boy, who, when first arrives at the island and realizes there are no adults around, decides to immediately take action. He finds another boy who was on his plane, Piggy, and they try to organize a meeting with the other boys. He finds a conch shell on the ground, and resourcefully uses it to call to the other boys on the island. When everyone has gathered, he starts talking about what they are going to do. “Ralph smiled and held up the conch for silence. ‘Listen everybody. I’ve got to have time to think things out. I can’t decide what to do straight off. If this isn’t an island we might be rescued straight away. Everybody must stay round here and wait and not go away. Three of us will go on an expedition and find out.’ “ The island is causing the boys to take action in finding out if they will be rescued soon or not. It also makes them take authority and listen to each other because there are no adults around to take care of them.
The island also creates conflicts between characters. Another main character in the story, Jack, leads a group of “hunters,” who were originally a group of boys. Jack wants to take the group of boys hunting for pigs, who inhabit the island. While Jack thinks getting meat is the most important thing, Ralph disagrees and insists on keeping a fire going to send off smoke signals to ships, in order to get rescued. Conflicts arise between them, and sides are taken. “‘Hunting,’ said Jack. ‘And the next thing is that Ralph said my hunters are no good.’ ‘I never said that!’ ‘I’ve got the conch. He’s like Piggy. He says things like Piggy. He’s not a proper chief.’ Jack clutched the conch to him. ‘He’s a coward himself.’ “ Because of the island, the boys now have a conflict of interest. Some think the more important thing is food, and the others think its rescue. This leads them to become divided and pick sides.
William Golding’s "Lord of the Flies" tells the story of a group of young boys stranded on a deserted island. As they spend more time on the island, the island and the things that happen on it cause them to get into conflicts and do things they wouldn't have done before. It makes the boys feel strong emotions, and causes them to take strong actions. Overall, the setting of "Lord of the Flies" changes the characters conflicts, actions, and emotions in many ways.
