The Lord of the Flies

Allusion
Significance of Titles & Character Names

An allusion is a reference to a person (famous historical or literary figure), place, poem,

book, event, work of art or movie outside of the story that the author expects the
reader will recognize. The reference can be real or fictitious.

An allusion may be drawn from history, geography, literature, or religion.

Often, the purpose of an allusion is to summarize broad, complex ideas or emotions in one
quick, powerful image.

A biblical allusion is a reference to the Bible in a literary work.

The title of a novel is frequently an allusion. Understanding the context of the allusion can tell the
reader much about the thematic thrust of the book. For example, the title of William Faulkner’s
novel, The Sound and the Fury, is an allusion to the following lines in Macbeth:

[Life] is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Knowing this context, what might a theme of Faulkner’s novel be?

Theme: Life is full of nonsense and drama that means nothing.

On page 143, Simon has a conversation with the pig’s head, called by Golding “The Lord of the
Flies,” which says to Simon:

“Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!” said the head.
For a moment or two the forest and all the other dimly appreciated places echoed
with the parody of laughter. “You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close,
close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?”

The phrase, “The Lord of the Flies,” is a loose English translation of the word “Beelzebub” which is
another name for Satan or the devil. Therefore, the title is a biblical allusion referring to Satan.
Knowing this context, what would you suppose another theme of Golding’s novel might be?

Innate/Inherent/Inborn: Evil exists in everyone.

Many authors use biblical allusions to further develop their ideas. Golding’s setting alludes to the
biblical story of the Garden of Eden. Examining the biblical allusions in Lord of the Flies can help
readers understand Golding’s themes.
 IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN
The setting is a lush, beautiful
garden paradise with orchards.
A serpent is the connection to evil by
tempting Eve to sin.
Adam and Eve are forbidden to eat an
apple.
Eating from the Tree of Knowledge
caused the Fall of Man. After Adam
and Eve’s disobedience, all
generations of mankind will forever be
carrying the Original Sin, and will
always have good and evil within them.
IN LORD OF THE FLIES
The setting is a lush, beautiful
island with flowers and trees.
The creepers are described as snake-
like; the beastie is described as a
snake.
The boys live on fruit.
The plane has ripped a scar into the
jungle forever ruining the beauty and
purity of the island. The scar
represents a loss of purity; goodness.
*A plane is modern technology created
by humans; they are destructive.

Significance of Simon’s Name:

 Disciple Peter's name, in the Bible, was Simon.
 In Luke 23:26, we learn that in the story of the crucifixion, a man named Simon carries the
cross.
 Luke 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming
out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

Many Readers see Simon as a Christ figure. The chart below lists several points of comparison
between Jesus and Simon. Provide evidence from the text to support the comparison.

Point of Comparison Jesus Simon

They both prophesize.
Jesus on several
occasions in the Bible
predicts his own death.
Prophetic (Predictive)/
Insightful:
“Maybe it’s just us”
(89). (Concerning the
Beastie)
“You’ll get back to
where you came from”
(111). (Concerning
Ralph’s lack of hope
that he will ever return
home. He has an innate
(inborn; natural)
spiritual human
goodness. Specifically,
he is kind to the
littleuns.

They both feed people.
Both withdraw themselves
from society.
Jesus feeds his
followers with bread and
fish.
According to the Bible,
Jesus "withdrew himself
into the wilderness, and
"Simon, sitting between
the twins and Piggy,
wiped his mouth and
shoved his piece of meat
over the rocks to Piggy,
who grabbed it."
(74) This quote shows
that Simon feels bad for
Piggy because Jack had
not given him any meat.
He also helps the
littluns pick fruit
(56).
Recluse: "Simon turned
away from the open space
and crawled through the
 prayed" (Luke 5:16). creepers till he was in
the dusk of the forest.
He walked dearily
between the trunks, his
face empty of
expression, and the
blood was dry around his
mouth and chin." (Bottom
145) Simon is always
wandering by himself and
prefers to be alone
showing he is a recluse.

They both fast. According to the Bible, He gave up his meat for
Jesus went forty days Piggy.
and nights without food:
"Then was Jesus led up
of the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted
of the devil. And when
he had fasted forty days
and forty nights, he was
afterward and hungered"
(Matthew 4: 1-2).

Consider the biblical allusions above. What might another theme of Golding’s novel might be?

Theme: In an environment/climate of fear, innocence becomes victim.