Significance of Coral Island in “Lord of the Flies.” 

Answer

Explain the significance of Coral Island in “Lord of the Flies.” 

In “Lord of the Flies,” (1954), William Golding (1911-1993) provides an examination of evil human nature. Golding uses Coral Island in his novel as his setting, where some British schoolboys are stranded after their plane is shot down during an unspecified nuclear war. The boys primarily try to establish order and plan for rescue. However, soon, they forget their rescue plan, spread rumors of a vicious beast, and hunt and kill a few of them.

Background on “Coral Island”: “The Coral Island” (1857) is a novel by R.M. Ballantyne (1825-1894). It is an adventure story about three boys: Ralph, Jack, and Peterkin. They left on a tropical island. In “Coral Island,” the boys face many challenges but stay civilized and work together to overcome difficulties. They fight pirates and hostile natives but remain friends and keep their morals intact. Golding’s setting, Coral Island, is not merely a setting for the story. The coral island has satirical significance.

Golding’s Purpose to Satire: Golding directly references “The Coral Island” in the opening pages of “Lord of the Flies” when Ralph mentions it. Golding uses the same character names from Ballantyne’s novel – Ralph and Jack. 

It seems Golding’s story would be one of fun-loving adventures. However, soon, it takes a darker turn. The “Lord of the Flies” provides a harsh satire on the adventure genre, where young boys are shipwrecked into exotic locations. In these stories, the protagonists master nature; they remain fun-loving and angelic. In contrast, Golding’s schoolboys in the “Lord of the Flies” descend into savagery, hunting and killing themselves. He satirizes morality, civility, and long-held beliefs about humanity.

Innocence vs. Corruption: Ballantyne’s characters maintain their innocence and moral values throughout their adventures. In contrast, Golding’s characters lose their innocence. They are afraid of an imaginary “beastie” lurking in the woods. However, the novel suggests the real beast is among the boys. The beast is their bloodlust, tendency for violence, and evil instincts. As the Lord of the Flies (severed pig’s head) reveals to Simon in Chapter 8,

I’m the Beast … You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you?

Darkness of Human Nature: As the boys fight their own battle on the island, the far more destructive war that brought them there continues off the page. The novel asks the unsettling question: even if the boys were to be rescued from themselves, what kind of world would they return to? Golding’s satire points to the fragility of civilization. In chapter 9, Ralph utters:

We did everything adults would do. What went wrong?

This quote raises profound questions regarding the innate darkness within human nature. It highlights the unsettling realization that even in the absence of external authority, the boys’ actions mirror those of adults, who are supposed to possess wisdom and maturity. It suggests the adults’ world is no different from the island – full of chaos, lust for power, killing, war, and barbarism.

Idealism vs. Realism: “The Coral Island” depicts a utopian adventure where the boys overcome difficulties through their civilized values and moral integrity. In stark contrast, “Lord of the Flies” presents a dystopian scenario where the boys descend into savagery and moral disintegration. Piggy utters,

What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? 

Colonial Undertones: “The Coral Island” embodies colonial attitudes. The novel’s protagonists civilize the savage inhabitants of the island with British values and morality. Golding’s narrative undermines this colonial mindset. Jack says-

We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything.

He portrays the boys’ failed attempt to create order and their ultimate descent into barbarism. 

Hence, through the reference to “The Coral Island,” Golding engages in a deeper critique of the assumptions about human nature. This direct link with Ballantyne’s novel helps Golding focus on his darker themes.