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