Utopian/ Dystopian literature is a rapidly growing sub-genre of popular fiction. Authors often use utopias to convey a message about the world we live in today.
Dystopias are extremely flawed societies. In this genre, unlike other literature genres, the setting is often a fallen society, usually occurring after a large scale war, or other horrific event, that caused chaos in the former world. In many stories this chaos gives rise to a totalitarian government that assumes absolute control. The flaws in this sort of a dystopia are center around oppression and restrictions on freedom by central authorities. Lord of the Flies has some of these characteristics, but the frightening aspects are as much in breakdown of society, as the overwhelming power of a central authority.
For more information and elements of this genre see our article: “Teaching Dystopia”.
Initially, the conch was used to keep order, maintain outbursts at meetings, and allow every person a chance to speak. As Jack becomes more powerful, he uses it to silence others and amplify his thoughts and ideas.
In the story, Ralph was initially elected to be the leader. However, from the beginning it was Jack who truly had control through his dictatorial use of fear. He allowed Ralph to assume some power because the younger boys listened to him. However, by the end, Jack corrupted all the boys.
Jack is ruthless with anyone who disagrees with him. He punishes disobedience harshly, and even tortures two young boys until they submit to his authority. This brutality is what allows Roger to kill Piggy.
As Jack claimed more control, he would celebrate the coerced boys who joined the warrior camp by painting their faces like savages, just like his!
In the beginning of the novel, Piggy and Ralph swim in a crystal blue lagoon, which appears to be an archetypal garden of Eden. There are no adults, no rules, a seemingly perfect place for young boys. As the story progresses, the beauty of the island is overshadowed by evil and chaos that overcomes the boys and order is lost permanently.
Jack rules with fear. The idea that the boys believe that they are being stalked by an island monster helps him maintain this control. Their fear causes more chaos as Jack vows to kill the beast, a tactic that he uses gain more power by providing protection.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the six elements of a dystopia in Lord of the Flies.
Begin by explaining the concept of dystopia to students. Assess their prior knowledge and build the lecture based on that information. Engage the students using interesting vocabulary and grab their interest by mentioning some popular dystopian books and movies.
Teachers can arrange a movie session where students can pick one dystopian movie that they will view and analyze in the class. Since dystopian and utopian worlds are usually fictional, students can use their imagination and present creative analyses.
Discuss each element through which dystopian worlds are indicated in detail. Students can first discuss the elements can watch the movie later on for a better and more comprehensive side by side analysis. Encourage students to take notes while watching the movie and match events with elements for discussion later on.
Relate aspects of the dystopian society to current affairs or past instances of repressive governments. This enables students to see the value and significance of comprehending dystopian concepts. They can also analyze the objectives and moral lessons behind studying dystopian fiction.
Ask the students to write a fictional story incorporating the elements of a dystopian world. If students can use these elements to write an effective story, it would improve their application and creative writing skills. Teachers can also turn it into a small competition and give some incentive to the students with the best story and incorporation of elements.
Through the progressive breakdown of law and order, the advent of brutality and violence, and the loss of civilization among a group of boys who are abandoned on a deserted island, "Lord of the Flies" depicts a dystopian society. The boys who have to fend for themselves without any rules are subjected to this world to survive.
The absence of adult control, the boys' plunge into barbarism, the predominance of fear and violence, the fight for power and law, and the disintegration of societal order and morality are only a few of the particular dystopian characteristics in "Lord of the Flies" that make it a dystopia. Students can analyze the interesting analogy of “Survival of the Fittest” in the context of dystopian worlds.