Golding's Thoughts and Yours

Years later in an interview tiha reporter from the New York World-Telegram and Sun (1963), Golding insisted that the novel’s primary purpose is to serve as a warning of man’s potential for brutality to his fellow man. He said, “I learned during World War II just how brutal people can be to each other. Not just Germans or Japanese, but everyone. I tried to point that out…Some have said that the brutality of the novel is impossible. It’s not. Look at any newspaper.”

What do you think? Do you agree with Golding's theme? Offer evidence one way or another.

If you're stuck #2....

...get your brain going! Here are some discussion prompts you could use for your posting if you don't have another idea. It could make for some good discussion.

Golding has referred to himself as a pessimist intellectually and emotionally an optimist. Discuss _Lord of the Flies_ in light of this.

If you're stuck #1....

...get your brain going! Here are some discussion prompts you could use for your posting if you don't have another idea. It could make for some good discussion.

1. The conclusion of the _Lord of the Flies_ has been criticized on the grounds that Golding sacrificed artistic excellence for the sake of a "happy ending." What do you think?