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Historical impact on william golding in lord of the flies

Dec 24, 2023

Historical impact on william golding in lord of the flies

Here is your solution: #(a)#

William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" is a novel that was heavily influenced by the historical context of its time, particularly the aftermath of World War II. Golding, who served in the Royal Navy during the war, was deeply affected by the atrocities and the nature of human evil he witnessed. The novel, published in 1954, reflects the pessimism and disillusionment that were prevalent in the post-war period. The story's exploration of the dark side of human nature and the breakdown of civilization can be seen as a commentary on the potential for savagery within humanity, a theme that resonated with a world still reeling from the horrors of the Holocaust and the atomic bombings.

#(b)#

The novel also engages with the Cold War anxieties of the time, as the fear of nuclear annihilation and the struggle between opposing ideologies were at the forefront of public consciousness. The island in "Lord of the Flies" can be interpreted as a microcosm of the world, where the boys' descent into violence and chaos mirrors the global tensions and the threat of mutual destruction that characterized the Cold War era. Additionally, the book challenges the notion of innate human civility and questions the effectiveness of traditional British values and the concept of the "civilizing mission" in the face of inherent human instincts.

Answer

The historical impact of William Golding in "Lord of the Flies" is significant as it provides a literary reflection of the disillusionment and existential questions that arose from the experiences of World War II and the early Cold War period. The novel's themes of inherent human evil, the fragility of civilization, and the critique of Western moral values are deeply intertwined with the historical context of the mid-20th century.

Key Concept

Historical Context of Literature

Explanation

"Lord of the Flies" is an example of how historical events, such as World War II and the Cold War, can profoundly influence literature, shaping its themes and the concerns it addresses.