SAMPLE INTRODUCTIONS FOR LORD OF THE FLIES ESSAY
PROMPT:
What/who is the Lord of the flies? How does the name relate to the overall theme of
civilized society vs. barbarism in the novel?
#1. (no hook)
In William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, the effect of isolation on a group of boys who
are stranded on an island after a cataclysmic event is detailed. Golding investigates the idea
of civilization vs. barbarism using various symbols and images, including the Lord of the flies.
Who or what is the Lord of the flies? One character, Jack, the leader a group of choir boys,
through his methods of leading, through his savagery, and through his egocentrism, stands
out as a candidate for the Lord of the flies and effectively illustrates the idea of barbarism.
Opinion: Jack stands out as a candidate for the Lord of the flies and illustrates the idea of
barbarism
Predicitions: 1) through his methods of leading, 2) through his savagery, 3) through his
egocentrism
#2. (hook)
What would happen if boys from a civilized society were suddenly thrown together on an
island with no adults? William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, provides a possible answer.
In the novel, the effect of isolation on a group of boys is detailed by Golding, using a variety
of symbols and images, and the idea of civilization vs. barbarism is investigated. One symbol,
the Lord of the flies, stands out. Who or what is it? The main character, Ralph, whose
constant striving to keep the boys, the “flies,” “civilized” and whose use of democratic
methods of leading and valiant efforts to pursue rescue maintain order in the beginning,
provides a viable candidate for the Lord of the flies.
Opinion: Ralph, whose constant striving to keep the boys, the “flies,” “civilized” provides a
viable candidate for the Lord of the flies
Predictions: 1) whose use of democratic methods of leading, 2) valiant efforts to pursue
rescue