Yet no one can deny that as both an individual and a society, we can learn a lot from Lord of the Flies.
One of the techniques used by Golding is that of characterisation. This talented author presents these fictitious people in such a subtle and yet such an effective way that, without really noticing it, the reader soon knows the boys as well as they know their own associates. .
One of the marvelous and unusual things about the boys in Lord of the Flies is that no matter how good or evil, strange or quiet, brutal or submissive they may be, Golding has created them in such a way that there is something in each that we can relate to. For example when Ralph becomes homesick and is reminiscing about his past we empathise with him because we know we would feel the same way. Just as when Piggy is excluded from the group we understand, because at some point in our lives we have been in that same position and when Jack begins to break away from the group, again we can see in ourselves the same need to be individual and desire to have it our own way. .
It is also important to note that Golding chooses to place children on the island rather than adults who could more easily explain away the evil decisions made. Through the use of children, the reader learns that barbarity and savagery can exist amongst even the smallest and most innocent form of human beings.
So by creating these amazingly realistic child characters Golding is able to go on and set out the story knowing that the reader is involved. Because we can see ourselves in the personalities in the book, we are much more aware of the lessons learnt and much more likely to apply them in our own lives. .
The second, and equally important, technique used by Golding is that of symbolism. Whether this is used intentionally or not, it is a very effective technique. There are countless examples of symbolism throughout the story and the meanings of each depend upon the reader.
