In the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding the setting had a very strong influence in the actions and attitudes of the characters. Setting is defined as where the story takes place. In Lord of the Flies, the setting is on a deserted tropical island in the middle of the ocean, where a microcosm can be established. .
Three specific examples of how setting influenced the actions and attitudes of the characters are: The absence of a civilized world, the mysteries of an unfamiliar place, and different types of people being forced to live with one another. .
Being on an island in the middle of the ocean, cut off the lifeline, of a highly civilized society. Due to the age and experience of the boys, ideals of what it takes to be civilized are not developed to that of an adult's. When the boys are put in a world without rules, punishment, and order, it leads to a very progressive downfall of what they have learned to be "civilized". Without boundaries from authority figures, the boys feel as if they can do what ever they want, or as how they put it "to have fun". In the beginning things where fine. An organized society had been formed where Ralph was elected chief, and others where assigned specific duties. However as time goes by, things start to deteriorate, the boys are sick of doing their duties, and compassion and respect for others is lost, all of which make up a civilized society. This is highlighted with the Murder of Piggy and Simon. The anxiety of the hunt over being rescued, and the demotion of Ralph as chief. .
The mysteries of the island also had a huge impact on the actions of the boys. Because The tropical island, and England are two totally different environments there was not much know to the boys about the unfamiliar surrounding possessed by the island. The vines that hung from the trees caused the "littluns" to have nightmares because they reminded them of snakes, or "beasties".
