Golding’s Message and Purpose in 'Lord of the Flies'

This episode explores Golding’s central message that human beings possess an innate capacity for evil and that civilisation is fragile. We examine how the island functions as a “laboratory” to test human nature, tracking the breakdown of order through symbols like the fire and the conch, and the rise of savagery through Jack’s leadership. We analyse the Beast as a representation of internal human darkness, before considering the ending, where Ralph’s “loss of innocence” reveals a deeper realisation about humanity - one that carries a profound emotional and psychological cost.