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Feminist Approach

Lord of the Flies

Meme, Janisha, Parneet, Aidan

Thesis Statement

Introduction

Through a Feminist approach to the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, readers develop a greater understanding of gender and power relations throughout the story. Golding reinforces the traditional stereotypical gender roles, inequality, and masculine power through the lack of feminine figures in the novel.

What is feminism?

Feminism?

Feminism is the belief that women are equal to men, intellectually and socially. The focus is on male and female power.'

In the early 1900's, women's rights were just beginning to take effect, so Golding was living in the period of women's rights movement

Feminine Traits

Masculine Traits

- Strong

- Active

- Self-confident

- Rebellious

- Dependent

- Emotional

- Passive

- Sensitive

- Quiet

- Graceful

- Independent

- Non-emotional

- Aggressive

- Tough-skinned

- Competitive

- Clumsy

- Experienced

feminine vs masculine

- Flirtatious

- Nurturing

- Self-critical

- Soft

- Accepting

- Weak

Important Vocab

Vocab

Effeminate: having or showing characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; unmanly.

Hegemony: leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.

Gender Transgression: describes behaviors that are viewed as contravening gender norms or as “wrong” ways of doing gender.

The gender binary (also known as gender binarism): is the classification of gender into two distinct, opposite forms of masculine and feminine, whether by social system, cultural belief, or both simultaneously.

William Golding

Girls say to me, very reasonably, why isn't it a bunch of girls? Why did you write this about a bunch of boys?"- William Golding

Key

Key Characters

Characters

Piggy

Piggy

-Represents intellect and rationalism

- Senses the seriousness of their life on the island

-Confidence is as resolute as that of an old man

-Shows emotions but not by violence

-Piggy is mentally superior, but he's physically inferior.

- lack of labor intensive capabilities resulting in being categorized as effeminate

-He is loyal, intelligent, and caring.

-Piggy's nickname also symbolically connects him to the only pigs on the island

Value of

the conch

pg. 41 class reading

Conch

Despite the conch representing social order, this quote proves that the person speaking behind it still matters. in this case its Piggy, who now is left with no choice but to make his presence known only by using the conch (even then he isn't respected). If this was Ralph or Jack even without the conch they would be listened to. However, because Piggy is the representation of femininity, and this novel illustrates how the exclusive nature of masculinity leads to the final societal disintegration on the island.

Sacrifice

Specs

Obvious Symbolism

Piggy's glasses are a symbol of perception, and throughout the story they represent the capacity for reason and logic. In this sense, they are symbolic of a society that values knowledge and order. However, the glasses also come to represent vulnerability, as the boy's lose their sanity. Ultimately, the shattering of Piggy's glasses signifies the complete dissolution of civility.

Hidden Message

Piggy's glasses were essentially his sacrifice for the group. With Piggy's physical involvement to the group not being his strong suit what he could provide were his brains (glasses). however, in this case they were stripped from him when Jack snatches the glasses off Piggy's face to create the fire, despite Piggy's protestations, and his dependence upon them. This resulted in Piggy having to sacrifice his eyesight for the betterment of the group. this was the beginning of the recognition piggy gained from the boys and when his intelligence was displayed. Ultimately, his glasses were a sacrifice for his acceptance. Similarly to women, labor intensive jobs are not what they gravitate towards but are forced to sacrifice other aspects of their lives for example, higher paying positions because of children and raising a family. So just like piggy had to make a sacrifice for his acceptance to the group, women have to make sacrifices for to uphold their status in society.

Was Simon's death accidental?

Simon

Simon

Simon helps Ralph with the shelters, and even supports Piggy when the other boys bully him. Simon is the first character to suspect that all is not well on the island and thinks that the nightmares experienced by the younger boys show that it isn't a good place. Typically women have a deeper sense of intuition. Meaning they are more feeling based and nurturing care givers. As well as Simon representing a saint like figure he also demonstrates a motherly presence. Gives support/ provides comfort.

pg.121 class reading

Ralph

Ralph

Represents civilization and democracy:

-Lives by rules

-Acts peacefully

-Follows moral commands

-Values the good of the group

Ralph told Jack that he is doing "more than a hunter's duty" because that he still "can't track the beast," and questioned "doesn't he want to be rescued?"

Jack's aggression proved to be more effective when controlling the boys than Ralph logic and reasoning. With the death of Piggy, Ralph becomes the outcast and is hunted like an animal by Jack’s group. Jack essentially dethroned Ralph, Jack’s overpowering nature illustrates how brutality and savage overpower order and civilization, leads to the disintegration of the society. This can be connected to a grading within families. The power dynamic between a wife and husband typically consists with the man being more dominate and aggressive resulting in having more control and fear based respect/ leadership.

Jack

Jack

-Signifies savagery and dictatorship

-Representation of stereotypical male

-Egoistic boy

-Prime representative of instinct of savagery and violence

-Craves power and likes being the boss

-Very violent and aggressive

-Has a high ego and is rude

Characteristics

Jack Vs. Piggy

Jack- Hyper masculine fits into all male gender stereotypes, Superior, Dominant

Does not think about the main problem that is to beget rescued from the island instead he like hunting to show his power and gain control over boys through his savagery.

Piggy- Effeminate, Knowledgable, Sensible, Inferior, Sissy

He lacks leardership qualities but is a good advisor. It relates to how in some families women can't lead their family members because they do not hold similar power as typical men do but they are to be considered good advisor.

Ralph's Tribe (Feminine)

-More orderly

-Focused on being rescued

-Building shelters

-Has all the littluns

Focused on well being

-Caring

-Expresses feelings

-Exhibit feminine traits

Jack's Tribe (masculine)

-Hunting

-Killing

-Running around

-Selfish

-Fend for yourself

-Savages

-Exhibit masculine traits

Ralph and Jack's Tribe

Key Events:

Key events

- Simon's Death

- Piggy arguing with Jack about his glasses

- Piggy's Death

Simon's Death

Simon's Death

- Simon doesn't exactly fit in to the male gender stereotypes which separates him from the rest of the boys

- Was mistakenly murdered by a group of hyper-masculine & savage boys

- Jack is so focused on hunting and being in charge he doesn't care about simon's death

Simon vs Gender Stereotypes

Simon vs Gender Stereotypes

-Simon:

>Spiritual

>Introverted

>Analytical

>Mental Strength

>Shows Emotion

-Male Stereotypes:

>Strong

>Bold

>Non-Emotional

Piggy vs Jack

“Look, I’m goin’ to say, you’re stronger than I am and you haven’t got asthma. You can see, I’m goin’ to say, and with both eyes. But I don’t ask for my glasses back, not as a favor. I don’t ask you to be a sport, I’ll say, not because you’re strong, but because what’s right’s right. Give me my glasses, I’m going to say—you got to!”

Piggy vs Jack

- Piggy is more effeminate

>Asthma

>Shows emotion

>Caring

-Due to piggy's effeminate personality, he is bullied by members of the group for not being as "Masculine" as them.

-In this scene piggy attempts to reason with jack. Piggy admits he's not as physically strong as jack and then proceeds to demonstrate his intellectual strength. Piggy challenges the gender roles and try's to appeal to jack and make him do the right thing.

Piggy's Death

- Piggy's tragic death was a targeted act of violence towards another group member who doesn't fully fit into male stereotypes

- Piggy is mentally stronger than the rest of the group.

- challenges gender norms

Piggy's death

Simon vs Piggy

Simon vs Piggy

-Common characteristics

>Effeminate

>Intellectual

>Martyrs

-Difference + similarities in their deaths

> Piggy: Intentional

>Simon: "Accidental"

What is the ultimate message of the Lord of the Flies?

The story “Lord of the Flies” is a big hidden message about human nature, the beautiful aspects and the ugly. It is completely blunt about what every person has deep within them. Whether people choose to embrace or reject their flaws is how everyone develops their personal journey, good or bad.

Themes

6 main themes

  • Civilization vs. Savagery.
  • Loss of Innocence.
  • Struggle to Build Civilization.
  • Man's Inherent Evil.
  • Dangers of Mob Mentality.
  • War and the Future of Mankind

Loss of Innocence

The painted savages in Chapter 12 who have hunted, tortured, and killed animals and human beings are a far cry from the guileless children swimming in the lagoon in Chapter 3.

women- childern -innocence

Women are granted a childlike innocence, rendering them more deserving of protection and safety because they do not pose a threat

One

Chapter 4 Painted Faces and Long Hair, (Golding. 66-67)

"Jack planned his new face. He made one cheek and one eye socket white, then rubbed red over the other half of his face and slashed a black bar of charcoal across from right ear to left jaw. He looked in the mere for his reflection, but his breathing troubled the mirror."

  • A symbol of rebellion and masculinity.
  • An indication that Jack goes full on savage.

Why is there a lack of in depth background of the characters? Why does Golding choose

to leave out their histories, religious affiliations, etc.? What effect does it have on the allegorical nature of the novel?

Killing of the pig

Chpt. 8

The conflict between Jack and Ralph deepens when Ralph expresses doubt that even Jack and his hunters could face the beast. Jack angrily leaves the group, taking some of the other boys with him. He and the boys go hunting and brutally kill a pig.

Roger

Roger is one of the more masochistic boys on the island. As time progresses the thin line between savagery and civilization disappears quickly for Roger. Roger loves to inflict pain in a much more brutal way than Jack. The killing of the sow is much more graphic than any other killing of a pig. Golding uses disturbing rape imagery to describe Roger's overpowering and torture of the animal, "He slowly drives his spear into the anus of the sow, torturing it more than killing it" Roger is discovering a twisted ecstasy of torturing for pleasure. He is perhaps the most disturbing boy in the story.

Roger

(wo)mens inherent evil

But Golding does not portray this loss of innocence as something that is done to the children; rather, it results naturally from their increasing openness to the innate evil and savagery that has always existed within them.

Two

Why did Golding exclude women?

  • With female influence, the civilization on the Island may not have fallen as quickly.
  • Women, especially in the 40's when this book was written, were less likely to become "savage"
  • Women also did not have a big role in society throughout the 40's.
  • To avoid unnecessary boy/girl relationships that would distract from the story.

How does Golding view & treat evil in the novel?

William Golding

Girls say to me, very reasonably, why isn't it a bunch of girls? Why did you write this about a bunch of boys?"- William Golding

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