Monday, December 14, 2015

How is "Lord of the Flies" considered a realistic or naturalistic novel? Please use specific examples.

Naturalistic writers believe that man is often controlled by forces he cannot control. This is very evident in the novel. First, the boys are forced by a world war to board a plane which is supposed to evacuate them from danger. They had no control over the beginnings of the war and they have no control over the plane, which crashes on a tropical island. After that, the naturalistic elements are represented by the "beast" and the boys' inability to control the natural "beast" which is in them. They try to set up a civilized government with Ralph as the chief. But, little by little, the enticements for evil are too difficult to ignore. After they kill a pig and get a taste for blood, their civilized society begins to break down. The "Lord of the Flies" has the answer to their problem. As he tells Simon, " I am in you." That is why the boys cannot control their own behavior. This leads eventually to murder and almost to the total destruction of the island itself. If the British navy had not been close ( another element they cannot control) and seen the smoke from the fire that is about to destroy them, they would not have been rescued in time to save their lives. But, ironically, the naturalistic elements continue because the boys will be forced off the island and returned to a war over which they have never had any control.

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