Setting for Lord of the Flies

Dylan Massey

6th Period

The setting in Lord of the Flies is a key factor to what happens throughout the rest of the book.  “The white surf flinked on a coral reef, and beyond that the open sea was dark blue. Within the irregular arc of the lagoon was still as a mountain lake.”  Page 14.  This quote already sets you up with a weird feeling towards this random island in the Pacific.  There is this reef that creates an arc where the water is still, this seems like a red flag already to me.  However, Golding picks this island for a reason to show how man’s savage inner being lurks not far beneath the surface.  This island will try to bring out the worst in people, and try to divide the civil society the boys try to create.  

I would say the setting is also a factor that increases the tension between the boys.  Everybody is perfectly fine with the environment they’re in, but after a while they start to get used to and kind of annoyed by it.  They’re tired of the hot sun beating down on them, they’re tired of the dark nights that bring frights to the younger kids.  All of this plus add on some other little annoying things from the other kids on the island, can set someone off to cause division in the society and group.  All in all, the setting is a curse to the boys on the island and their ongoing struggles to create a civil society.