Livaudais 1
Literary Analysis for Lord of the Flies
Topic: Analyze how the author develops the theme of savagery vs. civilization in the novel.
What is his ultimate conclusion?
Brainstorm:
Brainstorming: 2 examples per subtopic
Setting
Develops Theme
Imagery
Characterization
Example in book
Beach
Thesis:
For a literary analysis MUST include author and title of novel.
MUSt include topic and commentary (topic is setting’s effect on story, commentary is how it is
used).
Example: William Shakespeare, in Romeo and Juliet, develops the theme of star-crossed
lovers through his use of irony, characterization, and conflict.
Livaudais 2
Outline Example
I. Introduction
A. Hook
B. Background Information
1. Author and title
2. brief summary
3. when it was written and what was important in that time
C. Thesis Statement
II. Setting
A. Example from book (Like beach)
1. quote
2. explanation of quote
3. second quote
4. explanation of quote
B. 2nd example from book
1. quote
2. explanation of quote
3. second quote
4. explanation of quote
III. Imagery
A. Example from book (Like beach)
1. quote
2. explanation of quote
3. second quote
4. explanation of quote
B. 2nd example from book
1. quote
2. explanation of quote
3. second quote
4. explanation of quote
IV. Characterization
A. Example from book (Like beach)
1. quote
2. explanation of quote
3. second quote
4. explanation of quote
B. 2nd example from book
1. quote
2. explanation of quote
3. second quote
4. explanation of quote
V. Conclusion
A. Repeat thesis
B. Summarize arguments
C. Final thought/Call to action
Livaudais 3
THREE PARTS OF AN INTRODUCTION
1. Hook
A "hook" is usually a question or comment that inspires an emotional response from the reader. It
should be used to get their interest. The quotation - The question - The anecdote
2. Comments, and background
Comments and background give a history or some information regarding the topic.
3. Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is the last sentence in the introduction paragraph and it describes what the
essay is about.
DON’T summarize DON'T keep reiterating your thesis DO ask yourself questions - Why is your thesis relevant? How is its being proven important to the
understanding of either text or fact? By linking your argument to a larger issue, you will give your
argument both universality and interest.
DO be creative
TOPIC SENTENCES:
A Topic Sentence is the first sentence of a body paragraph. It tells the topic of the paragraph and
connects the topic of the paragraph to the thesis – the bigger paper topic and commentary.
Example: William Golding develops the theme of civilization vs. savagery in his novel Lord of the Flies
through the different settings in order to show how the savage world overwhelms human civilization.
Topic Sentences should rename the author and text title.
WHAT TO DO IN A CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH:
Restate the seriousness of a problem
Summarize your thesis or proposed solution
Recap the most important points of the paper
Bring a chronologically organized paper up to the present and suggest future directions
Call for awareness: If writing about new issues, an ending with a call for awareness seems fitting.
Unanswered questions/Implications for further study: What issues can be resolved in this essay, and
what questions remain about the issue?
Rationale: Why is this an important thing to study? (This is mainly for people doing comparison papers.)
Call for action/What you can do: Kind of like a call for awareness, but with specific directions for the
audience on how they can get involved and combat this problem.
What NOT to do in a concluding paragraph:
DO NOT use cliches which sound good but mean nothing
DO NOT introduce new arguments, evidence, or details
DO NOT apologize for doing a poor job of presenting the material
DO NOT qualify or blunt the impact of points made earlier
Livaudais 4
Kimberly Livaudais
English I, Block I
29 April 2011
A Savage World
What does it mean to be civilized? In the twentieth century, man has prided himself on
reaching the pinnacle of civilization, and yet at the same time there has also occurred the most savage
brutality in war that history has documented. This concept is explored in William Golding’s novel Lord of
the Flies. Published in 1954, the novel centers around a group of private school boys who are plane
wrecked on a deserted island with no adult supervision. The lack of authority quickly denigrates any
concept of civilization as the boys struggle to remain productive even while their friends are going wild.
Golding examines the theme of savagery vs. civilization in Lord of the Flies through characterization,
setting, and imagery.
In Lord of the Flies, Golding uses the characterization of the two characters, Roger and Piggy, to
examine the theme of civilization vs. savagery. After being stranded on the island for a few weeks,
Roger is described as “yada” (17). This shows the deterioration of civilization. When Roger “yada” (93),
it shows that he has descended into savagery completely. On the other hand, Piggy is the prime
example of what civilization is supposed to be. He is described as “yada” (24). This shows his value of
learning and civilized behavior. When he says, “yada” (137), it demonstrates civilization. Golding shows
the triumph of savagery when “yada” (245). With Piggy dead, so too, is civilization.
Golding also uses the settings of the beach huts and the forest to further illuminate the theme
of civilization vs. savagery.