Introduction:
William Golding was the son of a distinguished school master. He had become a school master himself and wrote deeply imaginative fables of human of condition of our times. This novel reveals Golding's philosophy that good and bad can exist side by side in the darkness of a man's heart. So, the world should restore principles in an unprincipled world.
Teaching Profession gave him Knowledge of Human Psychology:
Golding was a school master by profession. After his academic studies, he had been teaching for several years before he gave up teaching in 1962 and devoted full time to writing. These long years of contact with school children gave him a deep knowledge of boyish psychology. So in the novel, ‘The Lord of the Flies’ he dealt with a group of British children . They are cut off from the civilized world and fall into barbarism. They should have hold up human values and behaved better and hold up their traditions. Because there are no grown-ups to guide and control them in a disciplined life, they are free to manage things in the boyish way. At first they are happy because they are free and get freedom in their own way. But soon they are led astray. They develop enmity and are twined savage und Jack. Golding brings out that young minds can be easily influenced by external factors of the surroundings. So, they are easily enticed and altered by the meat of Jack. They desert Ralph who ensured them an ordered, peaceful life for them.
Psychology of different Types of Boys:
We get a selected group of boys in the novel. They are types as well as individuals. They not only represent a class but also their own individual habits. We get a glimpse of characteristics of boys in this novel. They are as follows: Ralph is the common ideal of a British boy. He is fair haired, courageous and lovable boy. He is agile, tall and athletic in body shape. He is fit to be a leader. So, he is elected leader and chief unanimously by voting. So, he is rewarded by his qualities by his final rescue.
Jack is on the other hand, is counterpart of Ralph. He is the common bully in any school. He is jealous, savage and does not obey rules. He exploits the fear among the boys for his own advantage. His face is crumpled and freckled and ugly. He is quick to anger, proud and aggressive.
Piggy, too, is a typical boy found among any group of the boys. He is a ‘begun’ but physically incapable and emotionally immature. He is fat. He becomes the butt of - ridicule. But he is an intelligent boy who has the power to think. He alone is able to think clearly and find solutions to their problems. He stands for the observance of rules and regulations. Simon is helpful but individualist. He is a dreamer. He has the power of intuition. He is a rationalist. So, he does not believe in the existence of beast. He is fearless who alone finds out the truth that it was the body a dead pilot. It was not the beast.
Sam and Eric and the Twins: They are also typical. They talk, act and smile alike. One can be distinguished from the other. They are called Samneric. Their hands are round so they are bullets. But they lack sense they lack maturity.
We have the group of ‘Littluns’. They are the boys who have no special characteristics. They live their own live. So, they are always away from the bigger boys. In this way, we have whole gallery of all types of boys. The author handles each type convincingly.
Situation, Problem and their Rescue:
The passenger tube crash-lands on an unknown land. The group of the boys has been evacuated (carried out) by an aeroplane to an unknown destination. They are cut off from the world of grown-ups. The strange situation is accepted differently by the first two boys Ralph and Jack. They are introduced first of all Piggy is frightened at the prospect of a life without elders. But Ralph is delighted because he gets freedom to get his ambition fulfilled. So, we get a correct estimate of boyish behaviour in such a situation. They are happy because they are out of the sight of their parents. The boys here organize themselves under a chief with certain rules and regulations. They discuss the matter and decide things themselves. It reminds us the life of a public school. But soon problems crop up. No one likes to keep their rules. They prefer game and hunting. They forget their serious duty. They go for hunt and neglect the fire - burning. They paint their faces like savages. They neglect building of shelters. So, they forget their values. They will run after fun and joy.
Appearance of the Beast and the Fear:
Then there is the appearance of beast. It creates fear among the boys. They begin to dream of monsters. They are frightened when they hear such stories. They blindly believe reports. They do not care to investigate the mysterious savage. At first it is reported to be snake then as a monster from the sea. A huge ape - like thing sitting with its head between its knees is seen by the bigger boys. The beast has become a reality for them. Jack exploits the situation and tries to perpetuate the fear to keep his hold on the boys. Simon does not believe in the beast. He goes alone up the mountain and finds that it was the dead body a pilot. But he is murdered before he reveals the truth. And the truth dies with his death.
Jack understands Boyish Psychology:
Golding seems to give message through this novel that a British should hold up his traditions and civilized life under tough conditions. Jack plays on boyish psychology. He understands boyish psychology and weans away the boys from Ralph's group by enticing good meat and thrill of hunting. Jacks tribe with painted bodies and speaks with their dancing and song as a great attraction for the boys. They give up the disciplined life under Ralph. So, the boys leave their civilized life for one of barbarism and irrational dictatorship.
Conclusion:
Thus, Golding has brought up his deep knowledge of teaching profession in revealing boyish psychology. He gives a continuous picture of different types of boys, their individual characteristics, their ideals and their attractions. It is true to say that novel ‘Lord of the Flies’ is really a deep study of boyish psychology, behaviour and individuality.
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