Lord of the Flies 1963 is a classic movie produced in 1963. The film tells the story of a group of boys who are stranded on an uninhabited island after their plane crashes. Initially, the boys try to maintain a sense of order and establish a functioning society, but as they are isolated from the rules and structures of civilization, they begin to lose their sense of order and morality. The boys’ descent into savagery is a cautionary tale about the dangers of isolation and the importance of society and civilization in maintaining order and morality.

The film explores a range of themes, including the loss of civilization and the descent into savagery, the power struggle and leadership, the dangers of groupthink and mob mentality and more. These themes come together to create a rich and complex narrative that invites readers to reflect on the nature of human nature and the role of society and culture in shaping it.

Lord of Flies 1963 Theme Analysis

The loss of civilization and the descent into savagery

One of the main themes of “Lord of the Flies” is the loss of civilization and the subsequent descent into savagery. The boys on the island start off as civilized British schoolboys, but as they are isolated from society and the rules that govern it, they begin to lose their sense of order and morality. This is exemplified by the way they hunt, kill, and engage in violent behaviour as they become more and more savage.

The loss of civilization and the descent into savagery is a major theme in “Lord of the Flies” because it illustrates the fragility of civilization and the thin line that separates it from savagery.

Initially, the boys are civilized and follow the rules and norms of society, but as they are removed from the structures and institutions that uphold civilization, they begin to lose their sense of order and morality. This is evident in the way they hunt and kill animals for sport, engage in physical fights, and use violence and intimidation to assert their dominance.

The loss of civilization is also evident in the way the boys become more and more primitive, resorting to superstition and primitive rituals as they lose touch with the values and beliefs that once guided their behaviour. Descent into savagery is a cautionary tale about the dangers of isolation and the importance of society and civilization in maintaining order and morality.

Groupthink and mob mentality

As the boys on the island lose their sense of civilization, they also begin to lose their sense of individual identity and become more and more subsumed by the group. They become more susceptible to groupthink and mob mentality and are swayed by the desire to fit in and be accepted by the group.

This is exemplified by the way the boys blindly follow the lead of their leaders, even when they are clearly making poor decisions, and by the way, they are swayed by the mob mentality that emerges on the island.

The loss of individual identity and the dangers of groupthink are key themes in “Lord of the Flies,” as they illustrate the power of the group to shape individual behaviour and the dangers of losing one’s sense of self in the face of group pressure.

The theme of groupthink and mob mentality serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of conforming to the group and losing one’s individuality, and it highlights the importance of critical thinking and the ability to think for oneself.

Violence and aggression

Violence and aggression are also major themes in “Lord of the Flies,” as the boys on the island become increasingly violent and aggressive as they lose their sense of civilization. This is evident in the way they hunt and kill animals, and in the way, they engage in physical fights and use weapons to assert their dominance.

Violence and aggression that occurs on the island are a reflection of the boys’ primal instincts and the way they are influenced by their surroundings. The theme of violence and aggression serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked aggression and the importance of maintaining control over one’s primal instincts.

Community and cooperation

Despite the violence and power struggles that occur on the island, the boys also recognize the importance of community and cooperation in order to survive. This is evident in the way they work together to build shelters, gather food, and establish a sense of order on the island.

The theme of community and cooperation is an important counterpoint to the themes of violence and power struggles, as it illustrates the way people can come together and work towards a common goal despite their differences. The importance of community and cooperation is a key message in “Lord of the Flies,” and serves as a reminder of the value of working together and supporting one another.

Power

Power and the corrupting influence of power are also central to “Lord of the Flies,” as the boys on the island struggle for power and control. The power struggle is evident in the way the boys elect leaders and form alliances, and in the way, they use violence and intimidation to assert their dominance.

Power struggle is used as a metaphor for the way power can corrupt and divide people, and it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power. The corrupting influence of power is evident in the way the boys become more and more ruthless and cruel as they vie for control, and in the way, they are willing to sacrifice their values and morals in order to maintain their power.

Overall the theme is a cautionary tale about the dangers of power and the importance of maintaining a sense of morality and ethics in the face of power.

Isolation and the dangers of isolation

The theme of isolation and the dangers of isolation is prominent in “Lord of the Flies,” as the boys on the island are isolated from the rest of society and must rely on each other to survive. This isolation allows them to lose their sense of civilization and descend into savagery, as they are removed from the structures and institutions that uphold order and morality.

Isolation also serves as a metaphor for the dangers of isolation and the importance of human connection. The boys’ isolation highlights the importance of society and civilization in maintaining order and morality and serves as a reminder of the value of human relationships and the dangers of being cut off from others.

The dangers of isolation are evident in the way the boys become more and more primitive and savage as they are removed from society, and in the way they are influenced by their surroundings and the group dynamic on the island. The boys’ isolation also leads to a lack of accountability and a lack of consequences for their actions, as they are removed from the structures and institutions that provide a check on their behavior. This lack of accountability and consequences contributes to their descent into savagery and their loss of civilization.

Inherent goodness or evil of humanity

The theme of the inherent goodness or evil of humanity is another central question raised in “Lord of the Flies.” The boys on the island start off as civilized and well-behaved, but as they lose their sense of order and civilization, they become more savage and violent. This raises the question of whether their savagery is innate or a result of their circumstances.

Throughout the novel and the 1963 movie, different characters represent different perspectives on this question. For example, Ralph and Piggy believe that humans are inherently good and that the boys’ descent into savagery is a result of their isolation and lack of proper leadership. On the other hand, Jack and his followers argue that savagery is an inherent part of human nature and that the boys’ violent behavior is a natural expression of their primal instincts.

Ultimately, the Lord of the flies suggests that humans have the capacity for both good and evil and that their actions and behaviours are influenced by the society and culture they are a part of. The boys on the island are initially civilized and follow the rules and norms of society, but as they are removed from the structures and institutions that uphold civilization, they begin to lose their sense of order and morality. This suggests that it is the structures and institutions of society that help to keep our primal instincts in check and maintain a sense of order and morality.

Inherent goodness or evil of humanity is a thought-provoking one that invites readers to consider the nature of human nature and the role of society in shaping it. It raises questions about the way we are influenced by our surroundings and the way we are shaped by the culture and society we are a part of. It is a powerful and thought-provoking theme that adds depth and complexity to the novel.

Final Remarks

Overall, “Lord of the Flies” is a thought-provoking and powerful novel that explores a range of important themes, including the loss of civilization and the descent into savagery, the power struggle and leadership, the dangers of groupthink and mob mentality, the role of violence and aggression, the importance of community and cooperation, the theme of isolation and the dangers of isolation, and the theme of power and the corrupting influence of power.

These themes come together to create a rich and complex narrative that invites readers to reflect on the nature of human nature and the role of society and culture in shaping it.

Lastly, Lord of the Flies 1963 is a thought-provoking and powerful film that has had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human nature and the role of society in shaping our behaviour.