Lord of the Flies is a symbolic representation of the many facets of mankind regarding community and leadership. And when considering leadership there are those who have a natural and inherent ability to perform in this capacity. But there are also those who are capable only of functioning as followers whether by choice, habit, or fear of the responsibilities attached to a position of authority.
I believe a thesis statement may be derived from this story in a psychological, social, or leadership capacity. A thesis statement may be derived as follows:
"Lord of the Flies reveals how personality type may influence how individuals relate to others as a leader" [psychological].
"Lord of the Flies depicts the power and influence of group thinking" [social].
"Lord of the Flies shows how leadership might develop without the influence of adult guidance or female influence within a younger generation." [leadership]
With any of these thesis statements, a researcher would not only investigate the affects of the boys' situation and how they evolved individually but also as a group. One cannot resist the need for self assessment in such a circumstance.
Lord of the Flies is a novel that has stood the test of time for many reasons. It contains characters who are both relatable and multi-faceted, and it forces readers to examine their own hearts and minds as they follow the trials and tribulations of the boys stranded on the island.
We can see bits and pieces of ourselves in the characters. Some of these things we see may make us feel uncomfortable, or even ashamed. The social dynamic of the group of boys is both unique and recognizable. While very few of us have experienced being stranded an a deserted island, we have all been confronted with situations in our lives that have forced us to take on roles we may or may not have been prepared to assume. When faced with adversity, groups of people tend to gravitate or be pulled into specific roles in order to achieve a common goal. The necessity for humans to analyze a situation and then work together to solve a central problem is universal.
I think that an appropriate thesis statement for this book would be something to the effect of: "Lord of the Flies has retained its relevance throughout the years because of its ability to expose and explore both human fragility and human resilience." Or perhaps: "Lord of the Flies remains as relevant today as it was upon its release in 1954 because of the way in which the author uses central characters to show universal human emotions and behaviors when those humans are faced with adversity and peril." You can use either statement as a starting point and go on to analyze and critique different characters or situations using your own thoughts and feelings.
No comments:
Post a Comment