Lord of the Flies

Question:

Answers:

1. 
   sdchumley Teacher
   High School - 11th Grade

   A possible irony exists in that the officer is himself in a war, a World War, something created and fought by adults, so he finds it a bit humorous that children, who adults believe are innocent and naive, would be "having a war or something." Since adults generally believe that children are innocent, that they have not had enough exposure to the harsh realities of the world and of life, they would not be capable of war. Perhaps Wiliam Golding, the author, wants his readers to think about whether or not all humans, regardless of age, are capable of meanness, physical violence, even war. After all, these seemingly innocent boys, after only a couple of days of isolation from civilization, quickly devolve into savage behavior. 

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/flies/

   http://www.enotes.com/flies/chapter-12-summary-analysis

   http://www.enotes.com/literary-terms/irony

   Rate answer:

    

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by sdchumley on Thursday October 30, 2008 at 5:54 PM
   
   

You can now ask questions directly from Facebook, add the Ask a Teacher App from eNotes!