I absolutely HATE how unrealistic Lord of the Flies is…

Oh, for sure! “Lord of the Flies” is like, totally out there with its take on kids stranded on an island. First off, the idea that they’d go from civilized to savage in a hot minute is pretty extreme. Kids are resilient, you know? They’re not just going to forget all about their upbringing and turn wild. Plus, the whole ‘conch shell’ government system they set up is super idealistic – I mean, who actually believes a bunch of young kids would stick to such order without an adult around? And don’t get me started on the ‘beast’ thing. It’s a huge metaphor, yeah, but the way they all just buy into it? That’s the stuff of nightmares, not real life. It’s like saying, “Watch out, or the boogeyman’s gonna get ya!” Totally brutal take on human nature, if you ask me. The whole setup is like a bad B-movie plot. These kids are stranded without a single adult, and not one of them is trying to build a signal fire right off the bat? Come on, even the youngest Cub Scout knows the 411 on rescue priorities. And where’s the teamwork? Instead of banding together, they split faster than a vinyl record in the sun. It’s like the author never met a real kid in his life. Sure, kids can be mean, but this story cranks it up to eleven with zero chill. It’s all drama, no logic – like a soap opera with a tropical backdrop. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the pig’s head, the “Lord of the Flies” itself. It’s like the symbol for chaos and evil, but the way it’s just plopped down there? It’s a bit too on-the-nose, don’t you think? Plus, the way these kids just flip the switch and become hunters and killers is just too much. There’s no gradual descent into madness; it’s like zero to a hundred real quick. And where are the elements of survival like finding food and clean water? It’s all about the drama and none of the real struggle. It’s more like watching a reality show than a survival scenario. And let’s talk about Piggy for a second – the voice of reason who gets totally sidelined! In any real group dynamic, there’s always that one person who keeps a clear head, and Piggy’s that guy. But does anyone listen? No way! It’s as if common sense has left the island on a jet ski. Plus, the way these kids just throw away their humanity like last year’s iPhone model? Unrealistic. Kids are tough, but they’re also super adaptable and inventive. They’d be figuring out ways to get by, not just diving into anarchy. It’s like the book is saying civilization is a thin veneer, and that’s a pretty grim view to have. It’s all doom and gloom with no room for the hope and ingenuity real kids would show. It’s a wild ride, but not the believable kind. For real, the character development, or lack thereof, is kinda wack. Like, these kids are complex human beings, not just one-dimensional archetypes ready to snap. In the real world, there’s a whole spectrum of reactions to stress and danger – some step up, some freak out, some shut down. But in “Lord of the Flies,” it’s like everyone’s personality is dialed up to create maximum conflict. And the ending? Too neat and tidy, like someone just hit the reset button and all the horror and chaos didn’t even matter. Life doesn’t work that way; there are always consequences and scars. The book’s got some intense scenes, but the way it all goes down? It’s more Hollywood than real life. The escalation is off the charts! These kids go from playground politics to full-on tribal warfare with hardly any buildup. It’s like missing the middle of a song and jumping straight to the bridge. And Simon – the kid with a heart of gold who gets the short end of the stick – his storyline is straight-up tragic. But it’s also kind of predictable, right? The good guy gets it while the bullies run the show. It’s the classic trope, but it doesn’t leave much room for nuance. The book paints in broad strokes when life is all about the details. It’s a stark picture of humanity that forgets the shades of gray we live in. Savage doesn’t even begin to cover it! The jump to violence is just totally unreasonable. In real life, there’s usually a ton more talking and trying to figure things out before things would ever get that extreme. Kids especially are super resilient and inventive – they’d be way more likely to band together than turn on each other. The whole ‘kill or be killed’ vibe in the book is just too much. It’s like skipping over all the human emotions and negotiations that would really happen. It’s drama dialed up to eleven when the truth is, most people, kids included, want to keep the peace, not tear each other apart. It’s brutal, and not in the cool way. “Lord of the Flies” presents a rather pessimistic view of human nature, especially in contrast to the real-life saga of the Tongan boys. Their experience underscores the capacity for cooperation, ingenuity, and resilience among youths in survival situations. The narrative of the Tongan boys serves as a compelling counterargument to the fictional descent into savagery depicted by Golding. It’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of unity in the face of adversity.

If you don’t know who the Tongan boys are, here is who they were:

In 1965, a group of six Tongan boys, students at a boarding school, found themselves stranded on the remote island of ‘Ata after their makeshift raft went adrift. Contrary to the grim narrative often expected in such situations, these young men demonstrated remarkable cooperation and resourcefulness. Over the course of 15 months, they established a communal system for the division of labor, food distribution, and water collection. They managed to survive by fishing, cultivating gardens, and even setting broken bones with rudimentary medical knowledge. Their experience stands as a profound example of human resilience and the natural inclination towards societal structure and mutual support, rather than descending into chaos or savagery. It’s an inspiring account that speaks to the better angels of our nature when faced with extreme circumstances.

by harleyquinnloverlol