‘Lord of the Flies’ – Key Quotes, Themes, and How to Get a Grade 9
William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a gripping novel about a group of boys stranded on an island who descend into savagery. It’s often studied at GCSE level because of its rich themes, memorable symbols, and powerful language. To achieve a Grade 9 in your English Literature exam, you must go beyond just remembering quotes—you need to analyse them closely, link them to wider themes, consider Golding’s intentions, and refer to historical or social context.
This essay will explore key themes, support them with top quotes, and offer you tips on how to write a Grade 9-worthy response.
Theme 1: Civilisation vs Savagery
One of the most important themes in Lord of the Flies is the conflict between civilisation and savagery. The boys begin with rules, order, and cooperation, but gradually descend into chaos and violence.
Key Quote: “The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away.”
This quote occurs when Ralph realises that the boys are no longer following rules. The phrase “understandable and lawful” suggests a world based on logic, reason, and structure—everything Ralph represents. The verb “slipping” shows the slow but steady collapse of order.
To analyse this at a Grade 9 level, you should consider:
-
How the island mirrors society: Golding suggests that without rules, humans revert to their base instincts.
-
The context: Written after WWII, Golding had seen first-hand how quickly civilised nations could turn to barbarism.
-
A structural point: This moment comes midway through the novel and marks a turning point in the boys’ behaviour.
Key Quote: “Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.” – Simon
This is one of the most important philosophical ideas in the novel. The “beast” is a powerful symbol: at first, it seems like an external monster, but Simon realises it represents the darkness within each person.
Top Tip for Grade 9: Use this quote to explore the theme of innate evil. A sophisticated essay will also compare this moment to the appearance of the Lord of the Flies (the pig’s head), which tells Simon, “I’m part of you… I’m the reason why it’s no go.” This shows that the evil isn’t outside the boys—it’s within them.
Theme 2: Loss of Innocence
As the boys become more savage, they lose their childhood innocence.
Key Quote: “Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart.”
This quote comes in the final chapter, when the naval officer rescues the boys. It shows Ralph’s emotional collapse and understanding of what they’ve become. The phrase “darkness of man’s heart” echoes the novel’s central idea that evil is within all people.
To impress an examiner:
-
Link this to Golding’s message: After WWII, he rejected the idea that humans are naturally good.
-
Explore the tragic irony: They’re “rescued” by a warship—symbolising adult civilisation, but also a world still full of war and violence.
Theme 3: Power and Leadership
Golding explores different types of leadership through characters like Ralph, Jack, and Piggy.
Ralph represents democracy and order.
-
Key Quote: “I’m chief. I was chosen.”
-
Ralph’s leadership is based on the boys’ vote.
-
The use of “chosen” reflects fairness and authority, contrasting Jack’s violent takeover.
-
Jack represents tyranny and dictatorship.
-
Key Quote: “Bollocks to the rules!”
-
This quote shows Jack’s rejection of civilisation and order.
-
The language is aggressive and crude, marking his descent into savagery.
-
Grade 9 strategy: Compare Ralph and Jack. Discuss how Golding uses them as allegorical characters—Ralph represents rationality, Jack represents desire for power, and Piggy represents intellect.
Theme 4: Human Nature
Golding believed that humans are naturally inclined toward evil when left unchecked.
Key Quote: “The mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness.”
This is a hugely symbolic moment. When Jack paints his face, he becomes something different. He hides behind the mask and is “liberated” from civilisation’s constraints.
For top marks:
-
Analyse the use of “liberated” and “shame”.
-
Link to the symbolism of the mask—how it allows Jack to kill without guilt.
-
Refer to historical context: Golding had been a teacher and soldier. He saw how people could lose their morals when given power or anonymity.
Theme 5: Symbolism
Golding uses symbols throughout the novel to reinforce his ideas.
The Conch – represents law, order, and authority.
-
Key Quote: “The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments.”
-
Its destruction marks the end of democracy and the final collapse into savagery.
-
The adjective “white” can symbolise purity and innocence being shattered.
-
The Beast – symbol of inner evil.
-
The ‘Lord of the Flies’ (the pig’s head on a stick) is a physical representation of this.
-
Quote: “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!”
-
The beast is not a creature—it’s a concept: the capacity for cruelty inside all humans.
-
Piggy’s Glasses – symbol of rational thought and clarity.
-
When Jack steals the glasses, it shows that savagery has overtaken reason.
Grade 9 Tip: Examiners love students who can track symbols throughout the novel. Show how their meaning changes as the story progresses.
How to Structure a Grade 9 Essay
Here’s a formula that helps:
-
Introduction – Briefly outline the theme and Golding’s purpose.
-
Main Paragraphs (3–5) – Use the PEE method (Point, Evidence, Explanation), but upgrade it to PETAL:
-
Point
-
Evidence (quote)
-
Technique (e.g., metaphor, symbolism)
-
Analysis (zoom in on words)
-
Link to theme/context/message
-
-
Conclusion – Summarise your argument and comment on the author’s message.
Sample Paragraph – Grade 9 Level
Question: How does Golding present the theme of savagery in ‘Lord of the Flies’?
Golding presents savagery as an innate part of human nature, which emerges when civilisation is removed. This is shown through the character of Jack, who rejects order in favour of violence and control. When he says, “Bollocks to the rules!” it signals his complete abandonment of democratic ideals. The use of the expletive conveys aggression and rebellion, while the dismissal of “rules” reflects Golding’s idea that without societal structures, people revert to primal instincts. As Jack gains power, he paints his face, with the narrative stating, “The mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid.” The metaphor of the mask symbolises his transformation—it allows him to act savagely without shame. This aligns with Golding’s post-war view that evil is not external, but internal. His experiences in WWII convinced him that ordinary people, when given power or anonymity, could commit atrocities. Therefore, Jack’s descent into savagery is not unique—it reflects a universal truth about human nature.
Contextual Points (AO3) to Include
Examiners award high marks for relevant context. Here are key ideas:
-
Post-WWII attitudes: Golding was disturbed by the Holocaust and Hiroshima. The novel is a response to the belief that humans are naturally good.
-
The Coral Island: A novel where boys on an island behave perfectly. Golding wanted to write a realistic version instead.
-
Human psychology: Influenced by Freud’s theory of the id, ego, and superego (Jack = id, Ralph = ego, Piggy = superego).
-
Christian allegory: Simon can be seen as a Christ-like figure—pure, kind, martyred. The Lord of the Flies even parallels Satan (Beelzebub).
Top 5 Quotes to Memorise for Any Essay
-
“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.” – Simon
-
“The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments.” – Symbol of order destroyed
-
“Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart.” – Loss of innocence
-
“The mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid.” – Liberation through savagery
-
“The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away.” – Collapse of civilisation
Make sure you can explain each one in terms of:
-
Technique (e.g., metaphor, imagery)
-
Theme
-
Character development
-
Golding’s message
-
Context
Final Tips to Get a Grade 9
✅ Plan before you write. Even five minutes of planning can help structure your answer clearly.
✅ Use sophisticated vocabulary, but don’t overcomplicate things. Clarity is better than long, confusing sentences.
✅ Embed quotes naturally: “Golding presents this idea when Simon reflects that the ‘beast’ might be ‘only us’…”
✅ Zoom in on language: Pick one word from the quote and explore its connotations.
✅ Link back to the question in every paragraph.
✅ Address context naturally—not just a bolt-on at the end.
✅ Edit your work if time allows: check spelling, clarity, and grammar.
Conclusion
Lord of the Flies is much more than a survival story. It’s a deep, disturbing exploration of what happens when humans are left without rules. By understanding the novel’s key themes—savagery, power, innocence, and the nature of evil—and analysing Golding’s language, you can write top-level essays. Remember, it’s not about how many quotes you remember, but how well you analyse them. With sharp focus, thoughtful structure, and clear understanding of context, you’ll be well on your way to that Grade 9.