AP Book Report: "Lord of the Flies", by William Golding.

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1. Title of Work: Lord of the Flies

2. Author and date written: William Golding; written in early 1950's, first published 1954

3. Country of author: England

4. Characters (label as major or minor) with brief descriptions of each; include at least two adjectives for each and brief commentary.

Major Characters.

- Ralph: elected the leader of the boys in the beginning of the novel. About 12 years old in age, has strong leadership, and tries to keep peace and fairness throughout the boys. He was determined to be rescued and ordered a rescue fire, while other boys seemed to forget about being rescued and played around. Most of the boys except Piggy go over to Jack's group later when Jack makes his own tribe. Ralph symbolizes the civilizing instinct within humans.

- Piggy: is Ralph's "lieutenant". He comes up with some good ideas. Piggy represents the scientific, rational side of civilization.

- Jack Merridew: about 12 years old, who is the opposite of Ralph. He was originally a choir leader, who later broke off of Ralph and created a new savage tribe, which most of the boys joined. Jack symbolizes savagery.

- Simon: is a shy sensitive boy. He is really the only fully nice person on the island. He is nice to the little kids and the other boys. He finds the fallen pilot who was thought to be a beast. He is mistaken to be the beast and killed while trying to explain what the beast really was. Simon symbolizes the good nature inside humans.

Minor Characters

- Roger: is Jack's "lieutenant". A cruel person, mean to the little ones and later kill Piggy with a boulder. He also tortured Samneric until they agreed to join Jack's tribe. He picks on the weaker people.

- Sam and...