Lord of the flies book vs movie

Lord of the Flies Book VS Movie

The three major differences between the movie Lord of the Flies by Harry Hook and the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding are the captain’s survival, the lack of the conch’s role and the unclear descriptions of the tension between Jack and Ralph.

The biggest difference that altered the movie from the book was the captain’s survival. In the movie, the pilot survived the crash along with the boys. Later on in the movie, the pilot becomes the “beast” as he runs away from the camp and hides himself in a cave. However in the book, the pilot dies in the plane crash and the “beast” is another pilot who crash lands on the island during the story. This is a very crucial difference because Golding’s intentions were to show that without an adult there is no order between the boys. However in the movie, Hook does not show this.

Another major difference was the lack of the conch’s role. In the book, Golding made the conch’s role clear and symbolic by making it symbolize a lot of elements. For example, it symbolized leadership because Ralph used it to gather the boys in the assembly. Also, it symbolizes order in civilization and democracy because everyone had a chance to speak with the possession of the conch. However, in the movie, Hook did not give a lot of meanings to the conch. The conch was mainly used to gather boys in the island by blowing it rather than symbolizing anything beyond its literal use. The destruction of the conch was symbolic in the book because it showed the end of democracy when the conch shatters to pieces. To the contrary, Hook did not even show the annihilation of the conch at all.

The last major difference between the book and the movie is the unclear description of the tension between Ralph and Jack as the book progresses. Every chapter, Golding showed how the relationship between Jack and Ralph worsened and how the aggression between the two became very tense. The clash for power was the reason why Jack and Ralph had a bad relationship. Jack wants the chief role but is unable to take over Ralph’s spot as chief. In the movie however, this important path is not shown. Hook also omitted some parts of the book that showed Jack’s frustration towards Ralph. For example, he omitted the part when Jack tries to outvote Ralph from the chief spot.

The three major differences show how the movie lacked specific details and how it omitted significant scenes from the book. The movie only showed the literal storyline of the book instead of showing symbolic and significant inside meanings of the book. Hook also modified some parts of the book in his movie version. But by doing so, it vaguely shows the outside storyline of the book while the novel contains deeper and symbolic meanings.

Your Version

Ralph stumbled over a rock, fell, and could not get back up. The group of hunters got close with Jack, many of them willing to take the first shot at killing the beast.

“Stop! Stop!” Jack halted the group to lower their spears. His thought of killing Ralph made him sweat with excitement. This was the end. This was the final path for him to be the real chief.

Ralph staggered, trying to drag himself away from the group of savages. He tried his best to claw through the sand, but it was useless. Suddenly, a brown stick whooshed through the air like a striking bird; it passed right next to Jack’s head, missing it by only a few inches. The sharp end pierced through Ralph’s chest. Ralph let out his last breath, and fell on the sand helplessly. The sand started spreading bright red colors. The sound of the wave echoed while the boys looked at the dead body with their eyes wide open with astonishment. Dead silence followed until Jack broke it.

“Who threw the-“

“I did,” a familiar deep voice came from the group of boys. Roger stood forward with pride as he stared down at Jack. “You got a problem?”

Jack stared back at Roger. For a slight second, the boys could feel the tension rising between their two strongest leaders. Tears ran down Jack’s cheek with frustration as he brought up his spear and launched it towards Roger. Expecting the situation, Roger bent down. Caught the spear at the side and pulled the spear, dismantling Jack’s only weapon. Then he threw a powerful fist towards Jack’s stomach, making Jack get down on his knees and cough. Roger walked away towards the Castle Rock, ignoring Jack’s presence. Jack couldn’t say anything; he was left to be embarrassed by his own group of boys. Boiling with frustration and anger, Jack fell on the sand, vision surrounded by darkness.

Jack opened his eyes to see his group of hunters, but only a few of them.

“Where are the others?” Jack said in amazement. All of his hunters had a sad face expression, every one of them afraid to talk to their chief. “Answer my question!” Jack shouted.

“Roger… Most of the boys followed Roger… He made his own tribe, I’m sorry, Jack,” Maurice managed to say with his head looking down.

“no….” Jack whimpered, as tears fell from his eyes. He thought he would be chief, but after letting Roger kill Ralph, everything turned into dust. Suddenly, Jack stood up, snatched Maurice’s spear. His face looked like a warrior about to confront his last battle. “Where is Roger?”

“Jack is now powerless!” Roger shouted at his group of boys. “I killed Ralph. I took down Jack as well. There is nobody in this island who can confront and win against me! Stay with me, and safety will be provided!” the crowd of little boys shouted with confidence as Roger made his statement clear. He had moved to the beach shelters, along with a group of boys when Jack fainted by his might punch.

“Roger!” a voice sounded from the outside. Roger knew this would happen and was ready.

“Remember boys, this is the final step. Win this and we will be dominant,” Roger said without hesitation. He went outside; along came his group of boys, with each of them grasping a spear in their hands.

“You’re not chief,” Jack said.

“Well, you don’t deserve to be chief, because I am stronger than you,” Roger said back.

It was enough to ignite the fire. As soon as Jack raised his spear, everything was out of control. The boys from each side started fighting each other, regardless of who they were fighting against. Roger himself confronted Jack as the leaders clashed for the final throne. Blood was everywhere; unconscious boys lay on the floor.

Suddenly, a gunshot from a distance was heard. All the boys stopped fighting and looked towards the direction from where the gun was fired. A man with a white topped cap was running towards the boys with his revolver pointing upwards in the sky.

“What’s happening here?” the naval officer said. “Everyone drop their spears!”

“Sir, we were just…” Jack tried to protest.

“So you kids are British? I’d have thought that British kids would have done better than this,”

The boys were surprised and astounded. They were living in their own dreams, not knowing that rescue would eventually arrive.

“I will be waiting at the end where the ship is. Come when you’re mentally ready to leave,”

The kids just stood there, until one of them decided to follow the officer. At the end, only Jack and Roger stood on the sand. They were addicted to the taste of power and now they have realized the fact of the rescue. Warm breeze blew as Roger lead the steps with his face pointing down. Jack followed, and the island was left with just bodies and blood, everything they have tried going to dust.

Analysis:

In previous chapters, Golding provided noticeable clues about Roger. Jack could not punish or even say anything to Roger, because Jack was afraid of Roger. Roger never hesitates to kill; meanwhile Jack did not directly commit any murders. What happens in the Lord of the Flies happens commonly in history, as Jack takes over Ralph’s chief spot and Roger foreshadowed to do the same if Golding did not send the officer to the island. In Chinese history, many leaders have overthrown the king and set a new dynasty. It is human nature to want to be the leader, making people inhumane and savage. Golding did a great job showing human nature for power in the Lord of the Flies.