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Jacob McMeekin
Weathersbee
AP Lit and Comp
9 October 2013
Frankenstein and Lord of the Flies Comparative Essay
In each of their respected works, Mary Shelley and William Golding each seek to
manifest what they consider monumental defects in their respected societies. In Shelleys
Frankenstein, she aims to emphasize the dangers in the advancement of the sciences while also
understanding the sciences capacity to accomplish great good for society. In Goldings Lord of
the Flies, he aspires to highlight the savage lifestyle that is war. Subliminal to these overarching
ideas is the theme contained in both novels that wisdom and knowledge possess the ability to
destroy society. Shelley and Goldings uses of irony and symbolism in addition to
characterization permit them to draw attention to the dangers of wisdom and knowledge.
Found scattered about Shelleys Frankenstein are examples of situational irony. One
example of situational irony in Frankenstein is Victor Frankensteins desire to create life; and
instead of creating life, he creates what many consider, Frankenstein included, a monster.
Although he originally intends to gain further knowledge in science and accomplish great strides
for humanity, Frankenstein instead creates a murderous monster that does more damage to
humanity than good: His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries
beneath; his hair was of lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these
luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes (Shelley 51). Later in the
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novel, another example of situational irony appears, emphasizing once again the dangers of
wisdom and knowledge. Due to Frankensteins creation, he begins contemplating suicide. The
irony lies in the fact that his suicide would be due to his creation of life, the monster. Following
Justines execution, Frankenstein states, I, the true murderer, felt the never-dying worm alive in
my bosom, which allowed of no hope or consolation (Shelley78). A third example of
situational irony in Frankenstein would be the Monsters desire to assimilate into society; instead
of becoming part of society, he begins murdering Frankensteins family, further alienating
himself. As the monster gains further knowledge on the situations around him, his anger
deepens, causing him to commit the horrific murders of Frankensteins family members. Shelley
describes the Monsters actions in the following passage, The child still struggled, and loaded
me with epithets which carried despair to my ear; I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a
moment he lay dead at my feet (126). In each of these ironical situations, Frankenstein further
attempts to gain wisdom and knowledge which leads to further despair, and in most cases death.
Similarly, in The Lord of the Flies, William Golding employs situational irony to
highlight the theme of the dangers of wisdom and knowledge. An example of irony that Golding
incorporates into his novel is the wisdom that Simon gains that the Lord of the Flies is a symbol
for the inner evils in humans; but as he is attempting to explain this wisdom to the other children,
he is killed. Simons wisdom on the subject is what leads to his demise, Softly, surrounded by a
fringe of inquisitive bright creatures, itself a silver shape beneath the steadfast constellations,
Simons dead body moved out toward the open sea (Golding 154). Another example of irony is
Piggy. Piggy, although he has poor eyesight, has a very keen insight when it comes to how to
best govern the island. This quality, similar to Simon, leads to his termination, Then the sea
breathed again in a long, slow sigh, the water boiled white and pink over the rock; and when it
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went, sucking back again, the body of Piggy was gone (Golding 181). A third example that
Golding incorporates to illustrate the dangers of wisdom and knowledge is found at the
conclusion of the novel. Ralph (who is considered the ego of the group, therefore is more
thoughtful in his plans) believes that there needs to be a fire in order to signal for any potential
rescue. The id, or the more irrational person of the group, Jack, however, sets the entire island on
fire. The irony of the situation is that the flames engulfing the island are what signal for their
rescue, We saw your smoke. What have you been doing? Having a war or something?
(Golding 201). In this instance, Ralphs understanding that a fire, which needed to be lit, rescues
them; but Jacks irrational behavior also almost kills them all.
To further emphasize the theme that wisdom and knowledge contain many dangers both
Shelley and Golding incorporate symbolism. In Frankenstein, Shelley carries fire and light as a
symbol throughout the novel. Light first becomes a symbol in the beginning of the novel when
Walton asks, What may not be expected in a country eternal light? (Shelley 13). Shelley
immediately utilizes light as a symbol of knowledge and discovery. Light makes a second
appearance as a symbol when Frankenstein witnesses the tree destroyed by lighting, which
triggers his interest in science. Light then presents itself as a symbol with negative connotation.
When the monster encounters light for the first time is a third appearance of light as a symbol.
The monster relates, light pressed upon his nerves (Shelley 92). This light then gives the
monster the knowledge of his hideousness, contributing to his anger, helping lead to his
murderous actions.
In the Lord of the Flies, the symbol Golding uses to represent knowledge and discovery is
Piggys glasses. Piggys glasses are first introduced when they are used to start the fire, which
catches the forest on fire. Although they contribute to the boys by starting the fire, they also do
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significant damage, considering the fire that is started kills many of the younger children in the
forest: As they watched, a flash of fire appeared at the root of one wisp, and then the smoke
thickened. Small flames stirred at the trunk of a tree and crawled away through leaves and
brushwood, dividing and increasing (Golding 44). At the end of the novel, Piggys glasses are
once again used to start a fire. Jacks group plans an attack on Ralph and Piggys group by
stealing Piggys glasses in order to start a fire. Ralph and Piggys group is then left helpless with
the glasses, the symbol for knowledge in the novel: He was a chief now in truth; and he made
stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggys broken glasses (Golding
168). The glasses are also used as a more specific symbol for Piggy specifically, representing his
personal knowledge. Piggy realizes that in order to survive the island needs rules and order;
however, Jack and his choir do not necessarily have this same belief. This knowledge, contained
by Piggy, causes many in Jacks group to look at him with disdain and plays a significant factor
in his later targeting as previously mentioned.
Additionally, both Shelley and Golding utilize characterization of a specific character in
order to further manifest the theme that in the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge there are many
dangers. In Frankenstein, the monster represents Victor Frankensteins personal pursuit in the
advancement of science. The previously mentioned detail Shelley chose to depict the monster
directly after its creation negatively describes the monster, further hinting that the pursuit of
knowledge and wisdom is filled with negative side effects. The way the public views the
monster further illustrates this point. Often times, whenever the monster attempts to assist
humans, the people fail to see that he is in fact helping them. They believe, rather, he is out to
inflict harm upon them: This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human
being from destruction, and, as a recompense, I now writhed under the miserable pain of a
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wound, which shattered the flesh and bone (Shelley 125). This characteristic further signifies
the negativity associated with the monster. Shelley also incorporates the monsters lack of
knowledge to further advance her point. In the scene, when the monster first discovers fire and
its warmth, he directly sticks his arm into the fire, not realizing that the fire will burn him: I
found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at
the warmth of it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again
with a cry of pain (Shelley 93). The characterization of the monster by Shelley depicts the
exact negative connotations she believes accompany the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
In the Lord of the Flies, Golding utilizes multiple characters in order to convey his belief
on the dangers of wisdom and knowledge. The three characters he focuses upon are Simon,
Piggy, and Ralph, two of whom are killed in the novel. Simon is characterized as a shy and
timid person in the very beginning of the novel; however, his actions are intended to contribute
to the society on the island. Simons characterization, directly before his murder, illustrates a
beastly character, not in fact that of an educated human being. It is a well known fact,
however, that Simon contained a superior amount of wisdom when it came to the events that
were occurring on the island. On the other hand, this knowledge leads to his murder, as
previously stated. Piggy is another character who is characterized as having wisdom and
knowledge. His glasses add to his persona that he is more educated. Contrarily, the glasses get
Piggy bullied and are considered a sign of weakness. His appearance that he is wiser than the
others assists in placing Piggy on the bottom of the social hierarchy of the island. This situation
causes Piggy difficulty when it comes to surviving , also as previously mentioned. Ralph, the
third character who Golding characterizes with knowledge does not begin the novel with a
superior amount of knowledge; however, his knowledge is acquired as time goes on. Ralphs
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insight on the need for a signal fire is not necessarily a popular opinion although it is correct.
This idea causes tension among the boys and had it not been for their rescue, could have
potentially lead to Ralphs demise.
Shelley and Goldings use of irony, symbolism, and characterization allow them to
manifest their beliefs that the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge can lead to negative
circumstances. Each of these stylistic techniques enables the author to clarify certain aspects of
their novels, bringing the themes to the forefront. By doing so, they bring to light the hardships
that Frankenstein, the monster, and the boys all experience due to knowledge and wisdom.











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Works Cited
Golding, Willliam. Lord of the Flies. New York: Perigee, 1954. Print.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Barnes and Noble Classics, 2003. Print.