Tzvetan Todorov
Todorov's theory is a useful one when trying to address the structure of any novel. In this case with Lord of the Flies, Todorov's theory works extremely well.
The theory states that there are 5 significant structural points in any given text:
- A state of equilibrium (all is as it should be)
- A disruption of that order by an event
- A recognition that the disorder has occurred
- An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption
- A return or restoration of the equilibrium
The boys are in balance at the beginning, despite the fact not everyone finds themselves stranded on a deserted island every day, they are on an equal footing. They are in the same situation.
Through the negligence of a few, many suffer. The fire is allowed to spread and destroys a significant swathe of the jungle causing arguments among the boys, notably the leaders.
Piggy identifies the problem. He calls for rules and for order. He asks the question regarding the boy with the mulberry mark on his cheek. He at least, significantly, questions their actions pointing out that there are consequences. Regardless of his failure in the long run, he does address the disruption.
Order is restored for a brief period. Some of the boys continue to try and build shelters, however this doesn't last long. It is a failed 'attempt' and a division strikes the boys apart.
The power struggle between Jack and Ralph leads to Piggy's death and further burning of the island as the boys attempt to smoke Ralph out. As a result of this a British naval officer is despatched to the island and the boys are rescued. They all begin to weep and the naval officer notably turns away as they do so. It is vague as to whether Ralph and just the little'uns cry while the older boys stand on. It can be read that they are all now 'little' boys and there is no distinction between bug'uns and little'uns. However equilibrium is restored, but it is a 'new' equilibrium which Todorov allows for in his theory. The naval officer represents order and authority and the boys are restored to hapless children.
Incidentally it is worthwhile arguing this point. Do the boys really return to an equilibrium? Ralph now understands the "darkness of men's hearts". Has he really returned to a state of equilibrium or has he realised that he lives in a world surrounded by chaos and disorder?
Throughout the novel there are several points where the 'order' is upset. Think of Simon's death, or the theft of the glasses in the night. The disarray that the fear of the Beast creates amongst the boys. Rather than the fire, is it the sudden fear that overwhelms the boys that causes the disruption. Is it then the naming of the fear that provides the 'recognition' and is order attempted to be restored through the naming of the boy's fear and subsequent hunt that takes them to the other side of the island? The narrative structure overlaps and it depends on your point of view where these five stages lie and how reliable they are.
Does Golding, for instance, suggest that there is no return to equilibrium for the boys and the world is not ordered in this manner. To imagine that the world is ordered is, after all, a narrow view. Is it more interesting to take the stance that by suggesting a disrupted state of order at the conclusion the boys see the world for what it really is: bleak and dangerous.
Fundamentally Todorov's theory models itself on a circular structure. How far is Lord of the Flies a circular text?
I believe there is possibility of the book returning to equilibrium but as the book finishes before the boys return to civalisation we do not know whether or not they return to equilibrium.
ReplyDeleteIn a sense they do return to an equilibrium: at teh beginning they are at teh mercy of the island before they group together, whilst at the end they are at teh mercy of civilisation through the prospect of returning to it.
DeletePersonally I believe that the novel does end in equilibrium as when the boys are about to be taken back home by the sailor they started crying, which perhaps re instated their child inside them. Also when the sailor turns away to let the boys cry it may be suggesting that he is letting them sob away their savagery returning them to the civilised selves they were before the turn to savagery.
ReplyDelete#YoloArmy <3
#banter
DeleteA good point Conor. In an essay you would support this with evidence (refer to naval officer, not sailor). It's certainly a Band 5 remark.
DeleteThe novel ends with the idea of the boys returning to society, however in my opinion the boys return to civilisation is a continuation of the newly found chaos discovered in the boys nature in their time on the island. Therefor there is no return to equilibrium. This idea is continued by the naval officer, showing the boys are returning to war, another continuation of the savagery discovered on the island.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea that the end is a continuation of savagery through the idea that it is a return to war and chaos. Excellent. Band 5/6 thinking here.
Deletei don't think the novel ends in equilibrium because the boys aren't returning from where they arrived. however, they are going into the company of an adult.
ReplyDeleteYou must extend and explore these points to achieve a higher band. The boys arrive, as far as the reader is concerned, on the island - we only hear about England from what they tell us...almost as though they have actually only ever been here and England is almost a dream. So they begin on the island and end on the island, however at the start they are somewhat empowered by the absence of adults, whilst at the end with the arrival of an adult, that power is removed.
Deletegreetings our fellow bloggers and class mates Annie and Annabel have come to the conclusion that the equilibrium is restored at the end as authority is back in order as the naval officer will now be in charge xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
ReplyDeleteYes - do you think that this is a good thing?
DeleteI believe that a state of equilibrium is restored at the end of the book because the boys weep, this shows how the boys have became boys again and turn away from being savages also the boys get on the ship this restores civilisation as much more of a reality instead of just a symbol through most of the book, tbh.
ReplyDeleteare you serial?
Delete#YoloArmy
#BanterLad
Delete*become
DeleteI agree with the point you make about equiibrium as this is clear, however what is less clear is what you mean regarding symbols...can you explain?
DeleteI think there is an ending of equilibrium in the novel because the naval officer takes them to a state of society:-)
ReplyDeletecool.
Deleterofl.
Deletehey guys
DeleteBy a state of 'society' do you mean order and control?
DeleteI think the novel ends in equilibrium, due to the naval officer rescuing the boys. It simply states in the book he is a naval officer, nothing else. No boatman to hell. So the books makes it seem as though it is restored as the boys are reunited to society. peace xo
ReplyDeleteBut it's intersting to view the naval officer as the ferryman to hell isn't it? They have failed to prove themselves in purgatory and he has come to collect them.
DeleteIn my opinion I believe the novel ends in equilibrium, as all the boys are transformed back to children once the adult arrives. The boys all share the same feelings and emotions as they all start to cry together because they realize what they have lost and done. The boys all suddenly turn from savages back to the equal civilised world.
ReplyDeleterather banterous
Delete#YoloArmy
extremely scrumptious
Delete#YoloArmy
a chewy piece of work to swallow
DeleteGood, straightforward. Would be a band 4/5 observation if supported by evidence. It may be interesting to discuss why they officer turns his back and whether it is clear all the boys cry or not.
DeleteI have come to the conclusion that the equilibrium is restored at the end of the novel. This is because the naval officer, the authority figure, arrives to take the boys back home. Whether the naval officer takes the boys off the island or not, the adult has the chance to restore the boys civilised nature and taking away the savagery.
ReplyDeleteHis very presence and all that it means and represents strips the boys of their savagery. A well structured reply.
DeleteI think there is an ending of equilibrium in the novel because the naval officer takes them to a state of society :-)
ReplyDelete#Banter x86
Delete#YoloArmy
thanks conn
DeleteDidn't Georgiee already make this point using the same wording?
Delete#Banter
ReplyDelete#YoloArmy
I believe this is an accurate representation of Tzvetan Todorov's theory in relation to the five significant structural points in the given text. I would agree that there is a restoration of the state of equilibrium because the previously savage boys become their previous state as the naval officer retrieves them from the isolated island and back to civilisation which is FANTASTIC
ReplyDeleteStrange fascination with the word 'fantastic'. A very good reply, especially as you have made reference to the theorist so your stance is clear.
Delete#Swaggy
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I believe that at the end of the novel there is a return and restoration of equilibrium as when the naval officer discovers the boys as he is there to restore power and have leadership over the young boys. Also the naval officer returns authority and civilisation to the boys by arguably over powering their savage nature.
ReplyDeleteIt is clear what you mean. Just read it back to yourself however and htink if it could be clearer...
Delete# Extreme Banter
ReplyDelete#YoloArmy
FANTASTIC
Deletei think they do end in a state of equilibrium as the naval officer appears and there is then a sense of authority again, he turns away as they start to cry and they return to children again and are all on the same level. There is a chance that they can never return to their normal lives again as they have become savages whilst on the island and will always be reminded of their time on the island.
ReplyDeleteGood, clear. Maybe worth mentioning that we only assume they leave the island - is it significant that physically they begin and end ont he island?
DeleteGood old discussion we've got above powerful stuff FANTASTIC
ReplyDeleteYes it is because although it is never said that they go back to civilization they still have a leader who has authority over them. There is a sense of civilization restored because they have their leader and they have now become less savage, realizing what they have done and crying, making them back into children.
ReplyDeleteGood, clear...look at your phrasing however 'making them back into children' - I'm sure you could have phrased this better.
DeleteI think that the novel does end in a state of equilibrium as we never witness the boys anywhere of than the island. At the beginning of the novel, the "little boys" are on the island and at the end of the novel they return to being "little boys". We never witness them leaving the island so we are not sure that they actually return to the real world.
ReplyDeleteGood point that they begin and end on the island. Why is it important they they begin and end here - they don't 'live' on the plane or the boat, only the island. THe island is of a special signifiicance.
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