Lord of the Flies: Book and Movie Comparison

Introduction

As most remakes are, the book Lord of the Flies and the movie are significantly different. Key components to the meaning and impact of the story are altered, in my opinion, for the worse when looking from the book to the movie. There are three changes we can see between the stories that could be looked upon as major differences. Without exception, the preferred version of the story seems to be that of the book.

The Lord of the Flies book and movie comparison essay demonstrates how significant alterations in adaptations can influence the perception of core themes.

William Golding's novel delves into the primal instincts of humanity and explores the darkness within. The film, however, makes noticeable changes that reshape the narrative;s power. Through analyzing the treatment of the beast, the shift in character portrayal, and the omission of key dialogues, this essay will show how the movie falls short in delivering the profound impact of the book. Moreover, it will explore how adaptations inherently affect the audience's engagement with the original story.

The Power of Isolation and Uncertainty

The first major difference that seemed to make an impact on the message of the story is involved with the beast.

In the novel, the pilot that is mistaken for the beast is introduced to the novel towards the middle of the story. This happens when he parachutes down onto the island, dead after his plane is destroyed. However, in the movie, the pilot is on the island from the very beginning of the novel when he arrives there with them since the beginning.

This alteration subtracts from the movie. This is because, in the novel, at the start of the story, the fact that there are no adults on the island enhances the feelings the boys have of loneliness, helplessness, ignorance, and isolation. Also, the addition of the pilot in the middle of the story can remind the reader and characters that there is still another world out there, other than on the island. I believe that this adds an interesting feel to the story that is unfortunately taken out in the movie.

Introducing the pilot from the start affects the novel's portrayal of isolation and doubt. Golding's choice to delay the pilot's introduction is impactful, highlighting the way fear can intensify without clear explanations. With no adults around, the boys rely on their imaginations, making the beast a symbolic representation of their shared worries. In the film, having the pilot immediately present diminishes the buildup, reducing the psychological tension that propels the narrative.

In addition, the modification affects the main idea of brutality, as it changes the way the boys' decline into disorder unfolds. In the book, the delayed reveal of the beast matches the increasing instability among the group. The decision in the film to introduce the pilot from the beginning eliminates this gradual progression, resulting in the boys' fears seeming less natural. This distinction is crucial in comparing the book and movie versions of Lord of the Flies, as it highlights the importance of timing and structure in storytelling.

National Identity and Symbolism

Another distinction between the book and the movie is that in the novel, the boys stranded on the island are English. Some of them were even part of a choir boys. However, in the movie, the characters were American military cadets.

This substitution lessens the impact of an important message William Golding was trying to express; there is savageness and evil within everybody. Since the boys in the movie were already trained to use violence, it was less of a surprise when they became savages because they were trained for war. However, in the novel, the pure and uncorrupted choir boys are ironically the ones who become the most savage. This supports the theme that William Golding was trying to express through his novel; there is savageness and evil within everybody. Therefore, this change in the movie lessens the impact of this message subtracting from the movie.

The transformation of the boys' national identity also alters the cultural backdrop of the story. Golding's selection of English choir boys highlights the difference between civilization and savagery, with the characters embodying purity and societal order. As they descend into barbarism, it becomes a startling display of humanity's innate instincts. On the other hand, the movie's American cadets are depicted as already accustomed to discipline, hierarchy, and aggression, making their change less abrupt. This modification diminishes the story's thematic impact and creates a disconnect between the audience and Golding's overarching message about the fragility of civilization.

Furthermore, this change affects the symbolism that is woven into the story. The choirboys; pure and angelic voices, as well as their initially innocent appearance, highlight the contrast with their later actions, creating a sharp comparison that is not present in the film. This distinction is especially important in any analysis comparing books and movies because it demonstrates how cultural nuances and characters' histories influence the way the story's main themes are understood. The movie's absence of this complexity ultimately restricts its capacity to convey the deep ethical dilemmas that Golding presents in the book.

Omission of Crucial Dialogues

The third major difference between the book and the movie is that the movie grazed over the conversation between Simon and the Lord of The Flies. This difference subtracts from the movie;s major theme.

This is because Simon;s interaction with the Lord of The Flies in the book shows a message of mankind;s inner evil. The Lord of The Flies is like the archetype of the Devil Figure. It was talking to Simon as if he knew better than him like he was “just an ignorant, silly little boy.” (page 143). It spoke as if he was an evil beast inside of everyone. This conversation corresponds to a major theme of the story, which makes it important. Since the movie lacked this event, it weakened the impact of the story;s message. The movie would be much more impactful with this event.

Simon's meeting with the Lord of the Flies is more than just an important event; it is the key moment that connects the themes of the story. In this conversation, the true meaning of the book is revealed: that the "beast" is not an outside force but something that exists within every person. Without this important scene, the movie loses one of the most thought-provoking and unsettling parts of the story. The lack of this interaction diminishes Simon's role in the plot and decreases the deep philosophical insight that Golding worked so hard to create in the book.

This exclusion also impacts how the audience views Simon's death. In the book, his tragic ending carries a lot of significance, as Simon dies soon after uncovering the truth about the beast. The contrast between his understanding and his violent death emphasizes Golding's message about humanity's struggle to confront its own inner darkness. Without this background, the movie depicts Simon's death as simply another loss, taking away the scene's symbolic significance. As a result, the film's portrayal feels unfinished and doesn't capture the emotional impact of the book.

Conclusion

The three main differences between the film and the novel are all about important aspects of the story. In every case discussed, the way the storyline is set up in the book compared to the movie is more impactful and helpful to the overall message of evil being inside of everyone.   

Adapting intricate literary works into films presents many challenges due to the differences between the two mediums. The novel's focus on psychological tension, symbolism, and philosophical depth contributes to its deep and complex narrative, which can be difficult for a movie to convey. Through changes in the portrayal of the beast, the characterization of the boys, and the omission of Simon's crucial dialogue, the film loses a significant amount of the original story's impact.

In addition, these alterations showcase the special ability of literature to examine ideas in ways that visual forms of storytelling frequently cannot. The capability of the book to explore the inner conflicts and ethical dilemmas of the boys connects strongly with readers, leading many to favor it over the movie. Although the film may streamline the story for a wider audience, it ultimately lacks the intricate depth that characterizes Golding;s masterpiece.

When we look at the two versions side by side, it becomes clear that the book does a better job of conveying the fundamental inner darkness of humanity. This examination highlights the significance of staying true to an author's original intention and the depth of their themes in adaptations, making sure that the key messages are not compromised in the process.

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