LORD OF THE FLIES - OUTSIDERS

The treatment of outsiders plays a pivotal role in the novel Lord of the Flies. Piggy, Simon, Ralph and even to some extent Jack are all at certain points in the novel outside of the main group of boys in different ways. Golding’s portrayals are so effective that we can, to a significant extent, see his views of the treatment of outsiders in real life.

If there is one common factor we can relate to all of those who could be considered outsiders, is that they all have weaknesses, or certain problems that makes them susceptible to be placed outside the central group of boys. Nevertheless, they are in many ways portrayed as equally likeable by Golding and each captures certain reader sympathy.

Piggy is the most obvious and most bullied outsider. He is in many ways a classic ‘geek’; he is fat, suffers from asthma, requires glasses and is almost too intelligent for the situation his is placed within, making him very different and as a consequence, outside. From the...