Lord of the Flies by Iannah

Lord of the Flies by Iannah - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Lord of the Flies. This is the book that I believe that every high school student should read before they graduate. From the back cover this book may seem like an older version of the Hunger Games, but it truly has good lessons for all that are valuable for the real world. This book not only demonstrates how important it is to be your own leader, but it also demonstrates that without order there is chaos.

First the book is already somewhat relatable since the boys are in school just like us students. In the story there are cliques just as in real life, the clique in this book being the older boys all grouping together against the younger boys. All of the younger boys look up to the older ones, because naturally we want to believe that our elders are wise. However on the contrary being older doesn’t make you wiser, it just means you have more experience. As most people come to find in life those whom wish to take charge shouldn’t always take charge. This is where the saying “too many chiefs, and not enough Indians” comes from. This is where knowing how to be your own leader is crucial for if you are always a follower then, you may soon end up following someone to your own demise.

Secondly the book also demonstrates that without order there is sure to be chaos. We may not always like the rules and laws that are set upon us, but think critically about if we did not have those rules and laws. Would our society be able to have become as advanced as it has. Would we be the people who we are today? Once the boys establish a “constitution” the island seems to run smoother versus them running wild and ramped. This applies with even the most basic laws in life, if there were no traffic lights how would we know when it is safe to proceed.

In conclusion I think that is highly important for high school students to read Lord of the Flies before graduating high school. It will not only entertain them, but also teach them some valuable life lessons. These which they can apply to real life situations. Knowing how to be your own leader and not letting others determine your fate. Along with knowing that without order there is chaos.