Jean-Paul Sartre’s Play, The Flies

922 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Existentialism on freedom essay

Jean-Paul Sartre’s play, The Flies is a tragedy in which Sartre melts philosophy, politics, and literature together. Sartre uses his literary talents and places countless themes and literary devices in The Flies in order to make statements about human beings as well as the political turmoil of 1946; freedom is a constant and obvious theme throughout the play, and Sartre even goes so far as to use inanimate objects, such as stones, to insert deeper meaning into the play. Sartre inserts bits of his life into the tragedy as well. It is no coincidence that Sartre wrote The Flies while under Nazi occupation in France.

Sartre’s portrayal of Argos in the play is strikingly similar to the state of affairs in France during the mid-1940s. Aegistheus as a tyrannical usurper of the throne is a clear representation of the Nazis that invaded and occupied France. Clytemnestra symbolizes the submissive Vichy government. Sartre had to tiptoe around the subject of the occupation, yet inserted enough similarities for it to be relevant for the people watching the play at that time. In essence, The Flies was a call to arms for the people living in France during the German occupation. While Sartre was so seemingly focused on writing a liberal piece of literature that would stir the French people into action, he also managed to insert countless existential theories and philosophies into the action.

The concept of freedom is a staple of existentialism, and as such, is present constantly throughout the play. However, freedom does not simply exist; Freedom must be seized and obeyed simultaneously, as Orestes explains in the end of the play: “Neither slave nor master. I am my freedom” (Sartre 493). In fact, the Oxford English Dictionary defines existe...

... middle of paper ...

...and would simply be carrying out another order that was predetermined many years ago. Because Sartre wrote The Flies during the Nazi occupation, Orestes’ decision to take action against the tyrannical Aegistheus is crucial. Orestes represents the French people, and Sartre clearly wanted to inspire an uprising against the oppressive Nazi leaders.

Works Cited

“Existentialism” Second edition, 1989; online version November 2010. ; accessed 18 January 2011.

Goldmann, Lucien and Sandy MacDonald. "The Theatre of Sartre." Drama Review. 15.1 (1970): 102-119. Print.

"Jean-Paul Sartre - Biography". Nobelprize.org. 19 Jan 2011 http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1964/sartre-bio.html

"Orestes." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2011. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.

21 Jan. 2011 .

Show More
Related

  • Lord of the Flies banned book essay

    658 Words  | 2 Pages

    It has come to my attention that the book I read, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, has appeared on a number of banned book lists in schools and libraries across the country. Many have also tried to challenge this book, for a number of varying reasons. In this essay, I will talk about what the novel represents, where and why this American classic has been shot down in many schools across the country, and why I believe we should change that.

    Read More

  • 'The Lord of the Flies' - Savagery

    1359 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Golding’s novel ‘The Lord of The flies’ presents us with a group of English boys who are isolated on a desert island, left to try and retain a civilised society. In this novel Golding manages to display the boys slow descent into savagery as democracy on the island diminishes.

    Read More

  • Savagery And Civilazation In William Golding's Lord Of Flies

    809 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lord of flies is about a group of schoolboys, who got stuck on uninhabited island after a plane crash. On island they struggle with savagery and civilazation while they are waiting to be rescued. William Golding gives the examples of elements what makes society ‘civilized’ which contains rules, laws and morality. He shows the consequences of what happens if we don’t follow the rules which he lead to savagery in his book. This civilazation in book also can be a metaphor for a government, its creation.

    Read More

  • Lord of the Flies essay

    894 Words  | 2 Pages

    Importance of Leadership Leadership is something that stands out in people. In a group, people tend to look for the strongest person to follow. However, the strongest person may not be the best choice to follow. In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Ralph and Jack each have leadership qualities. Jack is probably the stronger of the two; however, Ralph is a better leader.

    Read More

  • Lord of The Flies and Hitler’s Nazi Regime

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    The 1954 novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding won the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature and the novels allegorical nature has earned it positions in the “Modern Library 100 Best Novels, reaching number 41 on the editor's list, and 25 on the reader's list” (Lord of the Flies: Background). Golding’s thought provoking novel was written and published as the world was still remembering the horrors of the Second World War and many parts and components of the novel can be related to the Second World War, specifically Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Regime. Many comparisons can be made between Lord of the Flies and the events that occurred in Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Regime. The group of choir boys bossed by Jack Merridew can be compared to the brutal and intimidating Nazi police force the Gestapo. The character Jack Merridew himself can be compared to the father of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler because both gained support through using fear. Dehumanization is also present in the form of young Piggy and the Jewish People is Lord of the Flies and Hitler's Nazi regime respectively.

    Read More

  • Religion In Jean-Paul Sartre's The Flies

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    If the Emperor’s advisers had told him that he did not have any clothes on, then maybe his humiliation in front of his subjects would have been prevented. However, this is understandable for the advisers, because if they could not see the clothes, they would be deemed unfit for their positions. The real mystery lies in the fact that none of the adults in the crowd said a word until one child spoke up, which has a lot to say about the structure of belief in a given society. In The Flies, Jean-Paul Sartre creates the pious city of Argos whose social attitudes and traditions stand on a pillar of religion that has lasted for fifteen years. Like the child in the famous fairy-tale, Sartre exposes the religion as a farce; it is based solely on guilt

    Read More

  • Lord Of The Flies Literary Analysis Essay

    1004 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lord of the Flies is a novel written by William Golding in 1954 about a group of young British boys who have been stranded alone together on an island with no adults. During the novel the diverse group of boys struggle to create structure within a society that they constructed by themselves. Golding uses many unique literary devices including characterization, imagery, symbolism and many more. The three main characters, Ralph, Piggy, and Jack are each representative of the three main literary devices, ethos, logos, and pathos. Beyond the characterization the novel stands out because of Golding’s dramatic use of objective symbolism, throughout the novel he uses symbols like the conch, fire, and Piggy’s glasses to represent how power has evolved and to show how civilized or uncivilized the boys are acting. It is almost inarguable that the entire novel is one big allegory in itself, the way that Golding portrays the development of savagery among the boys is a clear representation of how society was changing during the time the novel was published. Golding is writing during

    Read More

  • Lord of the Flies: Literary Analysis

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    Much of history’s most renown literature have real-world connections hidden in them, although they may be taxing uncover. William Golding’s classic, Lord of the Flies, is no exception. In this work of art, Golding uses the three main characters, Piggy, Jack, and Ralph, to symbolize various aspects of human nature through their behaviors, actions, and responses.

    Read More

  • Essay On Symbolism In Lord Of The Flies

    1469 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... of hope for rescue and the destruction of their ties to former human society; and the Lord of the Flies, used to represent mankind’s “essential illness”: inherent human evil. Ultimately, Golding’s symbols, simple in appearance yet burdened with the weight of human savagery, violence, and inner darkness, do more than frighten. As these symbols are ingrained into our minds, so, too, is responsibility: the responsibility of recognition, understanding, and action. If we do not take heed of the messages behind Golding’s symbols, then our ignorance may be more than unwise—it may be fatal. For if we do not soon take steps to confront our inner evil face-to-face, we may eventually find ourselves trapped in Golding’s harrowing depiction of human society: one bound only by rules far too fragile that, when broken, lead only to chaos, self-destruction, and total savagery.

    Read More

  • Lord of the Flies

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    Looking at Lord of the Flies by William Golding, readers may notice both good and evil in each character. Golding wrote this novel to demonstrate that humans are evil and requires the constraints of society to maintain social order but Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy states that a person is naturally good but is corrupted by society. Taking place during World War II, Golding’s novel is centered around a group of British boys between the ages of six and twelve whose plane was shot down and were left to survive on an island. While on this island – away from the laws of England and the rules of the school – the boys had the freedom to act however their hearts desired but most of the boys became savage and violent proving Golding’s belief, that the evil of a person is kept in order by the restrictions of society, to be true. Rousseau’s belief is defined by the term the state of nature, which in this case, is hypothetical.

    Read More

  • Civilization And Savagery In Lord Of The Flies By William Golding

    1015 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lord of the Flies was written in the early 1950’s by William Golding. Golding wrote this allegorical novel in England when World War II was happening and Stalinism in Russia was at its peak. Lord of the Flies attracted a cult of followers, especially among the youth of the post- World War II generation (“Golding”). People thought that his book was too harsh, but what they didn’t realize was the true essence of how the war was really like. The war showed the good and evil side of everyone and it made people turn against one another and were no longer in a civilized manner. “What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?” he wondered due to the experiences that he had encountered as a British naval officer during this time. This effected that the worst in humanity would prevail, and that many so called decent minded people would be easily and willingly influenced to act in terrible ways towards one another causing conflict between civilization and savagery.

    Read More

  • Human Objectionality In William Golding's Lord Of The Flies?

    3256 Words  | 7 Pages

    William Golding’s Lord of the Flies exemplifies man’s capacity to unveil his innate primal nature when there is a breakdown of social order and a thirst for power. The characters of his novel portray the monstrosity of evil which dwells within human beings. For instance, Kunwar’s analytical essay about Golding’s novel states, “Though the young kids are in a place which is far from corruption, a place with no outside infl...

    Read More

  • Lord of the Flies Essay

    1983 Words  | 4 Pages

    The novel; “Lord of the Flies” is a highly renowned novel written by William Golding and published in 1954. The novel embodies many themes and events that are mysterious and unanticipated for the reader. During the course of the essay I will explain how the conch shell that is found at the foundation of the first chapter plays a significant role throughout the novel and how diverse themes are brought on from this influential shell. This essay will express an opinion on the conch shell, in the end has more power and order than the actual ‘beast’ that is signified on the island. I will also explore the social leadership of the conch throughout the novel which will also touch on a few themes that the conch shell plays a role in. The conch shell is one of the first real theme/symbol that readers are introduced too and stands its power for most of the novel which is why it should be explored in further detail in this essay.

    Read More

  • Existentialism And Jean-Paul Sartre

    818 Words  | 2 Pages

    He basically calls the people of Argos fools for following Zeus and repenting their sins. Here he is removing the people of free will, making them blindly follow this religion. I do think free will is often restricted, but by the person themselves, because they feel like they need to conform and follow this power. Sartre, through Orestes, makes it seem like you can only be free when you are free from power over you, therefore free from religion. I think this is a skewed view of life. Sartre generalizes followers of religion, specifically Catholicism, so much that they all seem like mindless clones. I am not religious, but I think people who follow religion don’t give it all the power. Rather than letting it have a hold over them, they work with it to make their decisions. Here is where I think Sartre fails. He is hypocritical. Sartre makes it seem like searching for answers or validation through religion is foolish, so instead, he gives us the answers he thinks are correct, he gives himself the power over the reader. He essentially makes himself into a god and existentialism into a religion, completely counteracting his previous points. Sartre is telling the reader that they are stupid, and existentialism is the right way, but since according to existentialism there is no right way, it all just becomes a never-ending, pointless

    Read More

  • Absurdism, The Stranger, and Life

    587 Words  | 2 Pages

    From those actions stems the character of Meursault. In writing, Meursault is painted as an indifferent, honest, and very strange man. He completely embodies the absurd and in many ways he can be considered a reflection of the absurd artist in the Myth of Sisyphus. Meursault expresses all of the absurd characteristics outlined in the book : revolt, freedom, and passion. Revolt- By not partaking in social customs or following c...

    Read More

More about Jean-Paul Sartre’s Play, The Flies

Open Document