#I’m very curious about the fanworks for this ANCIENT book. but I am scared. knowing what fandoms are capable of.

[yuttikkele]

i finally and painstakingly have finished reading the lord of the flies. it was not a fun read (it was boring), but I am satisfied with the ending.

THERE ARE LORD OF THE FLIES SPOILERS IN THIS POST.

(under the cut is mostly a lot of questions of what I’m wondering or ideas of what I think happens after the island. because I cannot consume a piece of media and not think things like that.)

The book ending with Ralph literally wedged between two very different but nonetheless savage wars is such an interesting ending. But, at least he’s not in direct danger anymore I guess!

Ofc I know about all the discussion surrounding this book and how it’s unrealistic. Yeah, it’s fiction. The chances of this scenario happening is like one in a million. I believe the book is over exaggerated to get the point across. To show that little boys acting savage on an island is not so different from men waging war. Or really, anything that happens in politics. I could talk more about the inherent evilness of humanity and the actual main points of the book, but I’m here to talk about something else.

While reading this book, being the character fanatic that I am, I kept thinking about how it would be if they all got rescued. Would they be tried in court? Would the boys keep up with each other any? Would they reconnect, learn from their experiences, and become better people? Would movies and documentaries be made about them in-universe? Would any of them write a book? Would some still try to profit off the fame? Would they all be too scared of what they witnessed on the island to do any of that?

How would the boys settle back in to British society? Would it be easy, hard, or uncomfortable? Would some get sent to institutions or facilities after not merging well with society again? Would they have bad reactions to specific foods (especially processed foods) after not eating them for so long? Would they be able to look at a pig the same way again?

I wonder what Jack’s wake up call is like, if he decides to change at all. None of the boys would probably trust him again after they’re knocked back into their senses. Or, maybe they do, who knows! Regardless, I imagine Jack either goes back to his snobbish ways, showcasing any little power he can get his hands on and probably thinking fondly of his time as chief. OR Jack realizes what he did was wrong and that power does indeed corrupt, and it especially corrupts him, and he works on becoming humble. Redemption arc style.

Mostly, I thought about Ralph growing up as a somber little boy, forced to lead at such a young age, having everyone turn on him, and almost dying because a ginger hated his guts. Would he or any of the other boys have PTSD? Any other kind of mental illness? I could imagine Ralph’s mom seeing off a joyful little boy and seeing him return as an almost completely different person. Speaking of returning, does Ralph survive a savage island while his dad dies in a bloody war? Or, does his dad return, only to find out his son had been in as terrifying a place as himself. Ralph grows up, more than likely being the only boy at his school that has ever been threatened by falling boulders. More than likely being the only one to experience what he has in general. He probably grows up and just feels, different. Maybe he feels that he doesn’t belong. Maybe he’s lost hope in humanity. But, I like to imagine, he makes another friend like Simon, which helps him remember there’s always hope, or like Piggy, to know there is always a voice of reason.