ShmoopTube

Where Monty Python meets your 10th grade teacher.

Search Thousands of Shmoop Videos


Novel Videos 130 videos

1984
135160 Views

Well, if this book doesn't make you want to tape over your laptop camera, we don't know what will.

1984 Summary
136167 Views

By the end of this video, you will be brainwashed. There's nothing you can do about it; we just wanted to let you know. We like to think we're bigg...

A Farewell to Arms
20538 Views

You might be hearing a chorus of farewells if you recommend A Farewell to Arms as the next read for your Fabulously Feisty Feminist Book Club.

See All

Lord of the Flies 103805 Views


Share It!


Description:

Are humans civilized, or are we just savages waiting to come out? William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies tackles that question.

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:07

Lord Of The Flies, a la Shmoop. Watch for falling rocks.

00:13

Gather your comrades round, for the devil is inside each and every one of us.

00:19

Or is it? Just as the boys struggled to find out whether

00:23

they were 'civilized' or 'savage'...

00:25

...do we still struggle with the same question? We can be 'savages.' That's for sure.

00:37

We can still exhibit the same Jack-like bloodlust and betrayal.

00:43

Just like in the book, when the 'savages' betray one another and kill for the first

00:47

time. Isn't it human nature?

00:52

Aren't we just being competitive? It's a jungle out there...be it real or the

01:01

working world. It's survival of the fittest.

01:08

On the other hand, we can be 'civilized', too. Right?

01:14

Just like Ralph's side, we debate... ...we discuss...

01:18

...and we can usually get along without killing each other.

01:21

Unless it's over the remote control. So are we 'savages' or are we 'civilized'?

01:31

Maybe a little of both. We learn that leaning too far toward either

01:37

extreme... ...can be polarizing and divisive.

01:43

There's often a choice to be made. Sometimes it's not as black and white as it

01:48

seems. The savage side resides in all of us.

01:55

But, then again, so does the civilized side. We still need to make the decision though:

02:05

Which side wins out... ...and when?

02:17

Shmoop Amongst Yourselves.

Related Videos

Utopias Becoming Dystopias
29768 Views

This video defines utopias and dystopias, and investigates how a utopia might become a dystopia. Can a seemingly perfect world actually be a dystop...

The Importance of Being Earnest Summary
123040 Views

They say that honesty is the best policy, but Jack lies about his identity and still gets the girl. Does that mean we should all lie to get what we...

The Giver Summary
105893 Views

Ever wish you could remember everything that you ever studied? How about everything that everyone has ever studied? Yeah, pretty sure our brains ju...

Invisible Man (Ellison)
1818 Views

Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is an American classic. Hope you're not expecting any exciting shower scenes though. It's not that kind of book.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
1257 Views

Do not go gentle into that good night. In fact, if it's past your curfew, don't go at all into that good night. You just stay in your good bed and...