Lord_of_the_Flies__Mean_Girls

Practice Essay: Drama Unit Question: Lord of the Flies resonates today as it deals with ideas and values that are relevant to contemporary audience. The play by Nigel Williams, ‘Lord of the Flies’, adapted from William Golding’s novel of the same title, deals with ideas and values that are relevant to contemporary audience as they were when the novel was written after Golding’s first-hand experience in World War Two. The events of the war influenced Golding to incorporate themes of civilization versus savagery, loss of innocence and anarchy. Due to the experiences of the playwright, Tina Fey, through high school, these universal themes are also evident in a twenty-first century film entitled, ‘Mean Girls’, directed by Mark Waters. Although the portrayal of the themes are divergent, the two texts remain the same in its underlying message of the inert evil intertwined with the human psyche. The idea of civilization versus savagery explored in ‘Lord of the Flies’ is depicted through the journey of several English private-schoolboys stranded on an island during World War two. With the assistance of lighting and costume, the responder is positioned to witness the reshaping of the boys’ values and their integration into savagery. As their time on the island progresses, the lighting on the stage becomes darker and their uniforms are reduced to tatters or nudity. This dramatic technique evokes an eerie atmosphere and emphasises the idea of savagery taking over the once civilized schoolboys. “It has to be names like at school doesn’t it' Otherwise we’ll all end up like a lot of savages”, and, “…when the beast is in someone you have to kill them, like we killed Cambourne. That was all right”, mentioned by Jack in act 1 and act 3. This transition from leader of the choirboys to justifying murder highlights the theme of civilization versus savagery and the morphing of values and morals when one’s survival is at risk. Although its form has altered, the idea of savagery is still present in contemporary society, as seen in ‘Mean Girls’. “And evil takes a human form in Regina George”, said by Janis Ian, a friend of the protagonist. Similar to ‘Lord of the Flies’, ‘Mean Girls’ dwells on the idea of civilization versus savagery and is delineated through the protagonist, a home-schooled teenager from Africa, Cady Heron’s journey through high school life. The responder is able to witness Cady and hear her inner thoughts as she assimilates into ‘the plastics’; the savage. This process of assimilation can be illustrated through Cady’s costuming as the protagonist soon becomes indistinguishable from ‘the plastics’. Throughout the movie, Cady even compares the people around her to animals, “I know how this would be handled in the animal world…but this was girl world, and in girl world all the fighting had to be sneaky”. Thus implying that the humans are no better than animals and are in fact, under-handed versions of them. Loss of innocence is conveyed in the ‘Lord of the Flies’ through behaviour, costuming and symbolism. The use of attire emphasises the boys’ mental and physical state, as they evolve from their sheltered environment into savagery; the more savage they become, the deeper they delve into a point of no return. Symbolism is utilised throughout ‘Lord of the Flies’, for example, the Island is symbolic for the Garden of Eden as ‘evil’ is introduced to a pristine environment. “Woch you think you’re doing eh' With them spears and stones'…This says we got something to hold on to so’s we can remember who we…who we…are, OK'” said by Piggy in act 3. This unconventional behaviour, along with costuming and symbolism, depicts how one can lose their innocence once savagery and evil is introduced and the id psyche becomes dominant. In contrast, ‘Mean Girls’ is set in a rich suburb, laced with mansions and sport cars as shown by the usage of a montage. However, loss of innocence still poses as a prominent theme. Although decades have passed since the second World War, the loss of innocence still lingers in modern society as an effect imparted on young people by the media. For example, Janis told Cady, “Hey, buddy, you’re not pretending anymore. You’re plastic. Cold, shiny, hard plastic.” This places emphasis on the transformation of the protagonist once ‘evil’ is introduced; she has become what she hated. Throughout the film, the responder is also briefly introduced to Regina’s younger sister, stressing the theme of the loss of innocence as the young girl dances to a provocative song. The theme of anarchy, induced by Golding’s belief in the limitless potential for evil that each of us possess, is conveyed through sound and the characterisation of the antagonist, Jack. By employing the technique of natural sounds on the Island, ‘Lord of the Flies’ is able to highlight the lack of civilization and supplement the creation of anarchy. Jack, a strong-willed boy, acts as a dictator in the play as he revels in his acquired power. “Chiefs don't have to say. Chiefs decide. I’ve spoken. Come on then!”, mentioned in act 3 by Jack, underlines the idea of anarchy as all the boys on the Island, except Piggy, Ralph and Simon, succumb to his power and savagery. Similarly, the antagonist in ‘Mean Girls’, Regina George, holds the same thirst for power reflected in the ‘Lord of the Flies’. As described by Damien, Regina is “…the queen bee- the star, those other two are just her little workers.” The antagonist’s hold on the students and teachers allows her absolute control, which is illustrated through several low angle shots to establish Regina’s status and power in relation to the other students. Through the experiences of William Golding and Tina Fey, although written decades apart, the author and scriptwriter have laid down ideas and values that are relevant to contemporary audience, including civilization versus savagery, loss of innocence and anarchy.