What is an Inciting Incident, and how do I find one in "Lord of the Flies"?

    In storytelling, the inciting incident is the event or situation that sets the story in motion. It is the moment that disrupts the status quo and forces the protagonist to take action. In "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, the inciting incident is the plane crash that strands a group of British schoolboys on a deserted island. This event sets the story in motion and forces the boys to confront their own primal and violent tendencies as they struggle to survive.

Inciting Incident  "Lord of the Flies":

    The inciting incident is a crucial element of any story, as it sets the stage for the protagonist's journey and establishes the stakes of the narrative. In "Lord of the Flies" the plane crash is a powerful inciting incident that forces the boys to confront their own mortality and the harsh realities of their situation. They are suddenly thrust into a world without adult supervision, and must fend for themselves in a hostile and unfamiliar environment.

You Can also Read: “Lord of the Flies” By William Golding: Summary and Analysis.

    As the boys attempt to maintain order and work together to survive, tensions begin to rise and conflicts emerge. The character of Jack emerges as a powerful and charismatic leader who is able to tap into the primal and violent tendencies that lie within the boys. Under his leadership, the boys begin to engage in violent and brutal behavior, hunting and killing animals and eventually turning on each other.

    The inciting incident in "Lord of the Flies" is significant because it sets the stage for the boys' descent into savagery and violence. It disrupts the status quo of their lives and forces them to confront the harsh realities of their situation. Without the inciting incident of the plane crash, the story would not exist, as the boys would never have been placed in the extreme circumstances that lead to their descent into violence and brutality.

    In order to find the inciting incident in "Lord of the Flies" one must look to the beginning of the novel and the event that sets the story in motion. In this case, it is the plane crash that strands the boys on the island. This event disrupts the status quo of their lives and forces them to confront the harsh realities of their situation. It is the moment that sets the story in motion and establishes the stakes of the narrative.

    Overall, the inciting incident is a crucial element of storytelling, as it sets the stage for the protagonist's journey and establishes the stakes of the narrative. In "Lord of the Flies" the inciting incident is the plane crash that strands the boys on the island, forcing them to confront their own primal and violent tendencies as they struggle to survive. Without this event, the story would not exist, as the boys would never have been placed in the extreme circumstances that lead to their descent into violence and brutality.