Dialogue

How the Boys Speak

• The boys in Lord of the Flies use British schoolboy slang from the 1950s.
• Examples from Chapter 1:
  • "Wacco" – means great.
  • "Wizard" – means excellent.

What Dialogue Reveals About Characters

• Speech reflects social class and background.
• Example: Piggy's incorrect grammar shows he comes from a working-class family.
  • "When we was coming down..."
  • "Them fruit..."

Why Dialogue Matters

• Shows the boys' upbringing before arriving on the island.
• Highlights differences in class and education.
• Adds realism to their characters.

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Exam Tip!

When analysing dialogue, consider how word choice, slang, and grammar reflect a character's background and personality.