International Journal of Diverse Discourses

Hegemonic Control over Nature: A Postcolonial Study of Golding’s Lord of the Flies

Author(s): Sadia Afroj Tithi, Sarah Tabassum, Samia Afroz Ria

Publication Date: June 30, 2025

Abstract

Nature is represented as the mother of humanity but are humans actually the loyal children of nature? People usually depend on nature but the irony is they are so ungrateful that when needed, they misuse nature for their own benefits. Hence, nature has become the toy of humankind. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies exposes the power practice on nature through the hands of humans. This study explains the colonial ideologies of the characters by hegemonizing the environment. Hegemony deals with the dominance or authority over something. The idea of hegemony is connected to colonialism. The story is represented as a miniature of colonial systems, unfolding how human will is imposed on nature and dilapidating ecological balance. It employs a qualitative close reading approach to explore the connection of nature with the idea of colonial intention. This research reveals how the characters weaponize nature to achieve their self- interest. Overall, this study explores the connection between environmentalism and colonialism by understanding the complex dynamics between humans and nature from a hegemonic perspective.

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