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Lord of the Flies by William Golding Section Two. This icon indicates that teacher’s notes are available in the Notes Page. This icon indicates that a worksheet accompanies this slide. This icon indicates that the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable.
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Lord of the Fliesby William GoldingSection Two This icon indicates that teacher’s notes are available in the Notes Page. This icon indicates that a worksheet accompanies this slide. This icon indicates that the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable. For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.
Contents (click to go straight to each chapter) Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight
Allegory At this stage of the novel, we can see how Lord of the Flies can be read and understood on different levels. At a basic level, Lord of the Flies is an adventure story about a group of schoolboys surviving on a desert island. It is the story of what happens to them and what they do. But the novel also works on a deeper level, where its setting, characters and events are symbolic of Golding’s wider ideas about humanity and the issue of evil in the world. In this respect, Lord of the Flies is an allegory. An allegory is a story with a hidden meaning under its surface, often about politics or morality.
Symbolism Various elements in the novel represent other ideas. We have already seen how the conch is not just a shell but a symbol of authority and democracy on the island. What could the island itself and the boys be symbolic of? The island is used to represent the world as a whole; it is the world in microcosm. = = The boys represent a miniature version of society, though without the everyday rules and regulations which govern the civilized society we all live in.
Ralph’s speech As the leader, Ralph has tried to establish a civilized and fair way of life on the island by putting in place rules. However, he recognizes that things are not going to plan: ‘Things are breaking up. I don’t understand why. We began well; we were happy. And then –’ • What evidence is there that order hasdeteriorated on the island? • Why do you think this has happened? • Can you predict what may happen if things continue to ‘break up’?
What evidence is there that order hasdeteriorated on the island? Jack is not listening to Ralphs orders. He himself is trying to control the group. Most also don’t listen for very long. They want to play and have fun while they can. • Why do you think this has happened? Because there is no adult control that the group can follow and be obedient to. They realise Ralph as the leader, but not someone to follow direct orders from or to let him command them. • Can you predict what may happen if things continue to ‘break up’? A fight, between Ralph and those who do not wish to follow his order. A huge argument of wills between Ralph and Jack.
Diary Now write a diary entry as either Ralph, Jack, Piggy or Simon, following the dramatic events of the assembly. You might like to include in the entry your chosen character’s thoughts and feelings on the following: • how things are ‘breaking up’ • whether you think it is important to follow the rules • the change in appearance of everyone • the ‘ghost’ – do you believe it exists? • Jack’s departure from the group (if you are writing from the perspective of Jack, talk about your reasons behind this).
Jack- Diary No one is listening to Ralph anymore, he thinks he can control them, but he can’t. Hopefully soon they will join me. That Piggy better not get in my way. We don’t need to live civilly, we just need to survive. The rules are not as important as survival. We need meat and if Ralphs stupid rules are going to stop us then we don’t need them. Most of my boys have changed, in a good way. We are all dirty and our clothes have turned to rags. No one really minds. We all look stronger, even Ralph and Piggy a bit. That stupid Piggy is getting braver and braver each day and it’s starting to really annoy me. Especially how he talks about that stupid ‘ghost’. He just wants to protect the kids. They don’t need to be protected from something that doesn’t even exist. I eventually left, finally. I was getting so frustrated. It’s better on this side of the island. No one to say that we have to make shelters and what not. I didn’t need those stupid rules. I wanted meat, to survive. Live life the best. Not in safety and never leaving the beach.
Sam and Eric Sam and Eric are minor characters but are involved in important events in the novel. • How does Golding portray Sam and Eric? • What are Sam and Eric’s relationships with the other characters? Look again at the twins’ account of their sighting of the beast. • Is this an accurate account? Why do you think they describe the beast like this?
How does Golding portray Sam and Eric? • As if they are one person. They are boys that support the rest of the group. They have an overactive imagination as they describe the beast as a crazy idea • What are Sam and Eric’s relationships with the other characters? • They follow Ralph, but they are scared of Jack. • Is this an accurate account? Why do you think they describe the beast like this? • No, they were scared and running, they describe it like this as they could not see properly and there fear has caused them to make up things.
Chapter Six questions • What moment in Chapter Six shows that Jack is rejecting the values of order and democracy? • When he doesn’t want to use the conch to speak and that they don’t need it anymore • What is Simon’s reaction to Sam and Eric’s account of their sighting of the beast? • He doesn’t believe in it, he sees it as something monster like that they can’t hunt • Why do Ralph and Jack clash again when they are out searching for the beast? • They want to do different things, Jack wants to build a fort, but Ralph wants to relight the fire
The other side of the island Think back to Golding’s description of the island in Chapter One. Now read again the description of the tail end of the island which the boys explore in Chapter Seven. • How is this side of the island different to the part of the island where the boys live? Boys’ side of the island Other side of the island Palm terrace Still lagoon Cold ocean water Hard horizon How do the different surroundings and atmosphere of this side of the island make Ralph feel?
Jack versus Ralph After an ongoing struggle for authority, Jack revolts against Ralph and the boys split into two definite groups: What does Group 1 have that Group 2 want? Group 1 Group 2 Ralph, Piggy andSam and Eric Jack, Roger and the hunters Pro: have fireCon: no goodhunters so lackof food Pro: no rules orresponsibilitiesCon: fearful leader And what will they use to get it? Which group would you rather be in? Think about the benefits and the downsides of belonging to each group.
Jack versus Ralph Look at the way Jack talks to his tribe. • If Ralph’s method of leadership is democratic, how would you describe Jack’s approach? • Think about the values of each group. How different are they? Think of a word or phrase which you feel best sums up each group. Piggy blames the break-up of their society solely on Jack. Do you agree with him, or is Ralph partly at fault? Is there anything he could have done differently as the leader? Add to your table of Ralph’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader.
If Ralph’s method of leadership is democratic, how would you describe Jack’s approach? His approach is unlawful, he decides things on his own and oppresses everyone else to follow Think about the values of each group. How different are they? Think of a word or phrase which you feel best sums up each group. Ralphs group would be ‘law and order’ they want to keep things right and in order to survive and also to keep the possibility of rescue high. Jacks group would be ‘oppressive’. Jack controls his group and monopolizes them.
Simon and the Lord of the Flies Simon comes across the pig’s head covered in flies, and has a conversation with it. • Is this conversation real? What does the Lord of the Flies tell Simon? I’m the Beast. You’re not wanted. Don’t try to escape! We shall do you. What could this conversation be foreshadowing?
That he is a ‘silly little boy’ and that he doesn’t want Ralph to think Simon is ‘batty’. That he is a part of Simon and Simon is not wanted and that they are going to ‘have fun on this island’ • Is this conversation real? What does the Lord of the Flies tell Simon? What could this conversation be foreshadowing? Possibly Simons death. Or his downfall against the other boys.
Simon and the Lord of the Flies In Chapter Five, Simon reacted to the suggestion that there was a beast on the island by saying ‘Maybe it’s only us’. Then, in his imaginary conversation, the Lord of the Flies (the voice inside Simon’s head) says: ‘Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!’…You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you?...I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?’ • What has Simon come to realize about ‘the beast’? • That it is a part of all of them. They are the beast.
Simon and the Lord of the Flies Simon has a deeper understanding of his situation than the other boys. He realizes that the beast is not a creature orghost but is the boys themselves – the beast is something within them all. Golding uses the idea of the beast to symbolize the potential for evil which he believes exists within all humans. When this evil is allowed to flourish, as it is on the island, it causes destruction. The name ‘Lord of the Flies’ is a direct translation of Beelzebub – a biblical name for the devil. The pig’s head therefore represents evil. Simon is ‘not wanted’ because he represents good.
Religious symbolism The name ‘Lord of the Flies’ is one example of religious symbolism in the novel. Can you identify any other religious symbols in the novel? The island represents the Garden of Eden. The beast symbolizes the devil, who enters the Garden of Eden in the shape of a snake, and leads Adam and Eve to sin. As a truly good character Simon becomes a Christ-like figure.
