Notes from today’s class: Title Writer Date Gist Intention “Lord of the Flies” was written by William Golding in 1954. The book is about a group of public-school boys who revert to savagery when left on a desert island. This essay will explore whether this decline to savagery was inevitable or not. A decline to savagery for unsupervised children is the key idea behind William … Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Essay Beginnings
In class, we looked at the scene where the sow is killed by Jack’s hunters. As noted, the language is highly sexualised: “spurted”, “hurled themselves”, “eruption”, “frantic”, “squealed and bucked”, “sweat and noise”, “on top of the sow”, “stabbing”, “inch by inch”, “high-pitched scream”, “collapsed under them”, “fulfilled”.This language is considered to be “Freudian”, after the Viennese psychologist, Sigmund Freud, who believed that there is … Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Chapter Eight
Simon is a smaller boy, certainly younger than the other protagonists. He is a halfway between the imagination of the littluns and the wisdom of Piggy. He is regarded as a spiritual figure in the novel, always associated with calm. Importantly, he is the first to recognise that the greatest threat to the boys is the violence within them. When Simon speaks, his words often … Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Simon
Character Analysis SamnericPhysical: The two twins are so identical that they are given one name and cannot function without each other:“They breathed together, they grinned together, they were chunky and vital. They raised wet lips at Ralph, for they seemed provided with not quite enough skin, so that their profiles were blurred and their mouths pulled open.”Involvement: Samneric are often in charge of watching the … Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Minor Characters
* Freudian/ sexual imagery/ phallic symbolism/ the violent or sexual urge* Link to Golding’s own story* “Le petit mort”* Killing of the sow p147 * Christian symbolism* Garden of Eden/ Fall of man* Original sin * Simon the Christ figure – the wilderness* Jack, the devil* The lord of the flies Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Christian/ Freudian Readings
Below is a summary of the work we did today. If you’re interested in Freud, there is plenty to read here. 1) Death of Piggy and Destruction of Conch: Failure or breakdown of society on the island.2) Plane Crash: Failure or breakdown of society in the world outside; spread of corrupting ideas.3) Forest Scar: This path of destruction through the forest, caused by the crashing … Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Symbolism
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter One – The Sound of the Shell 1) The boys are in a serious situation due to the imperfect nature of society which Golding wants to analyse.How have the boys landed in this situation? Find at least SIX pieces of evidence. 2) In the first chapter alone, much is revealed about the main characters.Write a brief character sketch for each of … Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Q&As #1
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Two – Fire on the Mountain1) Show, using quotation, how the different personalities of Ralph, Piggy and Jack are further developed in this chapter. 2) Why does Golding mention Treasure Island, Swallows and Amazons and Coral Island on p33?From your knowledge of the whole novel, explain the irony here. 3)Golding says the novel is largely symbolic.In the description of the setting, … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #2
The exam is tomorrow morning, so here’s a quick revision tester – 20 of the most memorable quotes from the text. See how many you can remember… 1. “The creature was a party of boys, marching…”2. “‘We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages.”3. “‘You got your small fire all right.’”4. ” Simon found for them the fruit they could … Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Quotation – Revision
Below is a sample essay. It is far from perfect but it should give you an idea of the direction to go in.Lord of the Flies – The Nature of EvilWilliam Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” was written and published in the early 1950s. The novel is, on one level, a story of boys unsupervised and wild on a deserted island, but on another it … Continue reading Higher – Lord of the Flies – Nature of Evil
Spend five to ten minutes brainstorming ideas for these essay questions. * Write down the main points you would include.* Note any quotations you might use.* Note how these link to the main themes of the text. 1 Choose a novel which explores the nature of evil.Show how the writer’s exploration of the theme enhanced your understanding of evil. 2 Choose a novel or short … Continue reading Higher – Revision – Quick-Planning
Below is a huge amount of revision materials; you should try as many of the short essays as possible during your revision. Lord of the Flies – General Points o The novel is an allegory, which is a story that works on two or more levels of meaning. o There is the actual story of what happens to the boys on the island and there … Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Revision Material
There’s a revision game for the text here. Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Revision Game
The mindmap constructed by CR, JW, AD and KR is available here. Worth a look while revising. Continue reading Higher – Lord of the Flies Symbolism Mindmap
For those of you who need a bit of visual revision help. Click here. Continue reading Lord of the Flies Mindmap
Click here for my chapter by chapter summaries. Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Chapter Summary presentation
Psychological Insights in Lord of the Flies by William Golding by K. M. Parivelan As a novelist, William Golding developed a unique style characterized by simplicity and economy of expression. He deliberately refrained from excessive narration and consistent characterization. His treatment of the novel has been called ‘anti-science’ since he equated scientific and technological progress with dehumanization and traced the shortcomings of the modern society … Continue reading Psychological Insights in Lord of the Flies
I found this online and it’s a pretty effective trailer for the film, even if the film isn’t that great. The use of quotation is good, though. //www.youtube.com/get_player Feel free to leave comments. Continue reading Lord of the Flies
1. “The Conch was silent” This shows personification as it gives the conch human qualities – it also provides a contrast to the heated debate that the conch has been used for in the past. 2. “The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist” Symbolism as the conch symbolises law and order and now that the conch does not exist, neither … Continue reading Lord of the Flies – Quotation Analysis
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Twelve – Cry of the Hunters1. “There was the indefinable connection between himself and Jack: who therefore would never let him alone: never.” (p204)Why does Jack have to kill Ralph? 2. Twice Ralph meets the pig’s head grinning: “The skull that gleamed as white as ever the conch had done and seemed to jeer at him cynically… the thing was lifeless… … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #12
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Eleven – Castle Rock1. What is symbolised by the fight between Jack and Ralph in this chapter? 2. The conch is smashed at the same time as Piggy is killed.What deeper meaning lies behind these incidents?3. Show, using quotation, how Roger’s personality is further developed in this chapter.4. Explain the importance of the following: a) “The others nodded. They understood only … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #11
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Ten – The Shell and the Glasses1. Study pp171-175a) How do the boys show their guilt at their involvement in Simon’s death?b) How do they try to cover up this guilt? 2. What might be symbolised by Jack’s theft of Piggy’s glasses?3. Ralph and Piggy are willing to share the fire.Why then should Jack consider it necessary to steal it?4. Discuss … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #10
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Nine – A View to a Death 1. ’P’raps we ought to go too?’ (p160)Why are Ralph and Piggy drawn to Jack’s lot, albeit only for a little while? 2. The balance of power has swung towards Jack – now he asserts his authority. Quote to illustrate Jack’s new sense of power. (p164-165) 3. a) Consider why the boys fall on … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #9
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Eight – Gift for the Darkness 1. This chapter is the turning point in the novel: Jack deserts Ralph’s authority completely and forms a rival group.Why do the other boys desert to join Jack instead of staying with Ralph and Piggy?2. The brutal killing of the sow is the climax of the book, the point at which the powers of destruction, … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #8
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Seven – Shadows and Tall Trees1. Ralph once more considers the appearance of himself and the others.Briefly note the changes he notices and explain why Golding has drawn attention to them.2. Simon states, “You’ll get back to where you came from… you’ll get back all right.” (p121) a) Why does the author introduce this incident? Consider its deeper meaning.b) How does … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #7
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Six – Beast from Air1. Explain the significance of the following: “But a sign came down from the world of grown-ups, though at the time there was no child awake to read it.” (p103) “’It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us…’” (p111) “Simon… felt a flicker of incredulity… However, … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #6
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Five – Beast from Water1. Ralph must reassert his authority at the assembly.Apart from the failure to keep the fire going, how else has the island’s organisation been breaking down?2. Before the assembly, Ralph looks at his appearance.“With the convulsion of the mind, Ralph discovered dirt and decay”? 3. Once again, the apparent order gives way to chaos.Ralph realises the island … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #5
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Four – Painted Faces and Long Hair 1) Maurice smashes sandcastles and runs away guiltily. Roger throws stones at Hendry but tries to miss.How do these incidents relate to the conflict mentioned above?Illustrate your answer with quotation. (P63-65) 2) Jack suggests his mask is for camouflage.What other purpose does it serve? (P66-67)Quote in support of your answer. 3) Explain how the … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #4
“Lord of the Flies”Chapter Three – Huts on the Beach 1) What is Golding’s purpose in the lengthy description of Jack and his actions at the beginning of the chapter?In particular here, consider Golding’s imagery. 2) Already the conflict between Jack and Ralph is developing:“They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to communicate.‘If only I could get a pig!’‘I’ll come back and … Continue reading Lord of the Flies Q&As #3
This is a link to a good revision game. Worth a look. Continue reading Higher – Lord of the Flies
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