© Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 23 Lord of the Flies by William Golding Section Two 1 of 23 © Boardworks Ltd 2006 These icons indicate that teacher’s notes

© Boardworks Ltd 20061 of 23

Lord of the Fliesby William Golding

Section Two

1 of 23 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

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Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Contents (click to go straight to each chapter)


Chapter Five summary


An allegory is a story with a hidden meaning under its surface, often about politics or

morality.

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.

Allegory


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.

Symbolism

= =


As the leader, Ralph has tried to establish a civilized and fairway of life on the island by putting rules in place. However,he recognizes that things are not going to plan:

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’?

“Things are breaking up. I don’t understand why. We began

well; we were happy. And then – “

Ralph’s speech


In the hotseat


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).

Diary


True or false?


Chapter Six summary


How does Golding portray Sam and Eric?

What are Sam and Eric’s relationships with the other characters?

Sam and Eric are minor characters but are involved in important events in the novel.

Is this an accurate account? Why do you think they describe the beast like this?

Look again at the twins’ account of their sighting ofthe beast.

Sam and Eric


What moment in Chapter Six shows that Jack is rejecting the values of order and democracy?

What is Simon’s reaction to Sam and Eric’s account of their sighting of the beast?

Why do Ralph and Jack clash again when they are out searching for the beast?

Chapter Six questions


Chapter Seven summary


Think back to Golding’s description of the island in ChapterOne. Now read again the description of the tail end ofthe island which the boys explore in Chapter Seven.

Boys’ side of the island Other side of the island

How is this side of the island different to the part of the island where the boys live?

Cold ocean waterHard horizon

How do the different surroundings and atmosphere of this side of the island make Ralph feel?

Palm terraceStill lagoon

The other side of the island


Ralph, Jack and Piggy


Chapter Eight summary


After an ongoing struggle for authority, Jack revolts againstRalph and the boys split into two definite groups:

Group 1 Group 2

Ralph, Piggy andSam and Eric

Jack, Roger and the hunters

What does Group 1have that Group 2 want?

Which group would you rather be in?Think about the benefits and the downsides of belonging to each group.

And what will they useto get it?

Pro: have fireCon: no good

hunters so lackof food

Pro: no rules orresponsibilities

Con: fearsome leader

Jack versus Ralph


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 thereanything he could have done differently as the leader?

Look at the way Jack talks to his tribe.

Add to your table of Ralph’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader.

Jack versus Ralph


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?

What could this conversation be foreshadowing?

You’re not wanted.

Don’t try to escape!

We shalldo you.

I’m the Beast.

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:

What has Simon come to realize about ‘the beast’?

“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?”



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.



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 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 characterSimon becomes a Christ-like figure.

The island represents theGarden of Eden.

Religious symbolism


Who said it?

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© Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 23 Lord of the Flies by William Golding Section Two 1 of 23 © Boardworks Ltd 2006 These icons indicate that teacher’s notes