Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

NAME ______________________________________________________Date ___________________ Hour ____________________________

Key Literary Concepts

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Reading Schedule

DUE BYChapters 1 – 3 (pgs. 7-57) _____________

Chapters 4-8 (pgs. 58-124) _____________

Chapters 9-12 (pgs. 125-202) ______________

* The quizzes on these dates will include questions that assess your knowledge of the academic vocabulary, your comprehension of the plot, and your ability to read and analyze a passage.

TERM DEFINITION Example

third person omniscient narrator

An outside narrator who knows everything that there is to know about the characters and action – this type of narrator can see into the minds of the characters

moodThe feeling(s) or emotions that a story inspires in the reader (how a story makes the reader feel)

foreshadowingGiving the reader a hint or hints of what is to come later in the story

allusion An implicit reference to a historical, literary, or biblical character, event, or element

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parable a brief fictional work that concrete illustrates an abstract idea or teaches some lesson or truth

Example

allegory

Aslan = Christ-like savior

Allegory is a literary device in which characters or events in a literary, visual, or musical art form represent or symbolize ideas and concepts.

imagery words that appeal to one or more of the five senses

symbolA concrete or real thing that represents something beyond itself – a person, place, thing, or object could all act as symbols

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themeA story’s view about life and human behavior (often a universal truth) – an underlying message or idea that the author wants to communicate

Example

settingThe time and place of action in a story

diction

Good word-choice

the author's choice of words or phrases in a literary work

personificationGiving human characteristics to something that is not human

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Christ-like figure

a person who sacrifices him/herself in some way for the redemption of others - a savior

In literature, Biblical allusions are often made. One such allusion is the use of a "Christ-like" figure who sacrifices for others. This is an allusion to the Biblical story of Christ.

Example

original sin the idea that all human beings are born in a state of sin (in Christianity, due to Adam and Eve's original sin) - human beings are all inherently sinful and must be redeemed

In the painting, Eve is shown taking an apple from the snake (who symbolizes Satan). In the story of the Garden of Eden, eating the apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil is known as mankind's "original sin." Because of this original sin, all human beings are inherently sinful.

Example

READING VOCABULARY

Chapter 1 Page Definition: Click on word for further info.

Examples

efflorescence 12 Blooming of flowers, state of flowering

It was clear to the bottom and bright with the efflorescence of tropical weed and coral.

enmity 14 Deep seated hatred; State of being an enemy

He trotted through the sand, ignoring the sun’s enmity…

decorous 15 Exhibiting appropriate behavior or conduct

Suddenly, Piggy was a-bubble with decorous excitement.

chorister 22 A singer or leader of a choir “I ought to be chief…because I’m chapter chorister and head boy.”

bastion 29 A stronghold or fortification; similar to a stronghold

There, where the island petered out of water, was another island; a rock, almost detached, standing like a fort, facing them across the green with one

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bold, pink bastion.

hiatus 31 A gap or interruption in continuity; a break or pause

There came a pause, a hiatus, [and] the pig continued to scream…

 

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Chapter 2 Page  

ebullience 38 Zestful or spirited enthusiasmThen, with the martyred expression of a parent who has to keep up with the senseless ebullience of the children, he picked up the conch…

recrimination 43 The act of accusing in return; opposing another charge

His voice lifted into the whine of virtuous recrimination.

tumult 43 Commotion of a great crowd; disorder

He paused in the tumult, standing, looking beyond them and down…

tirade 45 A long angry or violent speech; a diatribe

By now they were listening to the tirade.

Chapter 3 Page  

oppressive 49 Using power unjustly; burdensome The silence of the forest was more oppressive than the heat…

inscrutable 49 Difficult to understand, mysterious Jack lifted his head and stared at the inscrutable masses of creeper that lay across the trail.

vicissitudes 49 unexpected changes or variations; unexpected changes in life

Jack stood there,…stained by all the vicissitudes of a day’s hunting…

declivities 54 Downward slopes, as of a hill But Jack was pointing to the high declivities that led down from the mountain…

tacit 55 Not spoken; implied by actions or statements

…and by tacit consent they left the shelter and went toward the bathing pool.

Chapter 4 Page  

blatant 58 Totally or offensively obtrusive; very obvious

The glittering sea rose up, moved apart in planes of blatant impossibility…

taboo 62 Excluded or forbidden from use or mention

Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life.

sinewy 64 Lean and muscular; stringy and tough

…his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them.

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malevolently 71 Having an ill will or wishing harm to others; malicious

He looked malevolently at Jack.

Chapter 5 Page  

ludicrous 78 laugibly and obviously absurd; foolish

But Piggy, for all his ludicrous body, had brains.

ineffectual 79 Insufficient to produce an effect; useless

Piggy tiptoed to the triangle, his ineffectual protest made, and joined the others.

jeer 84 to abuse vocally; taunt or mock A sound, half-laugh, half-jeer rose among the seated boys.

inarticulate 89 Incomprehensible; unable to speak with clarity

Simon became inarticulate in his effort to express mankind’s essential illness.

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Chapter 6 Page  

leviathan 105 Something very large; giant sea creature in the Bible

Then the sleeping leviathan breathed out…

clamor 108 A loud outcry; great expression of discontent

The clamor broke out.

mutinously 108 Unruly; insubordinate or constituting a mutiny

Mutinously, the boys fell silent or muttering.

Chapter 7 Page  

crestfallen 117 Dispirited and depressed; dejected “I don’t remember this cliff,” said Jack, crestfallen…

impervious 121 Incapable of being penetrated or affected.

So they sat, the rocking, tapping, impervious Roger and Ralph…

enterprise 122 An undertaking or business organization; industrious

…and the darkness and desperate enterprise gave the night a kind of dentist’s chair unreality…

Chapter 8 Page  

glowered 127 Looked at or stared angrily or sullenly

He glowered under his eyebrows.

rebuke 128 To criticize sharply; check or repress

Piggy gave up the attempt to rebuke Ralph.

demure 133 Modest and reserved in manner or behavior

…they had stood in two demure rows and their voices had been the song of angels…

fervor 133 Great intensity of emotion; intense heat

If Jack was astonished by their fervor he did not show it.

Chapter 9 Page  

corpulent 146 Excessively fatThen, as the blue material of the material collapsed, the corpulent figure would bow forward…

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sauntered 150 To walk at a leisurely pace; stroll …Jack rose from the log that was his throne and sauntered to the edge of the grass.

Chapter 10 Page  

compelled 167 To force or drive; exert a strong, irresistable force on

“We gave them something to think about,” said Sam. Honesty compelled him to go on. “At least you did. I got mixed up with myself in a corner.”

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Chapter 11 Page  

luminous 169 Emitting light; full of lightThe twins watched anxiously as Piggy sat expressionless behind the luminous wall of his myopia.

myopia 169 NearsightednessThe twins watched anxiously as Piggy sat expressionless behind the luminous wall of his myopia.

sniveling 170 To sniffle; complain or whine tearfully

“...So now you speak, Ralph, and tell us what. Or else–“ Piggy broke off, sniveling.

quavered 174 Trembled, or spoke in a trembling voice

“Am I safe?” quavered Piggy. “I feel awful–”

parried 179 Deflected or warded off; avoided He struck in a humming circle behind him and Ralph only just parried the blow.

talisman 180 An object with magical power By him stood Piggy still holding out the talisman, the fragile, shining beauty of the shell.

Chapter 12 Page  

acrid 186 Unpleasantly sharp or bitter taste or smell

He rubbed his cheek along his forearm, smelling the acrid scent of salt and sweat and the staleness of dirt.

cordon 191 A line of people or ships stationed to guard

There he would sit, and the search would pass him by, and the cordon waver on, ululating along the island, and he would be free.

elephantine 194 The size of an elephant; enormous size/strength

Then the red thing was past and the elephantine progress diminished toward the sea.

epaulettes 200 A fringed strap worn on military uniforms

He saw white drill, epaulettes, a revolver, a row of gilt buttons down the front of a uniform.

Source: American Heritage Dictionary; Dictionary.com

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DURING READING ASSIGNMENT: Name ________________________________________ Date _________________ Hour _________Lord of the Flies Chapters 1 - 3 (pgs. 7-57)

DIRECTIONS: As you read, keep track of any questions, confusions, insights (reading between the lines), or connections that you have. Make sure to write them down, along with the page number on which they occurred.

Notes from Class Discuss:

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FOCUS QUESTIONS: What steps do the boys take to try to establish a functioning society? What goals do they set? What

problems do they face?

NOTES / INSIGHTS related to FOCUS QUESTIONS (include page #s)

STEPS THEY TAKE:

GOALS THEY SET:

PROBLEMS FACED:

DURING / AFTER READING ASSIGNMENT:Lord of the Flies: Chapters 1-3

FOCUS QUESTION: What do you notice about these different characters?

Character Ralph Piggy Jack Simon

Direct description of the character - Quote (pg. #)

Actions or behaviors

Paraphrase (pg. #)

Inferences about this character

Symbol or Picture to represent this character

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DISCUSSION: Do you think Golding’s portrayal of the boys’ response to the plane crash and their early efforts/ struggles is realistic? Why or why not?

YES – It’s realistic. NO – It’s not realistic.

DISCUSSION: Do you think it is possible for human beings to build a relatively safe, orderly, non-violent society? If so,

how might we go about it? If not, why not?

YES NO

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DURING READING ASSIGNMENT: Lord of the Flies Chapters 4 – 8 (pgs. 58 – 124)

DIRECTIONS: As you read, keep track of any questions, confusions, insights (reading between the lines), or connections that you have. Make sure to write them down, along with the page number on which they occurred.

Notes from Class Discuss:

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FOCUS QUESTION # 1: In what ways do the boys begin to descend into savagery? Track textual details below.

FOCUS QUESTION# 2: Discuss how the boys are motivated by fear. What is Golding trying to say about the connection between fear, ignorance, and evil?

DURING / AFTER READING ASSIGNMENT: Lord of the Flies: Chapters 4 - 8

FOCUS QUESTION: In what ways do these objects function as symbols within the novel?

Symbol The conch (shell) The fire The island The pig’s head The spectacles

Two direct quotes related to this theme / concept

INCLUDE PAGE NUMBERS

1.

2.

1.

2.

1.

2.

1.

2.

1.

2.

How do the boys use or respond to this item? Include 2+ ideas for each item.

What concept(s) do you think the item symbolizes and why?

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DISCUSSION: In your opinion, who would be the BEST and most effective leader: Ralph, Jack, Simon, or Piggy? List at least two arguments that support your choice.

DISCUSSION: Conservative philosopher and politician Edmund Burke argued that Christianity was "man's greatest good” and that religion helped “established order to be the fundamental of civilization." Burke believed that religion provided the civilizing underpinning of society, regardless of the individual's particular denomination. Burke suggested that society needed strong controlling institutions to keep man from falling into a state of anarchy or chaos. Obviously, Golding’s work echos many of Burke’s ideas. Do you think that Golding’s vision of human nature is too conservative, or do you think it is fairly accurate?

Too Skeptical of Human Nature / Too Conservative Accurate

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DURING READING ASSIGNMENT: Lord of the Flies Chapters 9 - 12 (pgs. 125 – 202)

DIRECTIONS: As you read, keep track of any questions, confusions, insights (reading between the lines), or connections that you have. Make sure to write them down, along with the page number on which they occurred.

Notes from Class Discuss:

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FOCUS QUESTION # 1: What is symbolic or meaningful about the deaths that occur in Chapters 9 & 10?

FOCUS QUESTION# 2: In Chapter 12, what parallels does Golding draw between the life of the boys on the island and the adult world?

Lord of the Flies: Chapters 9-12

FOCUS QUESTION: In what ways are these themes or concepts developed throughout the novel?

Theme / Concept civilization vs. savagery

loss of innocence innate (inborn) evil in all humans

Two direct quotes or paraphrases related to this theme / concept

INCLUDE PAGE NUMBERS

What do you think Golding is trying to say to us? What message is trying to get across about human life and existence?

How might this theme still hold true in our world? Can you make any connections to the modern world or to history?

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FINAL DISCUSSION

What is Golding trying to say about human nature?

What is he trying to say about human civilization?

What is your evaluation of Golding’s message? In what ways do you agree? Disagree? In what ways do you think Golding’s characterization of human nature and civilization is accurate? In what ways is

his portrayal inaccurate?

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