Understanding Conflict in Symbols and Theme

With examples from Lord of the Flies

Objective1. To better understand how conflict

helps us more clearly see symbols and themes in the story.

2. To form one idea of conflict that I will use in my paper.

Conflict

• What is conflict?

Conflict

• What is conflict

?

• Conflict is the tension of the story.

• Conflict consists of two opposing sides that are against each other.

• Not only concrete things like people or armies, but also abstract things like ideas and themes can be in conflict.

Quick Interruption: Paper Choices

• Quick: what are

your three topic

choices for your paper?

Quick Interruption: Paper Choices

• Quick: what are

your three topic

choices for your paper?

1. What are some of Golding’s themes in his book Lord of the Flies?

2. What are some key symbols the author uses?

3. Trace the idea of the beast from beginning to end.

So . . .• Let’s see how paying attention to

conflict in the story will help us more clearly identify the key symbols, themes and the beast and explain them in our paper.

• As you will see, all three topic choices are closely related, and you can pull out ideas from each one—so pay attention to all the slides!

Symbol

• Review: remember last week we learned that a symbol is something that ____________ something else.

Symbol

• Review: remember last week we learned that a symbol is something that ____________ something else.

• A symbol is something that represents something else.

Symbols in Conflict in the Story

Symbols in Conflict in the Story

Authority (Theme)

Symbols in Conflict in the Story

Ralph, Piggy, Sam, Eric

Authority (Theme)

Symbols in Conflict in the Story

Ralph, Piggy, Sam, Eric

Authority Authority Jack, Roger, the

hunters.

(Theme)

The Lord of the Flies skull “gleamed as white as ever the conch had done” (185).

Symbols in Conflict in the Story

Ralph, Piggy, Sam, Eric

Authority Authority Jack, Roger, the

hunters.

(Theme)

The Lord of the Flies skull “gleamed as white as ever the conch had done” (185).

Symbols in Conflict in the Story

Ralph, Piggy, Sam, Eric

Authority Authority Jack, Roger, the

hunters.

Rules, civilized order, respect for others

Anarchy, no rules, animalistic

(Theme)

The Lord of the Flies skull “gleamed as white as ever the conch had done” (185).

Theme in Conflict in the Story

Nature

Theme in Conflict in the Story

Nature (Theme)

The impact crater of the plane on the land is described as “a scar.”

Theme in Conflict in the Story

We are formed by nature and biology.

Nature influences us more than people.

Nature (Theme)

The impact crater of the plane on the land is described as “a scar.”

Theme in Conflict in the Story

We are formed by nature and biology. Nature influences us more than people.

Nature Nurture(Theme)

The impact crater of the plane on the land is described as “a scar.”

We are formed by our parents and society. People influence us more than nature.

The Beast in Conflict in the Story

Savage, fear, unreality, disorder

The Beast in Conflict in the Story

Savage, fear, unreality, disorder

People, civilization, society

(Theme)

The Beast in Conflict in the Story

Savage, fear, unreality, disorder

People, civilization, society

(Theme)

Jack and Ralph mistake the dead parachute soldier as the beast; the boys mistake Simon for the beast and kill him; Simon believes people are the real beasts.

The Beast in Conflict in the Story

Savage, fear, unreality, disorder

People, civilization, society

(Theme)

Jack and Ralph mistake the dead parachute soldier as the beast; the boys mistake Simon for the beast and kill him; Simon believes people are the real beasts.

Although we like to think ourselves as civilized, people are by nature cruel and we need laws to govern us. We

are the beasts!

Conflict in Your Paper• You may wish to discuss conflict in your

paper. Therefore, you already have 4 of your 5 paragraphs outlined! Look:I. Intro – comparing the symbols in conflictII. Side #1 (ex, the conch)III. Side #2 (ex., the Lord of the Flies)IV. ??V. Conclusion

Do Now . . .• Chart – Now it is your turn to

complete the conflict chart before you – any square that you did not complete yet.

• Paper – brainstorm one idea of conflict that you can use for your paper, whether you chose topic (1) theme, (2) symbols, or (3) the beast.