'Things are breaking up. I don't

understand why'

Explore the ways in which Golding presents the theme of degeneration in Lord of

the Flies

How?Foreshadowing at the start of the novel: Has Ralph already

degenerated?

The character of Jack

The assembliesThe death of Simon

Symbolism

Description of island/weather

Foreshadowing at the start of the novel: Has Ralph already degenerated?

The character of Jack

The assemblies

The death of Simon

SymbolismDescription of island/weather

The ending: They are not ‘recued at all’

Character of Jack

Symbol of the conch

Death of Simon

From the very opening pages of the novel, it is clear that Golding is

suggesting that the character of Ralph has already degenerated towards

savagery and away from the customs and conventions of civilisation.

The changing character of Jack is vital to our understanding of degeneration

in the novel.

The slow, gradual and dramatic degeneration of the assemblies is

crucial to our understanding of the text and Golding’s methods.

Ralph waved the conch. “Shut up!

Wait! Listen!”

Jack seized the conch.

Piggy cradled the conch.

"Piggy and Ralph, under the threat of the sky, found themselves eager to take place in this demented but partly secure society. They were glad to touch the brown backs of the fence that hemmed in the terror and made it governable."

"Piggy and Ralph, under the threat of the sky, found themselves

eager to take place in this demented but partly secure society.

They were glad to touch the brown backs of the fence that hemmed in the terror and made it governable."

"Piggy and Ralph, under the threat of the sky, found themselves eager to take place in this

demented but partly secure society. They were glad to touch the brown backs of the fence that hemmed in the terror and made it governable."

"Piggy and Ralph, under the threat of the sky, found themselves eager to take place in this

demented but partly secure society. They were glad to touch the brown backs of the fence that hemmed in the terror and made it governable."

Structural Awareness

• This book is 225 pages long.

• You need to show that you are aware of how Golding parallels events to show the changes in the boys.

• How is he using mirrored events and descriptions to illustrate degeneration?

“And another thing. We can’t have everybody talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school.”

He held the conch before his face and glanced round the mouth.

“Then I’ll give him the conch.”“Conch?”“That’s what this shell’s called. I’ll give the conch to the

next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking.”[…]Jack was on his feet.“We’ll have rules!” he cried excitedly. “Lots of rules! Then

when anyone breaks ‘em - ”

p. 31-2 – Jack’s initial reaction to the idea of rules.

p.99 – Beast from Water

“The rules!” shouted Ralph, “you’re breaking the rules!”“Who cares?”Ralph summoned his wits.“Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got!”But Jack was shouting against him.“Bollocks to the rules! We’re strong – we hunt! If there’s

a beast, we’ll hunt it down! We’ll close in and beat and beat and beat -!”

He gave a wild whoop and leapt down to the pale sand.

“We’ll have rules!” he cried excitedly. “Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks

‘em - ”

“Bollocks to the rules! “

What is GOLDING doing?

Topic sentences

Unpack the quote

Focus on individual words

Look for alternative meanings

“The shell was interesting and

pretty and a worthy plaything.”

What are you writing towards?