‘Lord of the Flies’

by William Golding:Chapter 1

Lesson Objectives:•To recognise the context of the novel •to explore characters•to identify the key features of language and explain their effect on the reader

Look at the images carefully. These all relate to the novel.How? Think for 1 minute then discuss with the person next to you.

Title Translation“Beelzebub” a Hebrew word forLUCIFERHowever, the literal translation of “Beelzebub”into English is LORD OF THE FLIES

Who was William Golding? Born 19th September 1911,

died 19th June 1993 ‘Lord of the Flies’ is his

most famous novel He studied Natural Sciences

and English Literature at Oxford University

He was in the Royal Navy in WW2 and took part in the sinking of the German battleship the Bismarck

After the war he was a teacher before his writing career took off.

As a child, Golding had witnessed WWI, which was referred to as “the war to end all wars”

HOWEVER,22 years later Britain was

again involved in ANOTHER WAR to end all wars, which

caused more devastation than was imaginable

On Writing Lord of the Flies

“It was simply what seemed sensible for me to write after the war when everyone was thanking God they weren’t Nazis. I’d seen enough to realize that every single one of us could be Nazis.” --William Golding

‘Lord of the Flies’ ‘Lord of the Flies’ has been published in many

different editions. Look at the cover you have been given and

think about: What aspect of the story do you think is

emphasises? Does it give you any clues about where and

when (in history) it is set? Does it tell you anything about the characters?

Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell This is an important chapter as we

… Meet the boys Get an idea about the island The boys pick a leader

Ralph & Piggy

Ralph: “fair hair” “bright excited eyes”

Piggy: “knees were plump” “shorter than the fair

boy and very fat”

Using chapter 1, find as many quotes as you can to describe Ralph and Piggy.

Record your quotes side by side to highlight the differences between them.

Ralph & Piggy: language Piggy’s working class status in comparison to

Ralph’s middle class status is made clear from the start of the chapter.

This is done through his incorrect use of English grammar, for example:

“all themthem other kids”“We waswas attacked”

“When we waswas coming down I looked”

“It wasn’t halfwasn’t half dangerous with all themthem tree trunks falling”“Can’t catch meme breath”

I jus’ don’t talk I jus’ don’t talk proper like all proper like all

them other boys them other boys do!”do!”

Exam style Question: What does Piggy's use of language

suggest about: His status at home His status on the island His status amongst the other boys?

Support your ideas with references to the text and explain your ideas fully.

‘Lord of the Flies’

by William Golding:Chapter 1

Lesson Objectives:• to identify key descriptions of setting and consider their impact on the reader•to explore symbolism

The Island What are your first impressions of the island? How do the boys react to the island? Find quotes to support your ideas.

Utopia? Dystopia?

An imaginary place where everything is as bad as it possibly can be.

An ideal and perfect place or state where everyone lives in harmony and everything is for the best. Why have I

introduced

this term?

The conch is a symbol of order

Whoever has the conch, speaksRalph is the first to make a sound with the conch

Who blows it first? How does it make him

feel? How does it affect the

other boys?

Look at pages 11-13 (in this edition )

Write down the words and phrases used to describe it by: Piggy Ralph The writer

The arrival of the choir Look again at the

description of the arrival of Jack and the choir, page 15 (“Within the diamond haze of the beach …”)

Answer this question as a mini-essay, using the PEE paragraph structure to support your ideas.

Time limit: 5 minutes

What impression does the reader get of Jack from this section of the novel?

What might happen? Jack says he will be the leader, but the

other boys choose Ralph.What might this lead to?Explain this scene as an example of

foreshadowing in the novel, in your book.

Chapter 1 revision1. How is Ralph described?

2. How is Jack described? Consider how this can be symbolic.

3. How is Piggy described?

4. How do they contrast?

5. What role does the conch play?

6. How is Simon introduced?

7. Why is Jack reluctant to kill the pig – the deeper reason?

8. *What is the effect of the dash, as used in specific instances in this chapter? (Cite at least one ex.)

Homework: Complete the Chapter 1 questions. Due: next lesson