lord of the flies william golding. do we learn evil? are we born essentially evil or
TRANSCRIPT
DO WE LEARN EVIL?
ARE WE BORN ESSENTIALLY EVIL OR
"For his novels which, with the perspicuity of realistic narrative art and the diversity and universality of myth, illuminate the human condition in the world of today"
Historical content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5cFxv6V9XM
Iron Maiden’s Lord of the Flies
References
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.foothilltech.org/rgeib/english/lotf/symbolism-characters.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.foothilltech.org/rgeib/english/lotf/essay/&h=778&w=1100&sz=254&tbnid=4l7BQqIrH9if7M:&tbnh=116&tbnw=164&zoom=1&usg=__ued1RdZi6sS6YIgB8YB2Q5E6-Nk=&docid=JrQFZRaMt5mDxM&sa=X&ei=Aw6BUoKdGujyyAH024HgBA&ved=0CC8Q9QEwAg
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Personal notes c/lesson planscq
PLEASE NOTE
Page numbers may not match due to different book editions
Garden of Eden –untouched beautypp.6-7
Setting: Garden of Eden-Mirage
1. Lagoon, coral reef, p.31check pages
2. Scar / Conch p.16 & p.18 - freedom of speech
3. “ bath of heat”, “heat hit him”
4. Creepers 5. “...a bird, a vision of red and
yellow, flashed upwards with a witch-like cry...”
6. Undergrowth 7. Island, sea, reef,
shimmering water
Contrast Foreshadowing
Enchanted Island p.7
8. No adults - Where is man with trumpet?
9. Passenger tube dragged out to sea - storm - “kids still in it”
10. Shore lined with palm trees, jungle
11. Darkness under trees 12. Platform of pink
granite parliamentary order - democracy
No adults! Piggy showed Ralph how to blow conch
What appears to be and what is…
IMPORTANT Enchanted Island p.13 Mirages p.27, pink icing on
a cake, mountain “ High over this end of the
island, the shattered rocks lifted up their stacks and chimneys... p.29 The great rock loitered ...p.30
Boat-shaped p.31 Scar Gash visible in the trees
- scar and sea insect like figures
1. 2. 3. 4.
Mirage Compare to Fah.451 and “Oedipus”
The Scar
Passenger tube dragged out to sea - storm - “kids still in it”
Discuss ending of chapter 1
Conflict The scar
Comparison to similar symbols
1. 2. 3.
1. 2. 3.
Fah.451 “Oedipus Rex”
Beautiful, Enchanted , Pure, Untouched
Welcome to The Island
Chapter 1
The Sound of the Shell
Ch. 1
Golding’s Summary
An airplane crashed on an island. There is a boy called Ralph, who survived the crash. He also meets just right after the beginning of the book a boy, who will be called “Piggy” (due to his body stature).
The two of them continue to wander around and eventually find the beach. Ralph takes a shell and with a certain technique, this shell makes a loud sound so that maybe other people will hear him. This was all Piggy’s idea.
Many children hear Ralph and they all gather at Ralph’s place. There seem to be no adults. The children vary strongly in age. Some are as young as six years whereas the oldest are something with twelve (Ralph is twelve).One of the older children, who also is a leader of a choir, has the name Merridew, who acts somewhat noble. Ralph proposes that someone should be their leader and there is a vote between him and Merridew, where Ralph will be the leader, finally.
Ralph decides to inspect the island if it really is an island. With him come Merridew and a younger boy called Simon. Piggy also wants to come with them and he tells Ralph that he does not want to be called like this. Ralph understands him, but he says that everyone has his name and that it will not change.
They continue their journey through the island and finally realize that in fact, it is an island. Ralph suggests going over the mountain back to their original place, as he thinks it might be a shortcut. The climbing seems to be quite hard and the jungle becomes denser and denser. But after some time, climbing up the mountain becomes easier and on the top of the mountain, they have a great view over some parts of the island.
On their way down the mountain, they first realize that they are actually very hungry. They spot a pig, who was caught in a curtain of creepers and was desperately trying to escape. Merridew instinctively takes out his pocket knife and wants to stab the pig to death, but he hesitates, because he realized, what he was actually going to do. The pig finally escapes. The three of them return to their original place, where everyone else was already waiting.
Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell Ch 1: Write title and explain significance. 1. What is Ralph's attitude toward Piggy in the first chapter? 2. What is the significance of Piggy's plea to join the
expedition? 3. Why is Ralph elected chief? 4. What is the scar that is repeatedly mentioned? 5. Why is Jack unable to kill the pig? 6. What do Piggy, Simon and the littl’un with the birthmark
have in common? 7. How is Jack presented to the reader? 8. Why did Golding use British schoolboys? 9. How is Piggy shown as relating to the world of adults? 10. How is Piggy indirectly responsible for the blowing of the
conch?
Chapter 1: Quotes
“They’re all dead....We may stay here until we die...” p.9- Piggy
“ We can use this to call the others. Have A meeting. They’ll come when they hear us” p.12 Piggy’s intelligence
“ I was with him when he found the conch. I was with him before anyone else was.” Jack and the others paid no attention to Piggy. p.21
“This belongs to us” p.26 Ralph “ Eyes shining, mouths open, triumphant, they savoured
the right of domination… were lifted up: were friends”p.27 “They knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the
enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood.” p.29
Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain
“You’ve got you small fire all right.” - “...a quarter of a mile of forest was savage with smoke and flame. The separate noises of the mountain merged into a drum roll that seemed to shake the mountain”
Ch. 2
Golding’s Summary
A meeting was called with the conch shell again. After the meeting, they decided on making a big fire on the platform, so a passing ship could see them and they might be rescued. Up there on the mountain, they all gathered some woods, so they are able to make a fire. They still were in a need of something that could light the logs. They took Piggy’s glasses, even though he didn’t want to give it first, and they made a fire. Accidentally, the fire found its way off the platform and part of the forest started to burn. They all went away, but Piggy was the only one who noticed that a “littlun” wasn’t here. The reader does not know what has happened to the small boy, but he is assumed to have died, because he probably remained in the small part of the forest when everyone was looking for burnable logs.
Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain
11.Write title and explain significance.
12. What question does the littl’ un with the birthmark raise?
13. How do Ralph and Jack answer the question about the beast?
Responsibility of leadership: “ We want to have fun. And we want to be rescued.” Must have fire, must be rescued-need fire patrol.
“ I agree with Ralph. We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all we’re not savages. We’re English; and the English are the best at everything. So we’ve got to do the right things.”Jack
Questions Quotes
Chapter 2: Quotes & Characters Ralph: discovers he can “talk
fluently... we’re on a island...uninhabited.”
No grown -ups /have to look after ourselves- “This is our island. It is a good island. Until the grown-ups come to fetch us we’ll have fun.”
*Responsibility of leadership: “ We want to have fun. And we want to be rescued.” Must have fire, must be rescued-need fire patrol
Conch: Anyone who has it has freedom of speech-empowered but Does not count on mountaintop! p.46 - Jack Ralph- where the conch is , that’s a meeting p.47
Jack: hunting-pigs on island - we need hunters and meat p.36/ ** denies existence of beastie but if it does exist we’ll hunt it and kill
it-Rules:* “ I agree with Ralph. We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all we’re not savages. We’re English; and the English are the best at everything. So we’ve got to do the right things.”
Offers to split up choir - hunters and fire patrollers and lookout - rescue
Piggy: fearful and aware of predicament - “The plane was shot down in flames. Nobody knows we are. We may be here a long time.”/
Sees kids as kids: totally immature and irresponsible - running in all directions to make fire./ You’ve got you small fire all right.” - “...a quarter of a mile of forest was savage with smoke and flame. The separate noises of the mountain merged into a drum roll that seemed to shake the mountain”
Loses temper after they set island on fire- Read pp.49-50 / points out they need shelters and list of children’s names
Child with mulberry-colored birthmark: introduces idea snake-like thing, beastie, nightmare
Fire: Note: Jack and Ralph p.44/Treatment of Piggy and his spectacles pp.44-45 discuss importance
Chapter 3: Huts on the beach Carrying a stick sharpened into a makeshift spear, Jack trails a pig through the thick jungle, but
it evades him Ralph and Simon at work building huts for the younger boys to live in. Ralph is irritated because
the huts keep falling down before they are completed and because, though the huts are vital to the boys’ ability to live on the island, none of the other boys besides Simon will help him.
Ralph points out that Jack’s hunters have failed to catch a single pig. Jack claims that although they have so far failed to bring down a pig, they will soon have more success and notes the boys want meat.
Beastie introduces: Ralph also worries about the smaller children, many of whom have nightmares and are unable to sleep. He tells Jack about his concerns, but Jack, still trying to think of ways to kill a pig, is not interested in Ralph’s problems.
Ralph, annoyed that Jack, like all the other boys, is unwilling to work on the huts, implies that Jack and the hunters are using their hunting duties as an excuse to avoid the real work.
Conflict intensifying: Jack and Ralph continue to argue and grow increasingly hostile toward each other. Hoping to regain their sense of camaraderie, they go swimming together in the lagoon, but their feelings of mutual dislike remain and fester.
In the meantime, Simon wanders through the jungle alone. He helps some of the younger boys—whom the older boys have started to call “littluns”—reach fruit hanging from a high branch. He walks deeper into the forest and eventually finds a thick jungle glade, a peaceful, beautiful open space full of flowers, birds, and butterflies. Simon looks around to make sure that he is alone, then sits down to take in the scene, marveling at the abundance and beauty of life that surrounds him. Simon reflects innate goodness
Chapter 3: Huts on the beach
14.Write title and explain significance.
15. What two groups are emerging and how do their goals differ?
16. Why does Simon go to his retreat?
1. “He tried to convey the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up.”
2. “The madness came into his eyes again.”p.51
3. “I thought I might kill.”p.51 4. “ Now the antagonism was audible.”
p.52 5.“ They were both red in the face and found looking at each other difficult.”p.52
6. “ If you’re hunting sometimes you catch yourself feeling as if--”...But you can feel as if you’re not hunting, but - being hunted; as if something’s behind you in the jungle.” p.53
* 7. “They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to communicate.” p.56
Questions Quotes
Chapter 4
At the beach, they see a passing ship. Everyone is very excited about to be rescued, but Ralph and the others realize that the fire isn’t burning (even though two boys always have to watch after it).
They hurry up the mountain to light it again, but at that time, the ship already passed and was out of sight. Just after this, Jack and some other buys who were hunting with him came back and Jack gloriously told Ralph, Piggy and the others that they killed a pig. Ralph is not interested in this, because he accuses Jack of not taking care of the fire. Jack repeats that he killed a pig and they have now meat to eat, but he becomes soon mad and angry and destroys Piggy’s glasses partly (only one side remained). This is also a symbol of the regress in their morality. He apologizes to Ralph, but not to Piggy. At first, Jack doesn’t want to give Piggy some of the meat, but does afterwards. The chapter ends with Ralph wanting to call an assembly once again.
Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair
16: Write title and explain significance.
17. Why does Roger, throwing stones at the littl’ uns, aim to miss?
18. Why does Jack refuse to give Piggy meat?
QuestionsJack planned his new face, p. 66 BUT
This is actually Roger from the movie!
Quotes
1. “ By the time the pile was built, they were on different side of a high barrier... N ot even Ralph knew how a link between him and Jack had been snapped and fastened elsewhere.”p.79
2. “ He accepted a piece of half-raw meat and gnawed it like a wolf”
3. “ I painted my face-I stole up. Now you eat- all of you and I”- p.78
4. “ Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Bash her in.”
Read pp.72-80 : Ralph vs Jack discuss in terms of power struggle and overall significance to the plot/ Resolution p.79 Issue of who eats meat and note the way meat is eaten by boys / Jack is enraged p.81
Ship Hunting vs Fire/shelters
Quotes Reread & Note
Recap:
Conch Fire versus
Hunting Roll Call Shelters Lavatory area
Jack has knife and carries stick
Hunters Piggy’s glasses
broken Little’un dead
Rules and Order ( Ralph)
Hanging on to civilizationLosing civilization…
Chapter 5: Transition???
Little’uns-nightmares
Fear at night –fun during the day
Beast from the air. Discuss
Decline in civilization
Proper English schoolboys
Painted faces, long hair ( except Piggy)
Nakedness Hunting
Beast Fear introduced -Tribal
Chapter 5 Beast from the WaterBoys realize evil is present on the island. Question is - where is it? Simon and Piggy suggest evil is within the boys themselves!
Ralph’s alone on the beach, planning his speech for the next assembly. He realized that there need to be more strict rules and that there is more order. It is then, when the reader realizes real leader qualities in him. He recognizes Piggy’s logical approach in thinking and goes through his new rules. Then, he calls the others with his conch shell.
At the assembly, he outlines the following points:
The fire is always to be on and to be taken care of.
Individual fires are forbidden. If one needs fire, then he will have to go up to the signal fire.
There is a special spot, where one has to pee etc.
Everyone has to help to make the shelters.
There is no beast on the island.
It is noticeable that the fire is the most important point. Otherwise, they can’t be rescued. But the discussion soon is only about the imaginary “beastie”. The littluns are very afraid of it and thus, reinforcing the fear in the bigger ones.
Piggy arguments in a very logical way, telling them, that it is all only in their heads and that there cannot be any supernatural monsters. Jack is also against the idea of such a thing, but his approach is much more irrational and emotional and not at all logically argued.
Ralph loses control when Jack starts to talk without holding the conch shell and goes away with his hunters to the beach and the whole assembly fails. Ralph loses his inner will to go on. But Simon and Piggy encourage him to go on, because Simon knows if Jack would become the leader of them, they will never be rescued and there will only be hunters on the island, living a very primitive live. Piggy knows that Jack hates him (but he does not know why) and fears that he will die one day, because of Jack. Ralph is the only one who has gained the Jack’s respect and stands above him. One consequence is that Piggy is the next one to be made down by Jack.
Questions
Define paradox
Example: given by class:
If one thing is certain it is that everything is uncertain. If this statement is true, it is also false!
Ch. 5: Write title and explain significance.
19. What is the paradox of the boy's attitude toward the beast?
20. Why does Ralph call a meeting? 21.Why does Piggy dissuade Ralph from giving up his position as chief?
22. How do Ralph and Jack answer the question about the beast?
23. How do they start the fire?
Quotes for discussion
If faces were different when lit from above or below - what was a face? What was anything?
“We’ve got to have smoke up there - or die”
“ Things are breaking up. I don’t understand why. We began well; we were happy. And then --------” ( Golding, p.87)
Connect quotes to elements
1. “ By the time the pile was built, they were on different side of a high barrier... Not even Ralph knew how a link between him and Jack had been snapped and fastened elsewhere.”
2. “ He accepted a piece of half-raw meat and gnawed it like a wolf”
3. “ I painted my face-I stole up. Now you eat- all of you and I”- p.78
4. “ Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Bash her in.” p.79
THE BEASTIE THE SNAKE THE FIRE THE TALK OF FEAR
Read and discuss pp.90-91 “ ‘You have doctors for everything, even the inside
of your mind. You don’t really mean that we got to be frightened all the time o nothing? Life,’ said Piggy expansively, is scientific, that’s what it is. In a year or two when the war’s over they’ll be traveling to Mars and back, I know there’s isn’t no beast - not with claws and all that, I mean- but I know there isn’t no fear either ’ ” ( Golding, p.92)
Discuss: Is life scientific? Does fear exist?
Continued…
Unless we are frightened of people’ ” ( Piggy’s words, p.90)
“ ‘... I saw something big and horrid moving in
the trees’ ” Simon believes that “maybe there is a beast” “What I mean is... maybe it’s only us”
( Golding, p.96) Simon became “Inarticulate to express
mankind’s essential illness...” ( Golding, p.96).
Chapter6: Beast from the Air
Sam and Eric are on duty this night and watching the fire. Suddenly, they see something (a dead body falls from the sky - died in the Second World War) and their fear lets them instantly think it must be the beast. They run away down to the beach and wake up Ralph and tell him about the latest happening on the island. Ralph, Sam and Eric wake up the other ones to have another assembly.
They try to think of a place, where the beast would potentially hide. They agree that it must be in the one single part on the island that was left unexplored. They soon reach the end of the island and this place, armed with wooden weapons. Piggy was the only one to remain at the beach to watch the littluns. They reach a thin walkway that leads to a hill with small caves there.
They all are terrified by the idea of going nearer and watching out for the beast. Ralph, as the leader of the group, decides to go there and investigate this place. Jack accompanies him. But they don’t find a beast there and declare this place as safe.
When they return the other ones were doing random things and want to build a fort, but Ralph angrily reminds them that they have to lit the signal fire again on the top of the mountain.
Beast from the Air
However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick (p. 112).
Questions and Quotes
Ch.6: Write title and explain significance.
24. What is the irony of the dead parachutist landing on the island?
25. Why is Simon the only one to doubt the existence of the beast. Reread pertinent passage in novel ( p. 112 ).
26. Why do Ralph and Jack both insist in going after the beast?
27. Why does Jack say they do not need the conch anymore?
Simon walked in front of Ralph, felt a flicker of incredulity-a beast with claws that scratched, that sat on a mountain top, that left no tracks and yet was not fast enough to catch Samneric. However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick (p. 112).
Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees
The boys are on their way back to the beach. But Jack still wants to climb the mountain, because he thinks the beast most be hiding there. Jack does not obey Ralph's orders and the struggle of power between them becomes more and more evident. Ralph then goes with Jack to, accompanied by Roger.
When they finally reach the mountain it is already dark and they barely see anything. They hear some strangely sounding noises and also see an unidentifiable silhouette. They think it must be the beast they see, but actually, it is just the dead body from the previous chapter...
Questions and things to note: Ch. 7: Write title and
explain significance. 28. Why does Simon
tell Ralph that "you" will get back all right?
29. What happens when Ralph wounds the boar?
30. What does Ralph ask Jack?
31. Why do the boys run from the dead parachutist?
Contrast: Cleanness [Ralph] and Dirt [Hunters]
Ralph spears boar. Read p.124
Quotes Simon:“ All the same. You’ll get back all
right. I think so, anyway. ” ( Golding, p.122) “ No, I’m not. I just think you’ll get back all
right.” (Golding, p.122) Ralph: “ Ralph was full of fright and apprehension
and pride.” ( Golding, p.124 ) “He sunned himself in their new respect
and felt hunting was good after all.” (p.124) “ I hit him,” said Ralph indignantly. “ I hit
him with my spear, wounded him.” (p.124) “ Why do you hate me?” (p.125) ** “ A stain of darkness, a stain that was
Jack, detached itself and began to draw away...The stain had vanished. ” (p.133)
What is normal? Brainstorm Ralph remember s home life: List memories
and discuss significance Ralph and Jack ------------> escalating
conflict p.133
Foreshadowing
Conflict
? Discuss
Shadows and trees
U2 shadows and tall trees song
Chapter8:*A Gift for the Darkness
Jack leaves Ralph's group and goes to a place down the beach. He invites everyone to attend his "party" or feast, as it is called in the book, because there will be meat.
Ralph, Piggy, Simon and all the others start to build a new signal fire at the beach. Simon doesn't remain long and goes into the jungle without anyone noticing him. And steadily the other boys leave Ralph and Piggy and go all to Jack's place.
Meanwhile, Jack and a few other boys went into the jungle to hunt. They come across a fat mother pig and chase it until they kill it. Roger even sticks his spear right up the pig's behind. They separate the body from the head and the head, sticking on the spear, is placed into the ground. They call it "a gift for the darkness" in hope the beast won't attack them. It is also a sign of worshipping.The boys realize that they don't have fire. So they go back to Ralph and simply some burning logs of his signal fire. Jack also holds a short speech that they have meat, the hunters can protect them and so on. In the end, everyone, including Ralph and Piggy is at Jack's place and it becomes obvious that Jack has become the new leader.
Simon also leaves the working boys, but he didn't go to Jack's place. He goes into the jungle and after some while, he meets the pig's head, sticking on the top of the spear. Suddenly, the head starts to talk to him and the reader figures out that the pig's head is the symbol for the Lord of the Flies. After the disturbing talk, Simon loses consciousness.
*A Gift for the Darkness
Ch.8: Write title and explain significance.
32. Why do the boys refuse to vote for Jack but slip off to join him later?
33. What does Jack tell his new tribe?
34. Why is the killing of the sow discussed in such detail? Is this the climax of the novel? Support answer.
Simon’s encounter with Lord of Flies Reread: Page but numbers may
not coincide due to different book editions they will be within a few pages of each other!
Simon’s Encounter on page 158: Visualization: buzzing of flies over
subjects, spilled guts p.151- primitive Stick = terror Introduction of thunder in setting -
think of Shakespeare and Julius Caesar.
QUOTES & NOTES:
“Yes, the beast is a hunter...”p.139 -discuss- predator vs prey
Jack: “ He was happy and wore the damp darkness of the forest like his old clothes. He crept down a slope to rocks and scattered tree by the sea.” p.147
If Simon had been with them, would problem of beast been solved?
Conflict between Ralph and Jack - a power struggle
Jack believes Ralph is not a proper Chief- pp. 140- 141
P. 147 - Jack tells followers to forget the beast
1. Castle Rock - new home 2. Slaughter a pig -
celebration - dance - feast
Quotes and Notes:
Savagery of the Kill. Read and discuss terms of literary elements: setting, mood, atmosphere, contrast, war imagery, disintegration into primitivism, symbolism
* “ Sharpen a stick at both ends.”
P.151-152
Note: Only Piggy has intellectual daring to move fire from the mountain
Day versus night reflects inner state of being pp.143-144
First time Piggy lights fire p.144 Simon’s encounter with Lord of
the Flies 1. Head of sow - gift for beast. 2. Note: setting, imagery,
conflict, mood - theme Discuss theme, foreshadowing,
climax controversy, presence of evil : “ You knew, didn’t you .I’m a part of you?”
Simon loses consciousness- Simon found he was looking into a vast mouth. There was blackness within, a blackness that spread. Very important quote! Look a thematic link!
This head is for the beast - it’s a gift ….IS IT?Discuss: think they can of please the gods- polytheism
Lord of the Flies: Hebrew meaning –direct translation-Beelzebub
In the Old Testament, god of the Philistine City of Ekron
( the northern most of the five cities of Philistines). Seat of worship of Beelzebub
In the New Testament appears to be the name of the demon: Matthew 10:25, Mark 3:22 & Luke 11:15 Lord of the Flies - meaning of Hebrew name: fertility god of Ugarit
Cohort of Satan
The Lord of the Flies
The Lord of the Flies – The pig head that Jack's hunters stake into the ground and leave as an offering to the beast. Simon recognizes that the Lord of the Flies is the savage monster buried in everyone-duality of human nature? When the Lord of Flies tells Simon "we are going to have fun on this island," it means they're going to indulge every want and desire, without regard to the rules of civilization-primitivism. The Lord of the Flies symbolizes the evil in all men's souls. Are we born evil or do we learn evil?
Quotes and Notes:
“ The island was getting worse and worse” p.153. The Raid to steal fire p.154: Demoniac figures, painted bodies and faces, nakedness - thunder - savages. Note: to raid and steal they come from the shadows! Why?
“He’s a hunter. They’re all hunters. That’s different.”p.157
-Speaks to Simon -------> run away/ go back to others/ you are wrong -
CONFLICT: Between GOOD and EVIL
Write a thematic statement for this
The Raid to steal fire p.154: Demoniac figures, painted bodies and faces, nakedness - thunder - savages. Note: to raid and steal they came from the shadows!
Why?
Imagery: Description of Beast: significance to novel’s title. Note: head ---> dim-eyed/ grinned faintly later in Simon’s mind- amusingly ---> mockingly? Blood blackening between the teeth. It ignores: flies, spilled guts, indignity of being spiked on a stick
hey come from the shadows! Why?
I Am Part of YOU reread pp.157-159
You are wrong / why should you bother? -->HIGHEST AND LOWEST URGES OF MAN
Contrast----------------------->BUTTERFLIES The pile of guts was a black blob of flies that
buzzed like a saw. FLIES-----------> black, iridescent green and
without number / Symbolic: primitive urges of boys /they are subjects of evil - flash back to how they appeared as ants on the beach initially in novel
Lord of the Flies ---------> evil of unreason
There isn’t anyone to help you. Only Me. And I’m the Beast.
You Knew, didn’t you? I’m a part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason things why it’s no go. Why things are what they are. P.158
This quote is beyond Simon’s age and understanding. Important to note that evil exist within individuals- it is a necessary part of the human condition from Golding’s point of view.
I Am Part of YOU p. 158 Within each individual like grains of sand there is
the capability of evil
Golding believes to survive in this world man/woman must be a survivor- selfish, ruthless, tough, self-sufficient, hard, etc.
Humans are Ruthless in own survival, care for self before others - survivor
Human Nature: essentially evil, the power to be evil lurks beneath the surface of civilized behavior.
( Parallel to setting of island & theme) A darkness exists within each individual to secure own survival. Even the weakest human when faces with certain conditions is capable of the most violent acts - it is the reason why things happen the way they do.
A study of progression of evil acts…
List progression of evil acts: Note : Golding shows
consequences of this nature: A darkness can destroy man if not checked by imagination and reason; That is why Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy. P.223
Death of innocence, intellectualism, imagination and reason
With Piggy’s death comes the simultaneous death of the conch: What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? Does the answer lie within?
The boys’ civilization failed because of destructive , evil element in each boy?
Why can’t Beast be hunted or killed?
Simon found he was looking into the vast mouth. There was blackness within, a blackness that spread.
STAIN THREAT: WE SHALL DO YOU
Horrors of death: The Sow,
Simon, Piggy, the little one with the scar on his face, the sow, Simon, Piggy,
Wilfred, Sam and Eric, Roger and Ralph could have been killed.
Chapter 9: A View to Death
Ralph and Piggy go to Jack's feast. Meanwhile, Simon climbs up the mountain and figures out what the beast actually is. It was only the dead man in a previous chapter, who was thought to be the beast by Samneric.
Excited by his enlightenment, he runs down to the beach, where all the boys are. It was already night and it was hard to see something in the darkness. When Simon came out of the jungle, the boys were afraid of him and thought he was the beast. In their excitement and fear, they made a circle around Simon and sang the words: Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!They stabbed him to death (not intentionally) and it was never revealed what the beast actually was.
Chapter 9: A View to Death
Ch. 9: Write title and explain significance.
36. What reason does Ralph give for the boys' defection to Jack?
37. What kind of leader is Jack? 43. How does Jack propose to rule without the conch?
38. Why do Ralph and Piggy join the dance?
39. Why is Simon's body turned out to sea described in terms of glorification?
Jack painted and garlanded sat there like an idol” p.164 -chief ?
Thunder - foreshadowing
Describe the death of Simon p.167-170 What is the thematic significance of Simon’s death?
The Death of Simon
By the boys – thought he was a pig? Beast?
Can it be rationalized?
Chapter10: The Shell and the Glasses
Jack's tribe realizes that they cannot make a fire without Piggy's glasses and so Jack decides that they are going to steal it at night. They look for the glasses everywhere. Also in the shelters. Ralph, Samneric and Piggy wake up and they have a fight in the darkness, not sure who is hitting who. After the incident, they realized that Jack and his guys were there and stole Piggy's glasses and not the conch shell
QUOTES & NOTES:
Ch. 10: Write title and explain significance.
40. Why do Ralph, Piggy and Samneric lie about their part in Simon's death, or use the darkness as an excuse?
41. How is Wilfred punished? 42. How does Jack account for the death of Simon?
Discuss significance of broken glasses
Comparison to Fah. 451 & “Oedipus Rex”
WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT HUMAN NATURE?
Discuss situation between Ralph and Jack at this point
“I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home. O God I want to go home...(Ralph) It was an accident,” said Piggy stubbornly, “and that’s that.” p.173
Discuss the significance of quote in terms of truth and human nature.
“ We were on the outside” p.174
What
Chapter11: Castle Rock- Setting & Conflict
Piggy wants his glasses back, because he cannot see anything without them. The four boys, Ralph, Piggy and Samneric, go to the Castle Rock, Jack's new fort.
When they arrive there, Jack is on the hunt with a few other boys and Ralph speaks to the remaining ones. When Jack comes back, Ralph also tries to talk with him, calmly, but Jack's behavior is too provoking. They have a fight and Jack even uses a weapon, which is unfair. Ralph wins the fight anyway, but on the fort, Roger is already about to make the big rock fall. It also happens that Piggy is hit by the rock, and with Piggy's death, the conch shell breaks apart and "cease to exist" as it is written in the book.Samneric are captured by Jack's savages and are forced to join Jack's "tribe". Ralph flees and hides in the jungle.
Continued
Ch.11: Write title and explain significance. 42. Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to visit
Jack's camp? 43. What is the reaction of Jack's tribe to
Ralph's talk of rescue. Why is the term tribe interesting?
44. What happens when Piggy holds up the conch and tries to talk?
45. Why does Roger shove his way past Jack, only just managing not to edge him aside?
Ch.12
In the last chapter of Lord of the Flies, the savages try to kill Ralph. Ralph hides in the forest, but has to run away eventually. At some point, his persuaders set the island of fire, what is actually very stupid of them, because they destroy everything they would need in order to live on the island. Ralph runs towards the beach and when everything seems to be hopeless he meets a naval officer, who has seen the smoke of the burning island.
They all gather there and are taken on the officer's ship.
Chapter 12 Ch. 12: Write title and explain
significance. 46. How does Ralph learn of Jack's plans for
him? 47. What does Ralph say to the twins when
they refuse to help him? 48. Does Ralph understand why he must be
killed? 49. What is the irony of Samneric's behavior? 50. How does the Golding describe
Ralph's flight across the island? 51. What is the irony about the fire? 52. Why is Percival unable to remember his
name and address? 53. Why is Piggy's fall emphasized? 54. Why does Ralph say he is in charge of
the island? 55. What comparison is implied at the
end of the novel? 64. 56. Look at your list of titles what do they tell
you and how can you use them as a study device?
Conflict
Conflict: Atom Bomb, p.9
“Didn’t you hear what the pilot said? About the Atom Bomb?” P.9 Piggy
Storm Fire and Piggy ch.2
Fahrenheit 451
“Oedipus Rex”
External Compare
Conflict
Chief - Ralph or Jack - Vote - Ralph wins Jack in charge of choir/hunters : Initially they like each other, p.25
Piggy vs Ralph and Jack
The Hunters
Fahrenheit 451
“Oedipus Rex”
Interpersonal Compare
GOOD VERSUS EVIL
Ch. 8 The Gift for the Darkness
Suspense: The Hunts
1.
2.
3.
Fahrenheit 451
“Oedipus Rex”
L oF :Read pages Compare
Conflict
Rescue = Fire
Conflict: identify the conflicts
1. Fire
War within wars…
Identify the conflictWar within wars: Fah 451 & “ Oedipus”
Democracy vs Dictatorship
External reflects internal state Ralph vs Jack:“They looked at each other, baffled, in love and hate.” p.61
Examples from other works:
Characters
Ralph
Dad is a naval commander will save them “ how does he know we are here? - Piggy asks- “because, just because” reasons Ralph
Ralph: Anglo-Saxon: council= Democracy
The largest and most physically powerful boy on the island. Despite his size and strength, Ralph shows no signs of wanting to dominate others and is preoccupied with being rescued.
He insists on planning and following the rules, and is able to prioritize the needs of the group above his own selfish desires. For example, Ralph builds the huts even though he dislikes the work, in contrast to the other boys who go off to play whenever they dislike doing important tasks.
Ralph feels the exhilaration of hunting and killing, but he always manages to suppress savage feelings.
Ralph symbolizes law, government, and civil society.
1st character introduced: boy with fair hair,12 yrs old, boxer-physical build
Can’t believe reality of paradise -delighted –daydreams
Mildness about mouth and eyes that proclaimed no devil
Climbed rock knows it is an island-resourceful
Recognizes need for chief
Betrays and hurts Piggy when he reveals
Piggy’s nickname
Piggy
Made fun of by Jack - Fatty, Ralph tells group name is Piggy - made laughing stock- scapegoat
“ We don’t want you three’s enough...”
They used to call me “Piggy” The smartest boy on the island.
Due to his obesity and asthma, Piggy is also the weakest of the biguns.
Piggy believes passionately in civilization, law, and reasoning through problems, but he seldom does any work because of his obesity and his nonstop craving for food.
Piggy also has a tendency to lecture and criticize. His condescension infuriates the other boys and inspires them to single him out, ridicule him, and even physically abuse him.
Piggy symbolizes science and rationality.
Character introduced: plump knees, short, fat, asthma, thick spectacles, “auntie”, wants to get names of all the children-organizer-make a list , trust Ralph with nickname, can’t swim
Knows how to use conch, retrieved through knowledge , children obey Piggy and give him their names like they gave their names to the men with megaphones, intimidated by Jack .
Piggy’s specs: symbolism, imagery and allegory
Symbol of advancement, innovation, discovery, reason, intelligence,science and knowledge:
vision; vision … sight/enhancement A metaphor for
knowledge/intelligence Example: Piggy knows things the other boys don't, like how to use the conch, and the necessity for laws and order.
Piggy becomes blind-when the boys take his glasses, he can't see anything. "Seeing" is Piggy's greatest attribute.
It's the one reason the boys don't completely ostracize him
The one way he's useful. Without his glasses, he's useless—and the world he represents is useless, too.
Piggy sums it up! Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got” (Golding, p.100)
What are we ? Humans ? Or
animals? Or Savages? What’s grown-ups going to think? Going off --hunting pigs--letting fires go out --and now!”
(Golding, p.99)
Piggy’s glasses
The chief led them, trotting steadily, exulting in his achievement. He was a chief now in truth; and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy's broken glasses.
But dangling and broken They're no longer a symbol of reason and smarts; they're a symbol of just how far from civilization the boys have come.
Piggy’s Death
Piggy’s Death on p.200
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqrREfjDS-c
Reread You tube
Jack Merridew: Jack is derived from Hebrew: one who overthrows
Leader of choir - intimidating
tells Fatty to shut-up insists on being called
by last name- “This was the voice of one who knew his own mind”
“I ought to be chief” Qualification? chapter chorister, head boy, sing C sharp
Leader of choir/hunters Has a knife
The head boy of his chorus back in civilization, Jack becomes the leader of the hunters on the island.
Jack loves power. Laws and rules interest him only because they give him the chance to punish the other boys and express his dominance over them.
He loves to hunt and kill because it gives him a chance to dominate nature.
Jack gets angry whenever he doesn't get his way: he believes a proper leader issues orders and is obeyed.
By the end of the novel he becomes exactly that sort of leader, wielding power only for his own whim and benefit. Jack symbolizes the human love of dominance and power.
Dictatorship
Simon: Hebrew: listener
Introduced by fainting… A dreamy, dark haired boy, prone
to fainting spells and occasional fits.
Simon is the only member of Jack's chorus who doesn't become a hunter.
The most generous of the biguns, Simon helps Ralph build the shelters not out of a sense of duty, but because he wants to.
Candle buds…beauty Simon became “Inarticulate to
express mankind’s essential illness...” ( Golding, p.97).
Simon is also the most insightful and in many ways the bravest of the boys. Only Simon recognizes that the boys carry the beast within themselves; only Simon suggests that they confront the "beast" by climbing the mountain; and only Simon is unafraid when alone in the jungle.
Some critics have called Simon a symbol of Jesus Christ, but his symbolic role is actually more general. With his fits and spiritual insights, he stands for the mystics, prophets, and priests of all religions who confront and reveal the darkest aspects of human nature. This is a point of debate
The Little’uns
Littl’uns: Johnny, dark little boy,Who else?
Samneric
Sam and Eric, twins: cheery duplication Samneric The identical twins Sam and Eric who do
everything together. They so closely resemble each other that the other boys use just one name to refer to both of them.
The twins prove to be less influenced by fear of the beast or Jack than any of the other boys (except Ralph and Piggy), perhaps because as twins they're less alone than any of the other boys.
Roger: German: spearstick sharpened at both ends
Roger: slight, furtive boy whom no one knew, who kept to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy
A quiet, brooding member of Jack's chorus. Roger is at first little more than a mystery, a quiet, intense boy who seems to hide himself from the other boys
But as the trappings of civilization begin to recede on the island, Roger begins to reveal himself, first by throwing rocks at littleuns (and purposely missing), then by killing a pig more viciously than necessary, then by rolling a boulder down on Piggy, then by torturing Samneric, and finally by sharpening a stick on which he plans to stake Ralph's head, just as he earlier staked a pig's head.
While Jack loves power, Roger loves to cause pain.
He symbolizes mankind's sadistic instincts, the suppressed desire to hurt others.
Maurice
Maurice: next in size to Jack, broad and grinning
Pretends to be the pig Teams up with Roger –throwing rocks at
little’uns Destroys sand castle Remains loyal to Jack
The Choir
The Choir: “creatures”, square black caps with silver badges, black cloaks, silver cross on left breast and hambone frill p.21, leader gold badge, “ perched like black birds on criss-cross trunks” p.22
Entrance of choir associated with darkness
Minor characters
Samneric – The identical twins Sam and Eric who do everything together. They so closely resemble each other that the other boys use just one name to refer to both of them. The twins prove to be less influenced by fear of the beast or Jack than any of the other boys (except Ralph and Piggy), perhaps because as twins they're less alone than any of the other boys.
Phil – A littleun who says he saw the beast, though the "beast" turns out to be Simon coming back from the jungle.
Percival Wemys Madison – A littleun who states his name, address, and telephone number whenever he talks to someone older, and who says the beast comes from the sea.
British Naval Officer – An officer on a warship of the British Navy. He believes wholeheartedly that Britain is superior to all other civilizations.
Henry – A littleun at whom Roger throws rocks. Maurice – A bigun. Robert – A bigun. Bill – A bigun.
Pigs: The Bloodlust of the Kill Pigs: introduction of fear and terror - the
hunters have invaded the enchanted island. Food supply Hunter and prey? “ Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Bash her in.” Ralph spears boar ch.7 Interferes with rescue Primitivism Do they like the kill? Discuss.
Important pages to reread re: pigs Pp.72 Jack& hunters-: ‘we’ve killed a pig…got in a
circle…blood…There was a ship (Piggy reports) let but the hunters let the fire go out
Kill the pig! Cut her throat! Spill her blood.
Pp.123- 126 The boar and making a ring Ralph, Jack and Maurice involved in killing Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!
p.125
Pp. 147-150 The killing of the sow
A view to death…
Pp. 166 – 170 reread and make notes
Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Spill his blood! p.125
Blue white scar Simon calling out-
dead man on a hill!
Explosions Circle becomes a
horseshoe
Simon is killed as the beast
Connection to setting, mood and atmosphere
Mood and Atmosphere and Foreshadowing
Settings -> Mood -> Atmosphere: 1. Discussion of beastie -nightmares and fears. Simon: “As if ... the beastie, the beastie or the snakelike thing was real. Remember?” p.57
2. Jack hunting the pig 3. Sensation of being watched 4. Simon’s bower or retreat -Visual & auditory imagery -
sense of smell - CANDLE-BUDS- Figurative Language - Contrast Discuss the presence of evil - is it escalating? Snakes were not mentioned - shameful - why?
Foreshadowing: “ As if this wasn’t a good island” said Ralph slowly. p.57
Setting , Mood and Atmosphere
Introduction of thunder in setting - think of Shakespeare and Julius Caesar.
Evil is masked in the darkness of the night
The killing of the sow p.147
The killing of Simon p.166
The killing of Piggy –Castle Rock, p.200
The hunt for Ralph-Chapter 12
Ch.8: Gift for the Darkness
Other examples also good for imagery, conflict and theme!!
War Imagery
War Imagery: p.6 Reveals external conflict Ralph danced out into the hot
air of the beach and then returned as a fighter-plane, with wings set back and machine-gunned Piggy Wacco”
Ralph says have to have chief P.30 Rock like a bomb Imagery: The killing of the Sow The Fire Boys /choir-tribes Pigs, p.33 Behavior: Jack and Ralph Jack unmasked and masked pp.66
Animal and Nature Imagery
Insect like figures from a distance boys are animalistic Boys /choir Pigs, p.33 and The Kill p.147-p.155 Insect like figures from a distance boys are animalistic Paradise Darkness Candle bushes and candle buds+Simon and his retreat Storm
IMAGERY …a study in contrasts…mirages…
Paradise Darkness Candle bushes and
candle buds Heat Boys /choir Pigs, p.33 The Island The Scar
Behavior: Jack and Ralph Jack masked and
unmasked pp.68-69
War: Idea of masks Supernatural - reality vs
unreality – MIRAGE Camouflage Blood
Day vs night /light vs dark
Behavior & War
IRONY: What is the truth?
Simon believes that “maybe there is a beast”
What I mean is... maybe it’s only us”
( Golding, p.97)
Beast from the air: “human at once heroic and sick” (p. 113
Compare to Fah.451 & “Oedipus Rex”
Beast from the Water- ch.5 Beast from the Air-ch.6
Imagery
Imagery: Description of Beast: significance to novel’s title. Note:- head ---> dim-eyed/ grinned faintly later in Simon’s mind- amusingly ---> mockingly? Blood blackening between the teeth. It ignores: flies, spilled guts, indignity of being spiked on a stick
Demoniac figures, painted bodies and faces, nakedness - thunder - savages. Note: to raid and steal they come from the shadows! Why?
Ch.8 Gift for the Darkness
Ch.8 Boys + Atmosphere
Irony
Irony: Pilot: Individual turned into
killer - hunter of other men Technical discoveries and
inventions of man - planes, bombs , gunnery-used for destructive
Purpose:Reduced to subhuman/ apelike ----> symbolic?
Note: Animalistic behavior of boys/ visual imagery of pilot
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Pilot Now you list some examples of irony
Contrasts
painted faces broken specs rock throwing the kill Primitive behavior: celebrate the spoil of
the kill/ dance / song p.81 rock throwing/nakedness
Theme
Battle between good and evil
End of innocence The transition from
innocence to experience
Blindness to self truth
The nature of society, civilization and human hope
War and peace The fall of
civilization Dual nature of man Survival of the fittest Human nature is
essentially evil The defects of
society go back to the defects of human nature
Theme
The need for civilization
Fear of the unknown
Loss of identity Absolute power
corrupts absolutely
The primitive instincts of man
Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness in man’s heart , and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.
Theme
However Simon thought of the beast, there arose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick
Parachutist
There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill; and there was the world of longing and baffled common sense.
Who and where is the beast? Simon became “Inarticulate to
express mankind’s essential illness...” ( Golding, p.97).
Ironic: Pilot: Individual turned into
killer - hunter of other men Technical discoveries and
inventions of man - planes, bombs , gunnery-used for destructive
Purpose:Reduced to subhuman/ apelike ----> symbolic?
Note: Animalistic behavior of boys/ visual imagery of pilot
Symbols
Snakes & Candlebuds Masks & painted faces Stick sharpened at
both ends Rocks Nakedness Ship Fire The Barrier The Pilot Jack and stain ch.7
The End
That is why Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy. P.223
Important chapters to reread for test:
Chapter 1, 4, 7, 8 &12. All slides noting reread
pages Know quotes for test Know characters and
how to spell names Lord of the Flies as a
novel is underlined and is written by William Golding