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Lord of the Fliesby William Golding

Section Two


Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Contents (click to go straight to each chapter)


Chapter Five summary


An allegory is a story with a hidden meaning under its surface, often about politics or

morality.

Allegory

At this stage of the novel, we can see how Lord of the Flies can be read and understood on different levels.

At a basic level, Lord of the Flies is an adventure story about a group of schoolboys surviving on a desert island. It is the story of what happens to them and what they do.

But the novel also works on a deeper level, where its setting, characters and events are symbolic of Golding’s wider ideas about humanity and the issue of evil in the world. In this respect, Lord of the Flies is an allegory.


Symbolism

Various elements in the novel represent other ideas. We have already seen how the conch is not just a shell but a symbol of authority and democracy on the island.

What could the island itself and the boys be symbolic of?The island is used to represent the world as a whole; it is the world in microcosm.

The boys represent a miniature version of society,though without the everyday rules and regulations which govern the civilized society we all live in.

= =


Ralph’s speech

As the leader, Ralph has tried to establish a civilized and fairway of life on the island by putting in place rules. However,he recognizes that things are not going to plan:

What evidence is there that order hasdeteriorated on the island?

Why do you think this has happened?

Can you predict what may happen if things continue to ‘break up’?

‘Things are breaking up. I don’t understand why. We began

well; we were happy. And then –’


What evidence is there that order hasdeteriorated on the island? Jack is not listening to Ralphs orders. He himself is trying to control the group. Most also don’t listen for very long. They want to play and have fun while they can.

Why do you think this has happened?Because there is no adult control that the group can follow and be obedient to. They realise Ralph as the leader, but not someone to follow direct orders from or to let him command them.

Can you predict what may happen if things continue to ‘break up’?

A fight, between Ralph and those who do not wish to follow his order. A huge argument of wills between Ralph and Jack.


Hot seating


Diary

Now write a diary entry as either Ralph, Jack, Piggy or Simon, following the dramatic events of the assembly.You might like to include in the entry your chosen character’s thoughts and feelings on the following:

how things are ‘breaking up’

whether you think it is important to follow the rules

the change in appearance of everyone

the ‘ghost’ – do you believe it exists?

Jack’s departure from the group (if you are writing from the perspective of Jack, talk about your reasons behind this).


No one is listening to Ralph anymore, he thinks he can control them, but he can’t. Hopefully soon they will join me. That Piggy better not get in my way. We don’t need to live civilly, we just need to survive. The rules are not as important as survival. We need meat and if Ralphs stupid rules are going to stop us then we don’t need them.

Most of my boys have changed, in a good way. We are all dirty and our clothes have turned to rags. No one really minds. We all look stronger, even Ralph and Piggy a bit. That stupid Piggy is getting braver and braver each day and it’s starting to really annoy me. Especially how he talks about that stupid ‘ghost’. He just wants to protect the kids. They don’t need to be protected from something that doesn’t even exist.

I eventually left, finally. I was getting so frustrated. It’s better on this side of the island. No one to say that we have to make shelters and what not. I didn’t need those stupid rules. I wanted meat, to survive. Live life the best. Not in safety and never leaving the beach.

Jack- Diary


True or false?


Chapter Six summary


Sam and Eric

How does Golding portray Sam and Eric?

What are Sam and Eric’s relationships with the other characters?

Sam and Eric are minor characters but are involved in important events in the novel.

Is this an accurate account? Why do you think they describe the beast like this?

Look again at the twins’ account of their sighting ofthe beast.


How does Golding portray Sam and Eric?

As if they are one person. They are boys that support the rest of the group. They have an overactive imagination as they describe the beast as a crazy idea

What are Sam and Eric’s relationships with the other characters?

They follow Ralph, but they are scared of Jack.

Is this an accurate account? Why do you think they describe the beast like this?

No, they were scared and running, they describe it like this as they could not see properly and there fear has caused them to make up things.


Chapter Six questions

What moment in Chapter Six shows that Jack is rejecting the values of order and democracy?

When he doesn’t want to use the conch to speak and that they don’t need it anymore

What is Simon’s reaction to Sam and Eric’s account of their sighting of the beast?

He doesn’t believe in it, he sees it as something monster like that they can’t hunt

Why do Ralph and Jack clash again when they are out searching for the beast?

They want to do different things, Jack wants to build a fort, but Ralph wants to relight the fire


Chapter Seven summary


The other side of the island

Think back to Golding’s description of the island in ChapterOne. Now read again the description of the tail end ofthe island which the boys explore in Chapter Seven.

Boys’ side of the island Other side of the island

How is this side of the island different to the part of the island where the boys live?

Cold ocean waterHard horizon

How do the different surroundings and atmosphere of this side of the island make Ralph feel?

Palm terraceStill lagoon


Ralph, Jack and Piggy


Chapter Eight summary


After an ongoing struggle for authority, Jack revolts againstRalph and the boys split into two definite groups:

Group 1 Group 2

Ralph, Piggy andSam and Eric

Jack, Roger and the hunters

What does Group 1have that Group 2 want?

Which group would you rather be in?Think about the benefits and the downsides of belonging to each group.

And what will they useto get it?

Jack versus Ralph

Pro: have fireCon: no good

hunters so lackof food

Pro: no rules orresponsibilities

Con: fearful leader


Jack versus Ralph

If Ralph’s method of leadership is democratic, how would you describe Jack’s approach?

Think about the values of each group. How different are they? Think of a word or phrase which you feel best sums up each group.

Piggy blames the break-up of their society solely on Jack. Do you agree with him, or is Ralph partly at fault? Is thereanything he could have done differently as the leader?

Look at the way Jack talks to his tribe.

Add to your table of Ralph’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader.


• If Ralph’s method of leadership is democratic, how would you describe Jack’s approach?

• His approach is unlawful, he decides things on his own and oppresses everyone else to follow

• Think about the values of each group. How different are they? Think of a word or phrase which you feel best sums up each group.

• Ralphs group would be ‘law and order’ they want to keep things right and in order to survive and also to keep the possibility of rescue high.

• Jacks group would be ‘oppressive’. Jack controls his group and monopolizes them.


Simon and the Lord of the Flies

Simon comes across the pig’s head covered in flies, and has a conversation with it.

Is this conversation real? What does the Lord of the Flies tell Simon?

What could this conversation be foreshadowing?

You’re not wanted.

Don’t try to escape!

We shalldo you.

I’m the Beast.


• That he is a ‘silly little boy’ and that he doesn’t want Ralph to think Simon is ‘batty’.

• That he is a part of Simon and Simon is not wanted and that they are going to ‘have fun on this island’

Is this conversation real? What does the Lord of the Flies tell Simon?

What could this conversation be foreshadowing?

Possibly Simons death. Or his downfall against the other boys.



In Chapter Five, Simon reacted to the suggestion that there was a beast on the island by saying ‘Maybe it’s only us’.

Then, in his imaginary conversation, the Lord of the Flies (the voice inside Simon’s head) says:

What has Simon come to realize about ‘the beast’?

That it is a part of all of them. They are the beast.

‘Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!’…You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you?...I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?’



Simon has a deeper understanding of his situation than the other boys. He realizes that the beast is not a creature orghost but is the boys themselves – the beast is something within them all.

Golding uses the idea of the beast to symbolize the potential for evil which he believes exists within all humans. When this evil is allowed to flourish, as it is on the island, it causes destruction.

The name ‘Lord of the Flies’ is a direct translation of Beelzebub – a biblical name for the devil. The pig’s head therefore represents evil. Simon is ‘not wanted’ because he represents good.


Religious symbolism

The name ‘Lord of the Flies’ is one example of religious symbolism in the novel.

Can you identify any other religious symbols in the novel?

The beast symbolizes the devil, who enters the Garden of Eden in the shape of a snake, and leads Adam and Eve to sin.

As a truly good characterSimon becomes a Christ-like figure.

The island represents theGarden of Eden.


Who said it?

© boardworks ltd 2005 1 of 23 this icon indicates that teacher’s notes are available in the notes...

Documents

chapter slide

summary slide

hot seating slide

desert island

civilized society

diary entry

group of schoolboys

adventure story