I can statements for Lord of the Flies by William Golding Senior English Fall 2014 I can RL/RI.1 cite strong, thorough, explicit textual evidence analyze explicit ideas In the text draw inferences from the text determine where text leaves matters uncertain (when answering questions written and orally) RL/RI.2 Determine theme or central idea analyze how specific details shape the development of the theme analyze how themes build on one another present an objective summary of each reading Rl/RI. 3 analyze how setting affects the story analyze the impact of the sequence of events analyze how characters are introduced and developed and changed Analyze how characters apply to the theme Rl/RI. 4 determine the meaning of words and phrases as used in the text Figurative meanings Connotative meanings Word choice on meaning and tone Rl/RI. 5 analyze specific parts of text define a tragic resolution examine how author s choices contribute to overall structure and meaning Rl/RI. 6 distinguish between what is directly stated and what is meant Determine point of view and purpose of text W.1 Write an argument using valid reasoning and sufficient evidence W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts Page 1
W. 3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined events w.4 develop grade level appropriate writing w.5 use revision and editing strategies w.6 Use technology to publish writing Respond to feedback w.9 draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis Page 2
WILLIAM GOLDING English author. Born: September 19, 1911 Died: June 19, 1993 The winner of the 1983 Nobel Prize in Literature, William Golding is among the most popular and influential British authors to have emerged in the second half of the twentieth century. Golding's reputation rests primarily upon his first novel, Lord of the Flies (1954), which is consistently regarded as an effective and disturbing portrayal of the fragility of civilization. William Gerald Golding was born on September 19, 1911 in Cornwall England. His father was a schoolmaster and his mother was a suffragette. His parents had wanted him to study science, so he did from grammar school until the second year of college. After his second year of college, he abandoned the study of science in favor of English literature. He wrote poetry and worked in amateur theater for a while before becoming a teacher where he was at the beginning of World War II. At the start of World War II, he entered the Royal navy and served with distinction on mine sweepers, destroyers, and rocket launchers. He believed that the horrors of World War II can be based on some innate evil which he explores in Lord of the Flies. After the war, he returned to teaching and writing, although had little success getting published. He was able to get Lord of the Flies published and it experienced great success. Golding died of a heart attack in 1993. **Through Lord of the Flies, Golding tries to teach us and warn us of the evil nature of mankind. He says through the book that we are evil and that it is only society that keeps us from committing crimes. Page 3
Characterization Characterization is the act of creating and developing a character. A writer can use direct characterization when stating or describing a character s traits. Direct characterization is when an author shows a character s personality through his actions, thoughts, feelings, and words, or through another character s observations and reactions. Indirect characterization relies on the reader to put together the clues in order to figure out the character s personality. It is important to remember that characterization relies upon the character s traits and NOT upon his or her physical appearance. Complete the chart below with each character s physical description, the traits he demonstrates at the beginning of the novel, and changes (if any) the character exhibits as he moves through the novel. Ralph Physical Description Personality/Traits Changes Jack Piggy Simon Roger Page 4
Symbolism Symbolism is the narrative technique used to give significance or deeper meaning to certain people or objects, which represent some other figure. For example, a rose can be a symbol of love. Depending on the color of the rose, it may mean a particular kind of love i.e. red rose= passion and pink rose= friendship. What does each of the following items from Lord of the Flies represent on a symbolic level? SYMBOL The Conch Shell MEANING Piggy Piggy s glasses Ship Fire Masks Page 5
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Conflict Internal Conflict: an internal struggle. Character has to make a decision on things that are in conflict with his/her values, morals, personality traits and or motives. External Conflict: The protagonist struggles with something that is outside him/herself. The typical- man vs. man, man vs. nature, and man vs. society. Explain each of these conflicts. Conflict Ralph vs. Jack MEANING- examples Boys vs. Beastie Boys vs. Nature Boys vs. Piggy Jack vs. Society Page 7
Themes Theme is the central idea or the lesson/point the author is trying to make. Use examples with page numbers from the text to support the following themes. Be thorough; these will serve as notes for your final paper! William Golding said the theme of the book is an attempt to trace back the defects of society to the defects of human nature The moral is that the shape of society must depend on the ethical nature of the individual and not on any political system. (Bellmore-Merrick). Need for civilization and order Loss of identity Loss of innocence Page 8
Power Fear of the Unknown Blindness and sight Page 9
Lord of the Flies Analysis Questions What: You are going to be answering some questions about each reading assignment. Why: I am having you do only a few questions, so they can be done thoroughly and correctly. The reason I am having you write them in paragraph form with citations is to help prepare you for your literary analysis paper you will be writing at the end of the book. When: Questions will be due at the beginning of the period after each reading assignment How: Write at least a paragraph response for each question. There should be a topic sentence, supporting textual evidence with MLA citations, and a concluding sentence. Standards: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of the text. Draw inferences from the text including uncertain matters using textual evidence to support the inference. Determine themes, and analyze author s impact. Draw evidence from literary texts to support analysis. Exemplar Question: What circumstances have brought the boys to the island and what is their initial reaction? Topic Answer: sentence A= The circumstance that brought the boys to the island is their plane is shot down during a war. Presumably they are being relocated and are a victim of the fighting. The two boys during chapter one discuss how they ended up on the island. The fair headed boy (Ralph) believes they were dropped off, while Piggy exclaims, We was attacked! (8). The fat boy mentions seeing flames coming out of the plane as it was coming down (8). The boys then realize they are the only ones on the island since the pilot and plane have floated out to sea. At first they are excited to be without grownups. the delight of a realized ambition overcame him (8). As the realization sinks in, Piggy expresses concern that they might be there until they die (14). The boys will soon have to be the grownups in order to deal with their circumstances. B= The circumstances that brought the boy s to the island is their plane was shot down. They two boys argue as to how they got there. Ralph thinks this is where they were dropped off and Piggy believes it was because We was attacked (8). The boys are initially excited to be without adults on the island, but due to Piggy s intelligence soon realize they are going to have to be the adults since they could be there till they die. This is a b because there are not enough parenthetical citations and more textual evidence could be used. C= The boy s plane crashed. Piggy says he saw flames and that they were attacked. The boys are happy to be without adults, but become concerned that no one knows they are on the island. This is a c because there is no topic sentence or concluding sentence. There is some textual evidence, but no citations. D= The plane has crashed on the island during a war. They boys are glad to be without parents. Page 10 Textual evidence with citations Concluding sentence
READING ANALYSIS QUESTIONS CHAPTERS 1-2 Group 1 1. How does Ralph initially seem to feel about Piggy? 2. What are the rules for the conch? What does is symbolize? 3. What do you consider to be good qualities of a leader? What do the boys consider good qualities? Group 2 1. What image does Golding use when Ralph first teases Piggy? 2. Who first mentions the beast? How do Jack and Ralph respond differently? 3. At the end of chapter two, what is your assessment of Ralph as a leader? Why? Has it changed from your initial assessment? Why or why not? Group 3 1. How is the first appearance of the choir described? What metaphors are used? 2. Why is Ralph annoyed by Jack s promise to hunt the beast? 3. Do you think Ralph is a good leader? Why or why not? Group 4 1. Why does Jack feel he should be elected chief? 2. What does it say about the group that they rush off to make a fire? What successes and what difficulties do they have making one? 3. Who really should be the leader of the group? Why? Why isn t he elected? Group 5 1. When Ralph reveals Piggy s name to the rest of the boys, what effect does it have on the group? Why do you think Ralph tells even though Piggy specifically asked him not to? 2. What is Jack s explanation of why he did not kill the pig? What is Golding s explanation? 3. What happens to the little boy with the mark on his face? How does this affect the boys? Group 6 1. Why do you think Piggy hesitates before voting for Ralph? 2. In what ways is the building of the fire both a good and a bad idea? 3. Who is the most valuable member of the group at this point? Do the boys recognize this? Why or why not? Page 11
Group 7 1. What jobs does the choir take? 2. What important job is Piggy not able to accomplish? Why? What does this reveal about their situation? 3. What do you consider to be good qualities of a leader? What do the boys consider good qualities? Group 8 1. What do you think of Ralph s choice of Simon to join the exploration of the island? 2. How do the boys feel about the island once they reach its summit and have toppled the rock? 3. What is your assessment of Ralph as a leader? Who should really be leader? Why isn t he chosen? Page 12
READING ANALYSIS QUESTIONS CHAPTERS 3-4 Group 1 1. Why does Ralph feel it is important to have shelter for the little one? 2. How does Ralph reclaim his position as chief? Group 2 1. Describe the changes in Jack as chapter three opens? How is he described? What is the implication of Golding describing him as a furtive thing, ape-like among the tangle of trees? 2. Why does Simon feel shame for giving Piggy meat? Why does Jack rage a him for giving Piggy meat? Group Three 1. What does the argument between Jack and Ralph show about what each of them hopes for and fears? 2. Jack s breaking of Piggy s glasses is a turning point in the novel. Why? What changes does it mark in the characters? Group Four 1. What does it mean that Jack and Ralph look at each other baffled, in love and hate? 2. How does face painting affect the boys? With what are they preoccupied? Why do they repeat the chant? Group Five 1. How do both Jack and Ralph view Simon? 2. Why is it awful that the fire goes out? Group Six 1. What are the various jobs assigned to the boys? Why don t the boys do their jobs? 2. Describe the actions of Roger in this chapter. What information is Golding trying to reveal with these actions? Group Seven 1. Describe the changes in Jack as chapter three opens? How is he described? What is the implication of Golding describing him as a furtive thing, ape-like among the tangle of trees? 2. What are the two groups of boys Golding creates? Why does he create two groups and not just one group? What does this symbolize or reveal to us about society? Page 13