Lord of the Flies William Golding

Bell Ringer #1 Part 1: Turn in your Real Life Archetype homework to the front of the room labeled on the floor. Part 2: Write Now Answer the following questions on a blank piece of paper: What are the qualities of a good person? Do you consider yourself a good person? What type of environments would instigate you to do bad things? Why do good people do bad things? (100+ words) Is man inherently good or evil? Explain your thinking. (100+ words) Part 3: When you are finished with the writing, please take one of each paper from the piles on the floor in front. Please keep them in order. Part 4: Go to the library and check out a Lord of the Flies text as quickly as possible. No lingering in library or halls. We have SO much to do today.

Lord of the Flies  Author: William Golding  Golding’s views reflect his understanding of the world in which he was living and develop of out his experience and cultural background.  However, as with most good literature, this novel in not simply a statement of Golding’s political and cultural views; rather, it is an imaginative exploration of certain aspects of human nature and, as you will discover when we read, discuss, and analyze the text, he does not provide his readers with a nicely packaged set of views that they can either accept or reject.  Instead, through his exploration of the events which occur on the island, he challenges the readers to attempt to develop their own views about the experience of evil and violence in the human race.

Allegory  Lord of the Flies is a highly complex novel.  It can be seen as an allegory; that is a piece of writing in which the apparent meaning of the characters and events is used to symbolize a deeper meaning—moral, political, or social.  Consequently, it is possible to see the characters of this novel as being symbolic of different attitudes and/or personality traits.  The events in the book can also be symbolic of different world events (factual or fictional) or various political dynamics.  Your job while reading is to look for examples of how the book (characters or events) are symbolic of a deeper meaning!!

Bell Ringer #2 Analyze the student population in your school and the various groups or cliques that exist. Discuss whether there are certain mannerisms, clothing preferences, behavior codes, or other qualities that characterize each group. Have you ever known a group member outside the context of his or her group? Did that person behave differently when not under the direct influence of the group?

Bell Ringer #3 Analyze the method used to determine who is the “leader” of the island. Why do you believe Ralph was chosen over Jack? How does this compare to how leaders are chosen in our schools? local communities? state? country? Does his physical appearance have anything to do with the decision?

Bell Ringer #4 Have you ever killed a living creature? What was it? Why did you kill it? Describe any emotions/feelings you felt after the kill. If you’ve killed more than once, do the successive kills become easier? Do humans have animal instincts to kill? If so, in what situations?

Bell Ringer #5 Illustrate what you believe to be the most significant scene from the past several chapters (4-6). Cite a short passage from the scene that would help explain its significance. Write a detailed paragraph explaining why you chose this scene as one of the most important.

Homework  Respond to discussion board questions.  Read chapter seven.  Finish confessional #2.  Bell ringer for Wednesday will be to answer the mask question.

Bell Ringer  Complete Confessional #2

Homework  Read chapters 8-9  Confessional #3  Discussion Board Question #3 due Sunday

Bell Ringer #6 Lord of the Flies has been called an allegory in which the characters are symbols for abstract ideas. Explain this statement by analyzing each of the major characters (Ralph, Jack, Piggy, Simon, and Roger) in terms of his distinctive character traits and the human quality he might symbolize. Base this analysis off of what you have read so far.

Bell Ringer #7 Defend and/or criticize Ralph's actions as leader. What were his motivations? Did he contribute to any of the tragedies in any way? What would you have done differently in his situation?

Bell Ringer #8 Some readers of Lord of the Flies have argued that each and every one of the boys' actions is nothing more than an attempt to survive in difficult conditions. Think about the mounting of the sow's head, Simon's ascent up the mountain, and the murder of Piggy in particular, as well as any other key scenes that stand out for you. Is it fair to say that the boys' actions were merely the result of the human survival instinct? Why or why not? If so, can you use these examples to draw some general conclusions about the human instinct to survive?