Lord of the Flies by William Golding Study the cover of the novel. What objects seem important?

William Golding ( ) Born in Cornwall, UK Born in Cornwall, UK Studied Anthropology, Archaeology, and Literature in college at Oxford Studied Anthropology, Archaeology, and Literature in college at Oxford Became a teacher at a private boys’ school ( ) Became a teacher at a private boys’ school ( ) Entered the Navy during WWII; participated in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day Entered the Navy during WWII; participated in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983

Historical Context WWI was called the “Great War” or the “War to end all wars” WWI was called the “Great War” or the “War to end all wars” WWII was also the advent of the atom bomb; humans now had the ultimate powers of destruction. WWII was also the advent of the atom bomb; humans now had the ultimate powers of destruction. –Great Britain feared invasion and even evacuated some children to other countries –In 1940 a German U-Boat torpedoed a British ship carrying children, killing the boys; thus suspending the oversees evacuation program

Author’s Purpose “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 --William Golding

Lord of the Flies Published in 1954 Published in 1954 Rejected 21 times before being published! Rejected 21 times before being published! On the American Library Association’s list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of On the American Library Association’s list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of Written partially in response to The Coral Island, a story of how people supposedly ascend in their goodness on an island. Written partially in response to The Coral Island, a story of how people supposedly ascend in their goodness on an island. Themes of Human nature Themes of Human nature  Duality of man  Nature Vs. Nurture  Good Vs. Evil

Coral Island Summary Ralph, Jack, and Peterkin are the sole survivors of a shipwreck on the coral reef of a large Polynesian island. At first their life on the island is idyllic; food is plentiful and they fashion a shelter and even construct a small boat. The boys are plunged into many adventures. These include battling Polynesians, fighting pirates, becoming kidnapping victims, etc. Through it all, they remain loyal to each other, trustworthy, kind, and good. Through it all, they remain loyal to each other, trustworthy, kind, and good. In the end, the In the end, the boys then set sail for home, older and wiser. Discuss with a neighbor why this story elicited a response from Golding.

Lord of the Flies Title Title –Translation of “Beelzebub” or Satan Setting Setting –A tiny coral island in the South Pacific during a war when the atomic bomb may have been used. This world becomes their microcosm of the real world. Plot Plot –A group of young prep school boys is stranded on an island and they must negotiate the social issues of cooperation and self- government. –The outside world is consumed with war. Main characters Main characters –Ralph, Jack, Piggy, Simon, Sam ‘n Eric

Lord of the Flies Essential Questions: Essential Questions: –Are humans inherently good or evil? –What does it mean to be civilized? –Democracy vs. dictatorship? What type of government works best? Why? –What are the outcomes when evil is an influence? –Nature vs. Nurture-Are humans more heavily influenced by genetics or environment?

On theme…

Symbols The island The island The conch The conch Piggy’s glasses Piggy’s glasses The fire The fire The “beastie” The “beastie” The “littluns” The “littluns” The pig The pig The names of the boys The names of the boys

Anticipation Guide Please review the following statements and discuss whether you agree or disagree with your partner. Try to come up with a real world example that backs up your assertion. 1. A good leader must have charisma. 2. A good leader must have intelligence. 3. A good leader must have moral integrity. 4. Most people are followers. 5. Society does not need police to keep people honest. 6. People are essentially good. 7. Society does not tolerate outsiders. 8. The force of good is stronger than that of evil. 9. Sometimes, good people do bad things.