1. ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding: Chapter 2
Lesson Objectives:
to explore symbolism and consider its effect on the reader

2. “By the time Ralph finished blowing the conch the platform was crowded” page 42
This is the first sentence of the chapter.
What does this quote tell us about …
Ralph?
The conch?
How does it make the reader feel?

3. Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain
What are
fires
used for?
What difficulties
might the boys
face in starting
a fire?
How could
they overcome
them?

4. What are
fires
used for?
light
security
cooking
comfort
warmth

5. Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain
In this chapter …
Jack calls a meeting and reports what he Ralph and Simon have discovered about the island
One of the “littluns” (one with a birthmark) talks about a ‘beast’ he saw in the night
They agree to start a fire to attract attention
The fire starts to burn out of control
The “llittlun” with the birthmark disappears

6. The “snake-thing”
Look at the description Piggy relays to the group about the “beastie” the Littlun with the birthmark speaks about (page in this edition ).
What other stories can you think of that feature a snake?
What do snakes symbolise?

7. The descriptions of the fire
Note down words and phrases which describe the growing power and destructiveness of the fire (pages in this edition )

8. Negative imagery
List all of the words and phrases used in this chapter to create a negative impression of the island
What effect do you think this has on the reader?

9. Chapter 2: key question Is the island still a utopia?
What has happened in this chapter to change your view?