1. ‘Lord of the Flies’: the plot & themes
Lesson Objectives:
to identify key aspects of plot
to become familiar with themes of the novel

2. The Plot All of the action takes place on the island.
The island becomes the boys’ life
The Plot
The novel explores how the boys organise themselves in this new way of life and survive

3. The pig’s head is put on a stick by Jack and his tribe as an offering to the beast on the island.
It appears to speak to Simon and calls itself the ‘Lord of the Flies’
The Beast/Lord of the Flies represents evil, the most important theme of the novel.
The novel questions whether we all have evil in us, somewhere.
Themes

4. The Themes …
Good v Evil
Nature
Themes
Power
Law and order

5. Themes Conch boys v Hunting Tribe Friends to enemies Island is a
tropical paradise
Boys interfere
with nature
Peace to violence
Jack v Ralph
Island is a
microcosm
Boys destroy
nature on island
Light & darkness
Boys v
Beast
Nature mirrors
moods – storm = fight
Good v Evil
Nature
Themes
Power
struggles
Island can repair
– can boys?
Power
Law and order
Starts off
democratic
Civilisation turns
into barbarity
Conch
represents power
and authority
Things break
down
Friends become
enemies
Savagery
takes over
Abuse of
power

6. Themes mind map
Add as many extra ideas as you can to the themes mind map, using your knowledge of the plot.
Consider:
Who does what?
Who is involved with each theme?

7. Characters
Think about the key events in the book for each main character.

8. Ralph
Blowing the conch, being voted leader (allows Jack to be in charge of the choir)
Organising the signal fire
Building the shelters (for littluns), argument with Jack
Confrontation with Jack after the fire goes out
Remains chief after Jack’s challenge – the group splits
Goes to Jack’s feast, dances. Involved in killing Simon
Goes with Piggy and Samneric to get Piggy’s glasses back
Is hunted by Jack’s group
Is rescued and weeps for the loss of innocence

9. Piggy
Finds the conch, suggests the meeting and taking names. Realises nobody knows where they are.
Bullied and dismissed by the others: ‘Piggy’
Relies on the conch to make himself heard in meetings. Doesn’t believe in the ‘beastie’
Angry when the fire gets out of control because the others don’t listen to Ralph
Accuses Jack after the ship is seen – his glasses are broken
Goes to the feast and is involved in Simon’s killing – in denial about it later
Has his glasses stolen
Goes to reclaim his glasses with the conch – is killed

10. Jack
Appears at the head of the choir – asserts authority (doesn’t let them take cloaks off). Bullies Piggy. Claims he should be leader – uses his choir as hunters.
Can’t kill the piglet when he goes exploring
Becomes obsessed with hunting – lets the signal fire go out, paints his face
Hits Piggy and breaks his glasses to hunt the Beast
Splits from the others after unsuccessfully challenging Ralph’s leadership
Steals Piggy’s glasses to light the fire
Kills a pig and leaves the head as a gift for the Beast
Becomes a dictator of his tribe, leads the group in dancing and kills Simon
Orders Samneric’s kidnapping, hunts Ralph after Piggy’s death,

11. Simon Faints – then goes exploring with Jack and Ralph.
Helps Ralph build shelters for the littluns.
Goes to his sanctuary in the clearing – spiritual.
Has the idea to use Piggy’s glasses to light the fire.
Picks fruit for the littluns when they can’t reach it.
Gives his pork to Piggy after Jack doesn‘t give him any.
Doesn’t believe in the Beast – goes across the island at dusk to go back to Piggy – courageous
Confronts the Lord of the Flies – realises evil is inside us, not a Beast
Goes up the hill to confront the Beast – releases the dead parachute from the lines
Returns to the beach to tell the others – is killed.