Student Activities for Lord of the Flies
Essential Questions for Lord of the Flies
- What makes a person powerful?
- Do people control groups or do groups control people?
- Are laws necessary? What happens when there are no laws?
Lord of the Flies Summary
The story begins when a plane of students from a boys school is accidentally shot down over a deserted tropical island, during WWII. The story centers around two boys, Ralph and Jack; Ralph is quiet, level headed, and a poised leader; Jack is cruel and ruthless, making fun of others, and is eventually the center of many deaths.
With the boys stranded on the island, a struggle for power ensues. A boy named Piggy finds a conch shell; when he blows it like a horn, the boys who have scattered about the island run back to the beach. Ralph is made leader, and he uses the conch to decide diplomatically who will speak; whoever holds the conch speaks and no one else. However, Jack seems to be upset over Ralph’s position. Seeing this, they make Jack in charge of the hunting group.
Ralph's first declaration as leader is that they should light a fire to attract help. Through the use of Piggy's thick framed glasses, the boys ignite a fire. However, their inexperience and immaturity leads them all to ignore it. A raging fire starts and burns down part of the jungle. It is then assumed that one of the youngest boys had been burnt to death.
At first, life on the island is fantastic for the boys. They have no rules, and no one to discipline them. However, without a signal fire, the ship they see passing by leaves them stranded. Ralph, Piggy, and Jack argue about it. It was Jack's turn to watch the fire, but he let it burn out. During the argument, Jack ends up hitting Piggy across the face. Ralph blows the conch and gives a speech to restore order. However, the youngest boys are frightened and the older boys ignore Ralph. They have become savage hunters, relishing their first kill, a wild hog.
Rumors spread of an enormous beast on the island, and it becomes apparent that the boys' isolation is beginning to take a psychological toll. Jack and Ralph become increasingly hostile towards one another, and the boys decided to hold a meeting to discuss who is to be the leader of the group. Jack hopes that Ralph will be voted out, but the other boys refuse. Trying to rally the boys again, Piggy insists that they create a new signal fire. However, many of them are more interested in joining Jack in search of the "beast".
Shortly after, Simon, one of the older boys, has a dream where the head of the hog Jack killed, which has been staked in the forest, speaks to him. When Simon wakes, he realizes that there is no beast, and that the real monsters are within all of them. He goes to talk to the boys on the beach, but when he emerges, they think he is the beast and kill him. The next morning, Ralph, horrified over what happened, goes to Jack’s camp to talk to the hunters. They become unreasonable; Piggy is killed, and Ralph must run from the hunters who turn on him.
Ralph must hide and run for his life. Finally, Ralph runs to the beach only to fall at the feet of a British soldier. The fire, again raging out of control, signaled a naval ship. When the naval officer begins to question Ralph about what is going on, Ralph and all of the boys began to sob uncontrollably, knowing what they've done and now facing the reality of their actions.
Other Lord of the Flies Activity Ideas
- Use a storyboard to show precise causes and effects of events that happen in the novel.
- Use a storyboard to depict one chapter at a time.
- Create a T-Chart storyboard for the theme of order vs. chaos.
- Add a presentation to any storyboard project.
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How To Explain the Concept of Society and Civilization To Students
Define Society and Civilization
Begin by giving the students simple and basic definitions of a society and a civilization. Tell them that a society is made by a group of people who share common grounds and are connected by relationships. Explain the history and importance of civilization and how a society is a part of the civilization.
Discuss Changes
Describe how civilizations and cultures develop and change. Use examples such as how the evolution of society standards through time or how contemporary technology has changed communication.
Talk About Interdependence
In society, individuals rely on one another for a variety of needs, including food, housing, education, and more. Cite instances such as food producers like farmers, educators like teachers, and health care providers like physicians. Discuss how these roles play an important part in keeping order and how the boys in Lord of the Flies could have made a difference in their situation if they had established this order until they were rescued.
Share Interesting Stories
Share interesting stories about different civilizations and societies throughout different time periods. For example, the first civilization and how it came into being. Teachers can show some movies or videos that can explain the history through storytelling.
Give Scenarios
For students to understand the importance of several elements in society, provide them with scenarios such as what would they do if they found out that they were in a dystopian world or they got lost in the woods with their friends. This can also improve their critical thinking skills and help them understand the moral of the story as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lord of the Flies by William Golding
What is the plot of "Lord of the Flies"?
A group of young British boys is described in the book "Lord of the Flies" as being stuck on an isolated island following an aircraft disaster. They make an effort to establish a functioning community, but things quickly turn violent and chaotic. The story explains the chaos and mental repercussions faced by the boys during this time period and how their disagreements resulted in many deaths.
Who are the primary characters in the story?
Ralph, Piggy, Jack, Simon, and Roger are the major protagonists; they each stand in for a distinct facet of society and human nature. The conflict of power between Jack and Ralph results in many disagreements and groups within the group.
What is the significance of the title "Lord of the Flies" and its symbolic meaning?
The pig's head on a stick that the lads worship as a representation of their own depravity and darkness is mentioned in the title. Students can try to analyze the actual and literal meaning of this phrase and its relation to the story.
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