Survival Instincts: Lessons from The Lord of the Flies

Survival Instincts: Lessons from The Lord of the Flies

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to analyze and discuss the major themes, symbols, and characters in 'The Lord of the Flies'

Introduce the learning objective and explain how it relates to the overall purpose of the lesson.

What do you already know about the book 'The Lord of the Flies'?

About the Author

William Golding, born in 1911, was a British novelist, playwright, and poet. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983.

Provide a brief background on the author to give context to the book.

Plot Overview

A group of British boys are stranded on a deserted island and must find a way to survive. However, their attempts at civilization quickly devolve into savagery and chaos.

Give a brief summary of the book's plot to provide context for the following slides.

Themes

Some of the major themes in 'The Lord of the Flies' include the inherent evil of human nature, the dangers of mob mentality, and the importance of maintaining order and civilization.

Discuss the major themes in the book and encourage students to share their own thoughts and interpretations.

Symbols

Several symbols appear throughout the book, including the conch shell, the signal fire, and the 'beast'. These symbols represent important ideas and themes in the book.

Explore the symbolism in the book and ask students to share their own interpretations of the symbols.

Characters

The main characters in the book include Ralph, Piggy, Jack, and Simon. Each character represents different aspects of human nature and contributes to the overall themes of the book.

Discuss the major characters in the book and ask students to analyze their motivations and actions.

Discussion: Civilization vs. Savagery

The conflict between civilization and savagery is a major theme in the book. Divide into groups and discuss the ways in which the boys attempt to maintain order and civilization, as well as the ways in which they descend into savagery.

Divide students into small groups and encourage them to have a discussion about the conflict between civilization and savagery in the book.

Creative Writing: A New Ending

In groups, create a new ending to the book. Consider how the outcome would change if certain events happened differently and how the book's overall themes would be affected.

Divide students into small groups and encourage them to think creatively about how the book could end differently.

Critical Analysis: Golding's Message

What message do you think William Golding was trying to convey in 'The Lord of the Flies'? In groups, analyze the book's major themes, symbols, and characters to determine Golding's message and how it applies to our lives today.

Divide students into small groups and encourage them to critically analyze the book to determine the author's message.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 'The Lord of the Flies' is a powerful and thought-provoking book that explores important themes and ideas. By analyzing the book's characters, symbols, and themes, we can gain a deeper understanding of human nature and the dangers of mob mentality.

Summarize the main points of the lesson and encourage students to reflect on what they have learned.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.