English 20 - Lord of the Flies: Mind map Project

Essential Questions:

1. Do all things happen for a reason?

2. To what extent is power needed for humans to survive?

3. What makes an individual powerful?

4. Do individuals control groups or do groups control individuals?

5. How do fear and desire for acceptance influence human behavior?

How do fear and desire for acceptance influence human behavior?

Fear influences human behavior because it restricts people from doing things that they have the potential to do. Desire for acceptance affects human behavior because individuals forget to be themselves and every so often abandon their morals and values in order to be accepted.

• The setting of the novel is a vital factor in the effectiveness of the conveying of the theme. The setting is a tropical island in the pacific which is the only place that the writer could successfully use for the novel because on that island the boys could be and were completely and entirely detached from humanity and civilization, and yet could still survive on their own. The setting advances and develops the plot because the boys are secluded, yet provided with all their needs and essentials to survive. The setting also exposes the characters personalities and how they deal and interpret certain situations through their response to the island and certain places they come across.

• The conch - The conch is a tool to build a society on the island. Through the power of the conch Ralph is able to establish gatherings. Without the conch it would have been very problematic to get things systematized and to get to know who exactly is on the island.

• The island - The Island signifies both good and evil. It paints a picture for a new independent life free of any adults. So at first it is an ideal utopia for the kids. The island is lively, there are animals and lots of fruits to make food of. It has an enjoyable and pleasant effect which, however, is deceptive due to the fruits causing diarrhea and stomach-aches as well as the heat which is overwhelming. Also the discovery of the beasties, have caused the “littluns” to have nightmares.

• The beast – a strange situation on the island leads the boys to fear the beast. Simon’s recognition concludes that there is no real beast, which illustrates that there is only the power of the boys’ fear. Jack uses this fear as power to gain more and more supporters. In reality he is the one being a beast by building up a reign of terror.

• Piggy’s glasses- They express intelligence and education, and therefore produce a certain sense of balance between Piggy’s physical weakness and clumsiness, and his mental strength.

• The pig - pigs provide the boys with the meat and nutrients they require to survive on the secluded island. But it also is of symbolic importance. It can be related to Piggy and his situation. The moment Jack and his group of predators start to hunt and kill the pigs they start to show more brutality and more violent behavior to Piggy. The butchery of the first pig is therefore a foreshadowing of Piggy’s murder.

The End

Piggy's glasses are an example of visual representation as they make him look smarter than the other boys, which becomes known later in the book as he helps the group build essential objects. The boys jackets seem nice and well kept but on the inside of the jacket, it is torn and dirty. this representation shows how the boys look from the outside as well kept children who would cause no harm but on the inside they are evil, enjoy violence and savagery.

English 20

Lord of the Flies

Ralph

- Charismatic protagonist

- Represents order, civilization and leadership

- Has power and influence over the other boys

- Strong morality (wanting to be rescued and return back to society)

- Shows that evil exists in everyone when taking part in killing Simon

Jack

- Shows instincts of savagery, violence, and wanting power

- Opposite of Ralph

- Like Macbeth, desires power above anything else

- Becomes savage, giving him more power

- Leader of group as all members embrace his morals and become violent

- Manipulates members of the group by using their fears to control them

- Antagonist

Simon

- Different from everyone else

- Spiritual human kindness connected to nature

- Represents essential human goodness

- Willing to work for the good of the community

- Nice to the younger boys

- Morals remain static and not influenced by the struggles on the island

Mind Map Project

By: Maria ANd Divia

Lord of the Flies

Three Quintessential Quotations

By: William Golding

"Fear can't hurt you any more than a dream. There aren't any beasts to be afraid of on this island . . . Serve you right if something did get you, you useless lot of cry-babies!"

Explanation: Jack in this quote shows how someone with no fear acts in society, as he feels anger that he wasnt elected as a group leader but still wants to show he is superior by scaring the others by telling them something will happen to them in turn.

"Life is scientific, that's what it is. In a year or two when the world is over they'll be traveling to Mars and back. I know there isn't no beast—not with claws and all that I mean—but I know there isn't no fear either. Unless we get frightened of people."

Explanation: Piggy being rational, understands there is no beast but the fear that is developing is the fear of others on the island who like hunting and when that fear sets in, the leaders of the group have the greatest power over you. This quote also shows what will happen later in the book as people become frightened of others.

"I expect the beast disguised himself. Perhaps we'd better keep on the right side of him, anyhow. You can't tell what he might do. The tribe considered this; and then were shaken, as if by a flow of wind. The chief saw the effect of his words and stood abruptly."

Explanation: This quote from the narrator explains that knowing someones fears allows for the manipulation of these people into listening to you. As well as fear being a leaders most powerful tool to control the society.

• “The essence of humanity can corrupt as there is an unbalance between pure and evil.”

EXPLANATION:

This quote relates to the book in a way that it illustrates how humanity is eventually bound to corrupt due to the natural unbalance between pure and evil. The kids on the island initially started off as a team and listened to each other, but eventually as time went on they became corrupted and eventually started to kill each other which ties in with the unbalance between pure and evil.

The author's style of writing uses many different words and synonyms. Mr. Golding applies personal perspectives to his story telling, creating the effect that the narrator doesn't show their knowledge about what is yet to come. He creates an enhanced visual of the settings by providing in depth descriptions. His writing consists of metaphors, similes, assonance, alliterations, and personifications. Tension is created in the passages by the wide range of devices and the diversity of words being used.