Year 9 - English
Considering and understanding allusions in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'
'Lord of the Flies'
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils read and explore 'The Lord of the Flies' by considering Golding's message about human nature. They first read the novel, before analysing the characters Ralph, Simon, Jack and Piggy. They then look at setting and symbolism before planning and writing an essay on human nature.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain some of the allusions Golding makes in the novel and why he makes them.
Key Notes
- Arguably, through the novel, Golding alludes to the 'Garden of Eden' story in the Bible.
- The Garden of Eden parable recounts the story of original sin - the idea that man is born innately sinful.
- Golding draws parallels between the boys' transgressions on the island and Adam and Eve's transgression in Genesis.
- Arguably, the "beast" inside man tempts man into sinning, thereby corrupting his virtuosity.
- Golding alludes to Milton's 'Paradise Lost' by using a symbolic title that represents the concept of innate evil.
Vocabulary To Learn
- allusion: when a writer makes references to another story or text
- transgression: an act that goes against a rule or law
- virtuous: innocent and pure of heart
- to violate: to break or fail to comply with a rule
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students might try to draw parallels between Jack and the snake from the Garden of Eden.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Arguably, through the novel, Golding alludes to the 'Garden of Eden' story in the Bible. The Garden of Eden parable recounts the story of original sin - the idea that man is born innately sinful.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'allusion'
when a writer makes references to another story or text.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students might try to draw parallels between Jack and the snake from the Garden of Eden. Correction: Arguably, the temptation is not Jack himself, but the savagery and evil that resides within him. It is the "beast" within him that tempts him to evil.
More Lessons In This Unit
- An exploration of Chapter 1 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 10 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 11 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 12 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 2 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 3 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 4 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 5 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 6 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 7 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 8 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- An exploration of Chapter 9 of 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Considering ideas of rules and human nature in relation to 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Considering Jack's dictatorial leadership and antagonism in 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Considering the presentation of Ralph in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Exploring Golding's message about human behaviour in 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Exploring Simon's role as an outsider and as Jack's foil in 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Exploring structure, allegory and genre in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Golding's use of setting in 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Golding's use of symbolism in 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Planning a written response on human nature in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- The dehumanisation and death of Piggy in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
- Writing a response on human nature in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' Study Guide
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