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Year 9 - English

An exploration of Chapter 3 of 'Lord of the Flies'

'Lord of the Flies'

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 and explore the key events in Chapter 3 of 'Lord of the Flies'.

Key Notes

  • Ralph and Simon are the only boys interested in trying to build shelters for warmth and safety.
  • Instead, the other boys' instincts is to play in the sea, free from the law and order of adults.
  • A rift forms as Ralph criticises Jack's lack of support in hut-building and failures with hunting.
  • Simon is presented as being helpful and seems at home in the beauty of nature.
  • Jack, on the other hand, wants to dominate nature by killing pigs.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • dialogue: conversation that is written for a book, play or film
  • cross purposes: not understanding each other because of different intentions
  • resentment: a feeling of anger because you have been forced to accept something that you do not like
  • rift: something that divides partners or friends
  • to immerse: to become completely involved in something

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may think that the rift in the novel is only between Ralph and Jack.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Ralph and Simon are the only boys interested in trying to build shelters for warmth and safety. Instead, the other boys' instincts is to play in the sea, free from the law and order of adults.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'dialogue'

conversation that is written for a book, play or film.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may think that the rift in the novel is only between Ralph and Jack. Correction: Draw attention to how the boys are increasingly living separately: Piggy is on his own, the "littluns" are a group by themselves and Simon sneaks away to be alone.

More Lessons In This Unit

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