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Year 9 - English

Exploring Golding's message about human behaviour in '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 clearly explain the purpose of Golding's novel and his message about human behaviour.

Key Notes

  • Golding aims to provide an incisive insight into human behaviour.
  • Golding was horrified by the brutality he witnessed during the war, perpetrated by seemingly-ordinary people.
  • Golding used children for his exploration of human behaviour, arguably because they are considered innocent.
  • Golding suggests that all humans have an innate savageness within, which is suppressed by societal expectations.
  • Once these societal expectations are removed, arguably, this savageness is given space to emerge.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • inherent: used to describe a quality we are born with - something that is instinctive and natural
  • nurture: taking care of something - raising it through feeding it and protecting it from harm
  • brutality: extreme cruelty and/or violence
  • trait: a quality or characteristic, belonging to a person

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students think that Golding sits on the 'nature' side of the nature/nurture debate.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Golding aims to provide an incisive insight into human behaviour. Golding was horrified by the brutality he witnessed during the war, perpetrated by seemingly-ordinary people.

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

used to describe a quality we are born with - something that is instinctive and natural.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students think that Golding sits on the 'nature' side of the nature/nurture debate. Correction: Golding does not provide us with a concrete answer- he suggests that we all have the capacity (or the impulses) to behave sinfully, but it takes the right circumstances for brutality to emerge.

More Lessons In This Unit

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