Year 9 - English
Golding's use of setting in 'Lord of the Flies'
'Lord of the Flies'
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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 how the settings represent the characters.
Key Notes
- Golding uses contrasting imagery to present the island as a utopian paradise that has the potential to corrupt.
- Golding uses the setting to reflect the condition of the boys.
- Arguably, Golding uses the setting to foreshadow the boys' descent into savagery by the end of the novel.
- By the end of the novel, the island is unrecognisable due to the environmental damage the boys have caused.
- The boys harm their environment as much as they harm each other, showing mankind's capacity for destruction.
Vocabulary To Learn
- utopia: a perfect or idealistic world-like paradise
- foreshadow: when the writer makes subtle hints about future events
- devolution: descent into a lower or worse state
- to corrupt: to change someone from moral to immoral
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils think that the island is presented as idyllic in the first chapter.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Golding uses contrasting imagery to present the island as a utopian paradise that has the potential to corrupt. Golding uses the setting to reflect the condition of the boys.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'utopia'
a perfect or idealistic world-like paradise.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils think that the island is presented as idyllic in the first chapter. Correction: Whilst there are aspects of the description that present the island as idyllic, Golding's descriptions are characterised by a sense of threat in more ominous undertones. He achieves this through his use of dark and light and through his use of verbs.
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 and understanding allusions in Golding's '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 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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