9-28/10-1 Themes

Lesson:
We completed the first part of our Lord of the Flies final in a group of two or three. If absent, please complete the activity below on your own. The outline form can be found on the assignments page:

Lord of the Flies
by
William Golding

Final Part One: THEME

The THEME of any work of literature is the main idea or the message the author is conveying about life,
human nature, or the human condition.

One way to determine a novel’s theme is to consider the main conflict(s) presented in the story, and look closely at how the author chooses to resolve the conflict. By examining who or what the author chooses to have “win,” we can usually understand the author’s message.

For this assignment, you will explain Golding’s theme as you interpret it,
and creatively explore whether or not you agree with him.

Step 1: On a separate piece of paper:
∑ write (or type) a brief retelling of the climax of the novel – the high point of the tension where the primary conflict “takes a turn” and we see who/what will “win” (one or two sentences)
∑ quote the passage that you think best represents the climactic moment, and cite it by page number
∑ give a brief explanation of your reasons for choosing this point in the story as the climax
(Hint: remember the definition of “climax” and use it to explain your choice!)
(5 points)

Step 2: Carefully consider the conflicts of the novel, the climax you cited in Step 1, and Golding’s resolution. Who/what “wins” in the story? Based on this, what do you think the author is telling us about human nature? About civilization? In other words, what is William Golding’s main theme?

On the form attached to this paper, outline a five-paragraph essay about Golding’s main theme in Lord of the Flies. This outline can be used as the basis for writing an extra credit essay if you choose.

Step 3: Consider whether or not you agree with Goding. What different theme might you want the novel to communicate to readers? How might Golding have changed the outcome of the novel if he had wanted to convey your message instead?