The Lord of the Flies
Literature Circle/Novel Study Unit
Synopsis:
This classic debut novel from William Golding follows a group of English schoolchildren
stranded on a deserted island following the crash of their airplane. Readers are quickly drawn
into the boys' increasingly brutal world as they become divided in a bitter power struggle that
exposes the darkest elements of human nature. Masterfully written, this adventure novel
imparts valuable lessons about how easily society can slide into barbarism.
Congratulations! You have been given the opportunity to read, discuss and analyze a
wonderful book. You will meet with your group 6 times. During these 6 sessions, you will be
required to discuss specific sections of the novel, as well as share the specific and unique task
that you are assigned for that particular passage. Additionally, there will be a few questions to
answer clearly and with detail for each section. Please ensure that your “role” as well as your
questions are completed before you meet with your group.
Without your participation during circle discussion (ie. if you do not attend, or if you do
not read and/or complete your role and/or complete your questions), you, as well as your
group members, will lose valuable time and information regarding the important aspect that
you were supposed to bring to the table. This study will only be successful if everyone
actively participates.
Roles:
1. Discussion Questions and Leading the “Talk”: Come up with 5 thoughtful and
debatable discussion questions for each group meeting. Ensure that you create all
your questions before the scheduled group meetings, as well as some point form
answers and responses to them. You will be beginning the meeting with your group
by posing your questions and allowing answers, questions and debate for each,
2. Figurative Language and Highlighting Language Use: As a literary critic, you need to
note at least 4 important literary devices for each group meeting. You should look
for things like irony, humor, metaphor, symbolism, inciting moment, foil characters,
and other significant devices. For each device include a quote or paraphrase –
remembering to cite all references. Also be sure to label the device. During the
meeting, you will go over these devices and examples for your group, allowing for
discussion and questioning from other members.
3. Character Development and Conflict: Throughout each of the sections, character and
conflict will be evolving. You need to identify internal and external conflicts evident
within the section of text, using textual proof (with proper citations) to voice to your
group members. In terms of character development, focus on relationships, character
types, evolution of character, traits, and effectiveness of character(s). You need to be
as specific as possible, again, using proper textual proof. This is an analysis and it is up
for discussion during your group’s “book talk.”
4. Highlight Significant Quotations: Through this section, look for significant passages
that aid in the understanding of the text or narrative form. Perhaps in this section, the
setting (and all that it encompasses) is worth noting. Perhaps the character
development in this section is important. Using your judgment and analytical skills,
highlight 2 or 3 important quotations and analyze them, using the previously taught
format.
PLUS: Completing the QUESTIONS assigned for each section.
Requirements
- You must have your role completed before meeting with your group.
- You need to organize and keep all of your work (each session responsibility) to
submit at the end of the unit for assessment
- With your group members, you must choose and organize each responsibility for
each group member for each session. Everyone will need to do one or two roles
twice – the order is up to you.
ENG 3U Novel Study
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Name:__________________________
Session #
Chapter (up to
Session Info
Page #’s
Meeting Dates
and including)
Session 1
Chapter 1-2
7-47
Session 2
Chapter 3-4
48-75
Session 3
Chapter 5-6
76-108
Session 4
Chapter 7-8
109-144
Session 5
Chapter 9-10
145-168
Session 6
Chapter 11-12
169-202
Groups:
1. Kelly, Cole, Lina, Marie-France, Jessie
2. Anthony, Melissa, Tessah, Blade, Jenna
3. Antonio, Ben, Sharuna, Cody
4. Nick, Kaitlyn, Brandon, Sebastain,
5. Abigail, Joe, Luke, Logitha
My Role
Questions
Please complete on a separate piece of paper. Remember to use specific details in your
responses. These responses should be 5-8 sentences in length.
Session 1: Chapters 1-2
1. Jack immediately attempts to present himself as powerful and mature. How does he
demonstrate this to the group?
2. What are 3 of Ralph’s first decisions as chief and why are they important?
3. Identify a symbol of power and explain your choice.
4. Use 2 quotations from chapter 2 to explain the significance of the title “Fire on the
Mountain.”
Session 2: Chapters 3-4
1. What is the primary conflict that exists between Jack and Ralph?
2. Describe the place that Simon retreats to alone.
3. What difference do masks make for Jack and the hunters? Why?
Session 3: Chapters 5-6
1. What is the purpose of Jack’s speech at the assembly?
2. What different ideas to each of the boys (Jack, Ralph, Piggy, Simon) have of the
beast?
3. What “sign came down from the world of grownups”?
4. Explain how the rift between Jack and Ralph is growing.
Session 4: Chapters 7-8
1. Why is Ralph now caught up in the hunt?
2. Why do the boys argue about who will continue searching for the beast? What will it
prove?
3. What is happening with Simon, mentally and physically, as he retreats to his secret
area?
4. What is different about Jack and his crew now that they have separated from Ralph?
5. Use 2 quotations from chapter 8 to explain the significance of the title “Gift for the
Darkness”
Session 5: Chapters 9-10
1. What does Simon discover about the beast?
2. Why do ALL the boys participate in the chant and dance?
3. Who is the beast and how is he killed?
4. Why does Piggy refuse to acknowledge what happened to Simon?
Session 6: Chapters 11-12
1. Use 2 quotations from chapter 11 to explain the significance of the title “Castle Rock.”
2. Why does Piggy want to carry the conch in Chapter 11? Also, what is the significance
of the broken conch in Chapter 12?
3. What happens to Piggy? How? Why?
4. Track the three deaths that occur throughout the entire text. How are they different?
How are they acknowledged?
5. What changes happen for Ralph in Chapter 12? Consider the word choice Golding uses
when describing Ralph’s actions.
6. What does the Naval Officer symbolize?
7. What is “the darkness of man’s heart” for which Ralph weeps?