Lord of the Flies
Analysis Guide
Bildungsroman
• A story where the protagonist comes of
age
• A sensitive person who looks for
answers in a complicated situation.
• An emotional loss usually leads the
protagonist on his/her journey.
Deux ex Machina
• A situation where a seemingly
unsolvable situation is resolved abruptly
through an unexpected sourcs
• Technically, “GOD in the MACHINE”
• Popularized by Aristotle
Identify a Christ Figure
• Ideas Surrounding:
– Birth
– Characteristics
– Actions
– Appearance
– Death
Christ Figure: Birth
• Character is born in a unique manner.
Mother is self sacrificing and virtuous.
Derivative of the name “Mary”
• Divine or royal father
• Name is Chris, Christopher, or initials JC
• Childhood is vague up until age 30
• Character is considered far away from
home or out of place
Christ Figure: Characteristics
• Misunderstood, considered to be crazy
or odd
• Sensitive or sympathetic to others
• Champions the hungry or desperate
• Often sees a ‘truth’ that no one else
can
• Surrounded or associated with light
Christ Figure: Actions
• Performs ‘miracles’
• Celibate
• Possesses a ‘dual identity’ of
something mortal and immortal
• Persecuted or punished for ideals,
which are generally associated with
justice or truth
Christ Figure: Actions
• Character represents hope to others
• Able to converse with the devil or evil force.
This force to tempt the character away from
his ideals
• Is betrayed by those close to him, or is denied
by others who know him
• Character has a ‘cross to bear’as emotional
or physical issue
• Surrounding characters utter “God”, “my
God”, or “Jesus Christ!” around him
Christ: Appearance
• Receives injury on the forehead, palms,
hands and feet, or the breast
• Appears poor through tattered clothes
or barefoot
• Character is portrayed with arms spread
Christ: Death
• Character dies in a way associated with
his or her ideals
• Unjust death
• The character is reborn or returns from
death-- physically or emotionally
Christ Figures: Examples
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Superman I, II
James Cole from 12 Monkeys
John Connor in Terminator
Blade
John Locke from “Lost”
Gandolf from Two Towers
Who Needs a Break?
• Who: used as the subject in a
dependent or independent clause
• Whom: used as an object
• Titles: all words are capitalized except
for articles and prepositions.
• LIVE IT, LEARN IT, LOVE IT
Group Think
• What are the elements, dangers, and
powers of ‘group think’?
• ‘Group Think’ is when the mob moves
relentlessly with limited social norm
awareness or morality
Group Think
• Abilene Paradox: a group of people
collectively decide on a course of action
that is opposite of the preferences of
any individual. The individual does not,
therefore, raise any objection.
Group Think
• Ochlocracy: Mob rule-- decisions are
made by a mass of people
Group Think
• Deindividuation: Individuals loosen or
forego their moralities, ideals, and
opinions and adopt blindly those of the
group
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Ch 6,7 Questions:
Copy them and answer
What is the ‘sign’ from the adult world at the
beginning of CH6?
Who discovers it? What do they believe they have
found?
What does Simon assure Ralph, to which Ralph
responds, “You’re batty”? WHAT DOES HE
MEAN?
Describe Ralph’s actions as he participates in the
hunt reenactment
Who goes to tell Piggy that they will be out past
dark? What does this represent about Piggy?
CH8 questions:Copy and
answer
• WHAT HAPPENS that makes Jack form
his own tribe?
• What does Jack do with the sow’s head,
and WHY?
• With whom does Simon have a
conversation at the end of CH8?