English 9 Intensified
March 2014
Lord of the Flies: Final Writing Assignment
Next class, you will write an essay in class on one of the topic below related to Lord of the Flies. In preparation for
writing this essay, you should:
 Read the essay topics below carefully;
 Choose the topic you will write on;
 Do some preliminary planning of your essay.
You will be permitted to bring notes only on this piece of paper to help you in writing your essay. You will also be
able to use the Lord of the Flies book.
Topics for Essay:
1. Human Nature: Basically good or basically bad? Write an essay defending one of the three positions about
human nature described below. In supporting your position, you can present evidence from (1) your experience, (2)
from history, (3) from social philosophers such as Hobbes, Rousseau, or Locke, or (4) from Lord of the Flies or
other works of literature.
1.A.
William Golding (and Hobbes) is right. Without institutions of government and control, humans revert to a
state of competition, greed, and savagery. Human nature, without the “civilizing” control of laws, tradition,
etc., is more evil than good. In addition, because humans are flawed, human institutions are also flawed
and unable to prevent, ultimately, the breakdown of civilization.
1.B.
William Golding is wrong (and Rousseau is right). Humans are naturally good. It is civilization and its
traditions and institutions (capitalism, materialism, education, religion) that turn humans “evil.” The greed,
competition, rivalry, violence, etc. that we see in humans does not come from basic human nature. Rather,
these are behaviors that are learned and reinforced by our so-called civilization. Humans in their natural
state (the “noble savage”) would live in harmony with each other and their environment.
1.C.
Both sides are wrong. (Locke and others are right.) Humans are not perfect but they can, through their
reason, create ways of organizing and governing society (e.g., democracy, free markets, respect for human
rights) that will last and will allow all people to live in peace and prosperity. Humans naturally have
sufficient intellectual resources, and sufficient natural goodness, to develop ways to live in societies in
peace. (“Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes
democracy necessary.” Reinhold Niebuhr, 1882-1971)
2.
Dueling Themes: What is the real theme of Lord of the Flies? Write an essay supporting one of the two
positions described below regarding the “real” theme of Lord of the Flies. Your essay should take a clear
position on the question and should support your position with evidence from the novel.
2.A.
William Golding’s most important message in Lord of the Flies (i.e., the real theme) is that human nature is
ultimately controlled by evil instincts. Without sufficient social control (rules, laws, good government,
effective social education), this basic evil nature will eventually come to the surface. Therefore, the
symbols of the conch and Piggy’s glasses, and the characters of Simon and Piggy (and their fate), are
important thematic elements in the book. To understand the book, the reader must understand the deeper
aspects of these objects and characters.
2.B.
William Golding’s most important message in Lord of the Flies (i.e., the real theme) is that people,
especially children, are vulnerable to being led astray by charismatic leaders (e.g., Jack, Hitler, Stalin),
especially when these leaders can (seem to) present an alternative to fear or to “bad times” or to unpleasant
responsibilities. Therefore, Jack is the most important character in this book. He is the “evil influence”
and to understand this theme it is important to trace his actions and evolution through the book.
A good essay will have the following characteristics:
1. An introductory paragraph that introduces the topic in a way that assumes that the reader has not read the
essay question. It begins with a broad, interesting introductory sentence, and then narrows the focus until
ending with the thesis statement.
2. A thesis statement placed at the end of the first paragraph.
 A thesis statement is a one-sentence summary of the main point you will be making in your essay.
 A thesis statement takes a stand and presents an opinion. It should not, however, be introduced with
phrases such as “I think”, or “I believe”, or “In my opinion.”
 A thesis statement can be supported (or proven) with facts and details in the essay.
3. At least three body paragraphs.
 Each body paragraph has a clear topic, presented in a topic sentence (usually the first sentence in the
paragraph).
 The topic of each body paragraph clearly relates to and supports an aspect of the thesis statement.
 The topic of each paragraph is argued through evidence. (Evidence may be detailed references and
examples from the book, especially if you are writing on theme. It may be from experience, history, or
other works of literature if you are writing on human nature.) Quotations from the book are followed by
page number.
 Supporting evidence is followed by commentary, which clearly connects the evidence to the claim made
in the topic sentence.
4. Supporting evidence that is relevant, useful, thoughtful and accurate.
5. A concluding paragraph that begins with a restatement of the thesis (reworded) and a summary of your main
arguments. It ends with a sentence or two of broad reflection on the significance of your topic and thesis.
Maximum Points: 70