Lord of the Flies
Major Assignment
You are to write a literary essay on The Lord of the Flies.
The question is: What is one theme that William Golding explores in Lord of the Flies and how does
he communicate this theme?
The first thing that YOU MUST DO IS CHOOSE A THEME in the novel. Everyone in the class can
have a different theme. Remember a theme is what is being said about a topic! (very simple example:
Topic: Love Theme: If you fall in love, you will get hurt).
Possible themes:
 Loss of innocence
 Blindness and sight
 Power corrupts, power unites
 The dark side of human nature
 Nature of evil
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Loss of identity
Fear of the unknown
Civilization versus savage
Anarchy
The need for civilization and order
NEXT CHOOSE A WAY IN WHICH YOU WILL APPROACH THIS THEME: 1) Define your
argument/thesis statement, and 2) Find and organize into supporting paragraphs the evidence
which will support your argument. PEE (Point, Example, Explain)
POSSIBLE WAYS TO APPROACH THIS THEME:
1.
For example you could choose one character and discuss what he represents, how he
changes, how he compares to other characters and their fate. Or choose several characters
and discuss what they symbolize and how they change in regards to your theme.
2.
Choose a theme and write an essay explaining how and why the boys move or change in
regards to this theme. For example how the boys move from being civilized at the start of the
novel to savages at the end. Keep in mind Golding’s purposes and how it is revealed by the
use of characters, events, setting, etc…
3.
Choose a theme and discuss the importance of the symbols used to reveal understanding
about this theme. For example how Ralph, Jack, Simon, the signal fire, and the conch are
symbols for civilization that slowly give way to savage side of human nature.
4.
Any other ideas in relationship to the novel and an overarching theme within it. Other
possible approaches may include plot (what events happen that represent a change in the
atmosphere that develop the theme), setting, narration, structure, use of language, imagery.
Whichever you choose, you should plan your response carefully, considering what you are going to say
in each paragraph. You must back up your ideas with specific quotations or examples from the text.
Provide a POINT, provide an EXAMPLE and EXPLAIN (PEE).
You cannot use any outside sources for this essay. All the ideas must be your own or ones we
discussed in class!
First class: Write an outline – you may write out the thesis statement in complete sentences and have
marked quotes in the novel. EVERYTHING ELSE is in point form notes. At the end of the first class
your outline will be collected. Teacher will give brief feedback on outline.
Second class: Write a rough draft and reread to make corrections in grammar and ideas.
At the end of the second class EVERYTHING will be collected. This will be returned to you in the
following class.
Final Class: Rewriting your rough draft and turn in for a final grade. At the end of this class
EVERYTHING (draft, outline and final) will be collected.
NOTHING WILL LEAVE THE CLASSROOM
*You may have your book here for all three classes in order to find quotations if you have not
found them already. Your novel should have no written sentences in it or on sticky notes. It will be
checked that nothing is written inside the novel.