#1570. Symbolism in Lord of the Flies

Literature, level: Middle
Posted Fri Feb 11 16:57:05 PST 2000 by Maeve O'Driscoll
Ardsley High School, Ardsley, NY
Materials Required: Overhead
Activity Time: One-two periods
Concepts Taught: Graphic Organizer for Pair/Share

Students complete a graphic organizer, finding the references indicated by the given page numbers. Tasks: to interpret the passages they find, writing their understanding of the object's symbolic meaning. "Visual Representation" allows for multisensory learning. [In addition, a helpful site is: www.gerenser.com/lotf/]

Name__________________________________________ Date_______________________
English 9R Mrs. O'Driscoll

William Golding's Lord of the Flies: The Importance of Symbolism

Directions: With your partner(s), complete the graphic organizer below for your assigned object (at left).
Using the page numbers given, find references to the assigned object and write them in the corresponding box.
Then, explain the object's symbolic meaning and draw a representation. Prepare to share your interpretations with the class.

Object Page # Specific Reference
Symbolic Meaning Visual Image

1)
Conch

P.22
140
185

2)
Rocks 81
180-181
192

3)
Island

10
81
201-202

4)
Glasses

34
168
201

5)
Fire

115
162
200

6)
Mask

63-64
140
178

7)
Lord of the Flies

143
185
205

8) Darkness

58
115
120

9) Mountain

68
115
118-119

10)
Water 13
153-154
181

11) Shelters

55
200

12)
Naval Officer
200-202
204

13)
Hair
(HW)

16
64
125

Notes: For "closure":

How would your understanding of the novel differ without knowledge of its symbols?