Considering and understanding allusions in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain some of the allusions Golding makes in the novel and why he makes them.
Key learning points
- Arguably, through the novel, Golding alludes to the 'Garden of Eden' story in the Bible.
- The Garden of Eden parable recounts the story of original sin - the idea that man is born innately sinful.
- Golding draws parallels between the boys' transgressions on the island and Adam and Eve's transgression in Genesis.
- Arguably, the "beast" inside man tempts man into sinning, thereby corrupting his virtuosity.
- Golding alludes to Milton’s 'Paradise Lost' by using a symbolic title that represents the concept of innate evil.
Keywords
Allusion - when a writer makes references to another story or text
Transgression - an act that goes against a rule or law
Virtuous - innocent and pure of heart
To violate - to break or fail to comply with a rule
Common misconception
Students might try to draw parallels between Jack and the snake from the Garden of Eden.
Arguably, the temptation is not Jack himself, but the savagery and evil that resides within him. It is the "beast" within him that tempts him to evil.
Teacher tip
You could set the Garden of Eden Bible story for extra reading.
Equipment
A copy of the Faber & Faber 1997 edition of 'Lord of the Flies' is essential for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is arguably the central theme of 'Lord of the Flies'?
Q2.What is symbolism?
Q3.Which character never surrenders to savagery in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Q4.What is the "beast" in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Q5.An is when a writer makes references to another story or text.
Q6.Someone who ends up in prison has transgressed. What might 'to transgress' mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following stories does Golding allude to 'Lord of the Flies'?
Q2.Where did the concept of 'original sin' supposedly come from?
Q3.What might the fire in Chapter 2 of 'Lord of the Flies' symbolise?
Q4.Who is Beelzebub?
Q5.Which of the following sentences about 'Lord of the Flies' uses the word "virtuous" correctly?
Q6.Why might Golding have chosen the title 'Lord of the Flies' and alluded to Beelzebub?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Considering and understanding allusions in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Considering and understanding allusions in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'Lord of the Flies' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.