Author's Methods continued

Practice question for you guys: What methods are used by Golding to convey the idea that the boys are slowly using their identity.

The idea of moving from lack of understanding to understanding, from ignorance to enlightenment is a concept that is often explored in a variety of texts from 'Twilight' to 'The Day of the Triffids'.  This idea is used in Shakespeare's 'King Lear', in Ridley Scott's 'Alien' and a score of other texts.  Can you think of any?

In all these texts, their authors use various methods to explore the transition from unknowing to knowing.  It is important that you identify them in whatever text we're studying; you may think of them under the term 'technique'.  Think of similes, metaphors, alliteration, patterns in structure, imagery.

Use the board below to get you started.  It maps some ideas on imagery, specifically the imagery of light and dark, but for a better response do not confine yourself to a single method.

From the Board

The idea of power in the novel is a great subject. Who has it? Who doesn't?

Arguably none of the boys have power as they are all at the mercy of the island and its effects on them; or they are at the mercy of instinct.

An interesting discussion might be whether Jack uses instinct as an excuse to actively descend into savagery and chaos having been at the antithesis (other end of the scale) of this at the beginning of the novel. He is certainly an extreme character, after all he will not allow his choristers to take of their gowns despite the fact it is baking: Ralph is so hot he trails his sweater behind him. One of the boys is close to passing out when they dutifully line up, in chapter one, as Jack demands to know where the "man with the trumpet" is.

So, does Jack actively descend into savagery? Do the other boys merely follow him from a sense of fear?

Ralph is naturally powerful: he is a natural leader, but this is not enough. Good leadership does not mean peace, harmony and safety will follow.

The conch is a symbol of power, but what does its destruction signify towards the end of the novel when it explodes "into a thousand white fragments and [ceases] to exist?


Simon is also arguably a powerful figure as he realises what the pig on the stick truly represents. It speaks to him, but this can be seen as his crazed imaginings or as a true supernatural event: that the pig is actually a devil made flesh by the boys. He has the ability to bring reason and understanding to the boys, to remove the power of ignorance and fear. He knows that the 'Beast' is just the body of the parachutist for instance and he also realises that the boys are worshipping a figure of evil that seeks to control and destroy them.

Does the need, by the author, to kill off Simon show that the author believes reason and freedom from ignorance and fear is not within the grasp of Mankind? That Mankind is doomed?

Simon can be likened to a Christ-like figure.  The important thing here is the word 'like'.  Christ was a saviour, but is Simon?  Christ died for our sins so that sin did not have authority over us and Christians believe that he accomplished that.  Now you don't have to be a Christian to appreciate that htis was the intention and is believed to be the outcome and then apply this to 'Lord of the Flies'.  Christ was successful, but is Simon successful in the same way?

Christ's death rescued our souls, but does Simon rescue the souls of the boys?

Eventually Ralph says 'That was murder', in relation to Simon's death.  He recognises that he partook in the murder of his friend despite the frenzied nature of the attack, he acted savagely and killed another person.  Perhaps this revelation rescues Piggy and Ralph, but the other boys don't seem to be bothered by the death or simply try to escape the truth by ignoring it.

Unpicking the Detail

In Section A of the exam you will be expected to respond to a question in a very familiar style.  We have taught all of you, over the years, to use the PEE(E) paragraph structure: Point, Evidence, Explain and Extend.  As your teachers have told you the extension portion of this paragraph style is extremely useful to signpost to the examiner that you are going deeper, by either examining structure, meaning or attitudes.  For instance in your extension you might unpick why Golding uses the word ‘fair’ to describe Ralph:

For example: “When Ralph is introduced Golding uses the word ‘fair’ to present his hair colour, of course, but not only does he create the image of a somewhat Aryan and perfect child in appearance, by using the word ‘fair’ he could actually be portraying Ralph as someone who is able to make reasonable judgements, who has a good moral and ethical understanding and who, by nature, looks for and provides equality and justice.”

This is ‘unpicking’, where you make a meal out of something that seems small, but actually has a wider relevance to the novel.  Also, if you look up the word ‘Aryan’, you’ll find that you could expand this extension teaser.  Be mindful that the word ‘Aryan’ is not supplied by the author, but this is a post-war text so the term is extremely relevant.

In the comments box below show your ability to unpick language used in a section chosen by you.