Lord of the Flies
OverDrive Read Series
on Goodreads (25)
What’s inside...
Take your understanding of Lord of the Flies by William Golding to a whole new level with Shmoop's award-winning learning guides, available on your favorite eBook reader. Shmoop eBooks provide in-depth character analyses, summaries, themes, symbols, and trivia, with commentary from top university experts. Ideal for discovering connections to other literary works, history, current events, and pop culture, these interactive study guides are designed to enhance your appreciation and comprehension of literature, wherever you are. Take your understanding of Lord of the Flies by William Golding to a whole new level, anywhere you go: on a plane, on a mountain, in a canoe, under a tree. Or grab a flashlight and read Shmoop under the covers. Shmoop's award-winning learning guides are now available on your favorite eBook reader. Shmoop eBooks are like a trusted, fun, chatty, expert literature-tour-guide always by your side, no matter where you are (or how late it is at night) You'll find thought-provoking character analyses, quotes, summaries, themes, symbols, trivia, and lots of insightful commentary in Shmoop's literature guides. Teachers and experts from top universities, including Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Harvard have lovingly created these guides to get your brain bubbling. Shmoop is here to make you a better lover of literature and to help you discover connections to other works of literature, history, current events, and pop culture. These interactive study guides will help you discover and rediscover some of the greatest works of all time. For more info, check out http://www.shmoop.com/literature/
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-16
Length
88 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Ralphie
Eric
Sam
Simon
Piggy
Roger
Jack Merridew
Discussion points
What do you think the island represents in the story?
How do the characters change when they are away from adult supervision?
What role does leadership play in the book, and how does it affect the group's dynamics?
What symbols in the story stood out to you, and what do you think they represent?
How do you think the story would have been different if there were adults on the island?
Tip: Role play these questions
Ask open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking, rather than questions with yes or no answers.
Prioritize listening, and let your child express their thoughts and interpretations freely before adding your perspectives.
Discuss the moral dilemmas faced by the characters to help your child understand the complexities of their decisions.
Relate the themes of the book to real-life scenarios that your child might find relatable, enhancing their understanding and empathy.
Encourage your child to reflect on different characters’ perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of empathy and viewpoint.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of rules and structure
Explanation: In 'Lord of the Flies', the breakdown of rules among the boys leads to chaos and savagery. Initially, they establish rules to maintain order, but as they are ignored, the group spirals into barbarism.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of following rules and maintaining order in their daily lives, from home to school, ensuring a harmonious environment.
Example Lesson: The consequences of groupthink
Explanation: The novel shows how groupthink can lead individuals to make irrational decisions. The boys, influenced by each other, make decisions that prioritize conformity over moral correctness.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value their own moral compass and the importance of thinking independently, rather than blindly following the crowd.
Example Lesson: The innate capacity for good and evil
Explanation: Golding explores the theme that every individual possesses an innate capacity for good and evil, demonstrated by the characters' descent into violence and their moments of remorse and clarity.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of making conscious choices about their behavior and treating others with empathy and respect.
Example Lesson: The importance of leadership and responsibility
Explanation: The boys’ struggles with leadership roles underline the importance of responsible leadership. Ralph attempts to lead with a focus on rescue and cooperation, contrasting with Jack's authoritarian style.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the significance of taking on leadership roles responsibly and considerately, whether in school projects or in other group activities.
Example Lesson: Effects of isolation on human behavior
Explanation: Being isolated from society, the boys in 'Lord of the Flies' exhibit drastic changes in behavior, showcasing how environment and isolation can impact human actions and mentality.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the significance of community and interaction, and how isolation might affect one’s behavior and decisions.