# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Before beginning an answer, it is important that you plan it properly so that it is structured to the question. The bullet points that go with the question will help you to do this. You must also refer to the examiner's assessment objectives to ensure you have met the criteria.

Here is a structure that you could use for your answer:

1. Introduction. Ralph's character in the earlier part of the novel.

2. How Ralph's character changes as a result of his experiences.

3. What has become of Ralph by the end of the novel (the extract).

4. How this affects the reader's view of Ralph.

5. Conclusion. This extract marks the point of Ralph growing up.

Sample answers

Point 3 from the above structure would form the main part of an answer and look in detail at the given extract - as the question asks you to do.

Sample answer 1
Ralph has a realisation at this point in the book. His realisation is that the boys have done terrible things such as kill Simon and set fire to the island. The writer uses a simile here. Ralph also tries to think about what Jack has done but cannot do this. Ralph is covered in dirt and sweat. 'A filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose'. He has no civilisation left and he was once the most civilised. This makes the reader feel sorry for him. Ralph breaks down and cries which Golding says this is 'the first time on the island'. This is odd when you think about the awful time that Ralph has been through but he is so full of emotion that he cannot help it. Soon all the other boys are joining in as well. Ralph is crying because he is guilty of doing some bad things. All of this makes me feel very sorry for Ralph because he has been through a terrible experience.
Feedback comments - Not bad but room for improvement!

This answer shows a fair level of understanding of the text and an attempt to develop a personal response. However, there is not enough supportive evidence quoted or analysis attempted.

There is a limited attempt to analyse key vocabulary or literary devices. The use of a simile is noted but it is not explained what this is, what it means or why it is being used.

There is an attempt to recognise the importance of the boys all crying but why they are doing so is not explored.

There is a reference to the effect on an audience but this needs development.

There are some awkward uses of vocabulary. Sentences are correctly constructed and punctuated but not always phrased well.

Sample answer 2
I feel that by the end of the novel Ralph has had some awful experiences but that he has also matured as a person and has a much better understanding of human nature. He thinks back to his arrival on the island and how it was full of 'strange glamour'; now the reality is that it is just 'scorched up like dead wood'. Golding uses an image of deadness and waste here which also shows us how Ralph is feeling inside. Some things that have happened are so awful that Ralph cannot even think about them. Golding cleverly uses ellipsis for an unfinished thought when he writes 'Jack had...'. Ralph also cannot express his feelings in words and just looks at the naval officer 'dumbly'. It is as though language itself has completely broken down. The only sound he can make is crying and soon all the other boys join him; in one sense Ralph is still their leader. All aspects of civilisation have been stripped away from him and Ralph stands there crying with 'filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose'. However, deep inside himself he has realised what Simon knew all along that 'the darkness of man's heart' was the real Beast and that it had been inside them all the whole time.
Feedback comments - Much better!

There is strong evidence here of a very good understanding of the text and an informed personal response to Golding's writing. References are skilfully woven into the answer. The important image of the burned island is cleverly dealt with and shows an understanding of how Golding uses symbolism.

There is clear evidence of language analysis and ability to use correct terminology (image, ellipsis).

The moment when all the boys start to cry could have been explored further. Are they simply joining in with what Ralph is doing or have they had their own moments of understanding?

A more detailed attempt to look at the general effect of the passage on readers would further improve the answer.

A well-written answer which uses correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and which aims to develop complex written sentences and use advanced vocabulary.

Using the skills you have learned and revised, try answering the Lord of the Flies question. Time yourself and make sure you are meeting the examiner's . assessment objectives

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lord of the Flies - Preparing your answer - Sample exam question - GCSE English Literature Revision - BBC Bitesize

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Before beginning an answer, it is important that you plan it properly so that it is structured to the question. The bullet points that go with the question will help you to do this. You must also refer to the examiner's assessment objectives to ensure you have met the criteria.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The opening chapter of 'Lord of the Flies' is very effective in laying the foundation for the rest of the plot. Characters become instantly recognizable and significant. The surroundings around the characters become very clear and leave you with a vivid image in your mind whilst reading. Also, the use of the language helps the situation become familiar, with spectacular detail being during descriptions. All of these factors together help build a very strong and effective chapter as the script from then on becomes vaguely predictable, with the readers expecting to know the characters and lay out well enough to recognise their reactions to any/all situations that may arise.

The introduction of characters opens the chapter in suspense as all is not revealed immediately: " The fair boy & the fat boy." Golding's approach in the opening chapter to the characters is effective as it doesn't introduce them by name, but more by personality type. Upon reading this, you automatically believe you know the two characters and feel comfortable envisaging the two children stranded on an island rather young and clueless to the dangers of the island, with the concept of no food, water, shelter or food not phasing them. This also shows their immaturity, as a normal adult would immediately try to work a logical & strategic yet plausible plan of getting back to reality or how to survive. The fact that later on 'the fat boy' later is addressed by 'Piggy' strengthens the stereotype placed upon him, with 'the fair boy' being given quite a polite and gentle name of Ralph.

William Golding's use of descriptive language builds a clear image of the scenery: " All round him the long scar smashed into the jungle was a bath of heat". Such attention to detail allows us as the readers to be part of the story, placing us right in the scenery. The use of onomatopoeia such as 'smash' put emphasis on the beforehand scenes we aren't exposed to, as we aren't told they're in a plane crash, yet the fact the scar 'smashed' into the island lets us know it was something with pretty heavy impact, it is quite a violent term. Describing it as a 'Scar' also tells a story as you regard a scar as being something unsightly and unwelcomed, possibly damaging attractive scenery. It shows us that it has damaged the island significantly. The metaphor 'scar' may also imply that the damage caused was irreversible as scars often are, which in turn just emphasises the impact the children/previous events have had on the island.

The way the characters are portrayed hints at a possible chance of survival: "Nobody don't know we're here". During a conversation early on between Piggy & Ralph, Piggy intends to inform Ralph they're stranded as no-one actually knows they're there, but in matter of fact expresses that somebody does in fact know they're on the island. This is because the double negative comment actually contradicts itself, and by intending to say nobody knows their whereabouts' he actually does the opposite. This could be argued that Golding is doing this intentionally to push you to read on by leaving you, in a sense, subliminal messages. This also shows the importance of the characters personality type, as Piggy can be perceived as quite 'dopey', and only through him can William Golding voice such un-educated comments, and effectively and at the same time very cleverly hint at survival.

The conch acts as a means of authority and Ralph soon becomes graced with power: "The children gave him the same simple obedience that they had given to the men with megaphones". This shows Ralph as the natural leader and puts him in the same figure head roll as the parents. The conch shows authority and is soon likened to the megaphones of the parents. It almost shows Ralph as a religious symbol, as if he has the power of God now he has full control of the island, and everyone is at his lead while he stands on a rock taller than everyone there with the conch. It is argued that this is a very important factor during the opening chapter of 'Lord of the Flies' as you wonder whether the conch is going to fall into the wrong hands, and in turn, the authority and power that comes with it - soon over powering the natural but fair leader; Ralph.

Some of the aspects previously mentioned lead me to believe the 'Lord of the Flies' is going to be very eventful and could go either way in terms of surviving or making it off the island. After simply reading just the first chapter I find myself wanting to get answers to such questions as "How can a series of young boys create a survival plan and make it off the island?" or "was Piggy deliberately talking in double negatives to make us believe on thing contrary to another?" William Golding has created a very effective opening scene and should appeal to a vast audience, urging them to read on further after appealing so strongly during the opening chapter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The opening chapter of 'Lord of the Flies' is very effective in laying the foundation for the rest of the plot. Characters become instantly recognizable and significant. The surroundings around the characters become very clear and leave you with a vivid image in your mind whilst reading.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
All of the characters in Lord of the Flies are young schoolboys. They try to exist without the rules of adult society which would normally govern their behaviour. As with any group, some of the boys emerge as leaders and others become followers. Some behave well, most behave badly. A few demonstrate wisdom and maturity, while others become little better than savages.

Main characters

Secondary characters

Minor characters

Sam and Eric (Samneric)

The Littluns

The choir/hunters

Maurice

Robert

The naval officer

Social and historical context

The one exception is Piggy who seems to come from a different class and has had a different upbringing, meaning that, despite his obvious intelligence, he is treated as an outsider. In the novel, the boys start by trying to create a civilised democratic society, organised along the lines they would be familiar with. This, however, very soon falls apart.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lord of the Flies - Characters overview - Characters - Edexcel - GCSE English Literature Revision - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
All of the characters in Lord of the Flies are young schoolboys. They try to exist without the rules of adult society which would normally govern their behaviour. As with any group, some of the boys emerge as leaders and others become followers. Some behave well, most behave badly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome!

This study guide helps readers of Lord of the Flies by William Golding understand and interpret the novel. Included are concise chapter summaries, character analysis, explanation of themes and symbolism and much, much more! This site will guide you through the novel, quickly and easily. Enjoy.

This section has summaries of every chapter. They include the main action of the chapter and comments about how Golding builds the action and weaves into it the meaning of the novel. These summaries should not be used as substitutes for reading the novel.

Includes descriptions of all the main characters in the novel. They include the person's physical description (as taken from the novel, not the movie), plus comments on their actions and involvement with symbolism and theme.

This section attempts to explain the theme of the novel, and how Golding presents it through his use of symbolism. The first section looks at theme and the second discusses each symbol in depth and how they collectively work together to convey the meaning of the novel.

The quotes on this page are not explained here, though most of their meanings are fairly evident. Some quotes do have a brief explanation in front of them. Although many printings of this novel exist, the most prevalent seems to be the Perigee Book paper-back (with the drawing of a boy with leaves in his hair on the cover) published by the Berkley Publishing Group and all page numbers refer to this printing

A map of the island where the novel took place!! Plus, a description of the island, and the time period of the novel.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lord of the Flies Study Guide | William Golding | Homework Online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This study guide helps readers of Lord of the Flies by William Golding understand and interpret the novel. Included are concise chapter summaries, character analysis, explanation of themes and symbolism and much, much more! This site will guide you through the novel, quickly and easily. Enjoy. This section has summaries of every chapter.

# data[].attributes.body
Link to historical background and information about the novel's setting.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The setting plays a major role in this novel. The boys are basically stranded on an uninhabited tropical island, presumably somewhere in the Pacific in the 1950s. It is an environment which is completely alien to them, and after initial boyish enthusiasm the grim reality of a life devoid of adult supervision in a strange, threatening world begins to set in.

The island contains thick jungle and dense undergrowth with plentiful food on offer through wild fruit and pigs which roam. Most of of the story centres around the white beach at the lagoon area on the island,

...the white surf flinked on a coral reef, and beyond that the open sea was dark blue. Within the irregular arc of the lagoon was still as a mountain lake.... (p.14)

In their initial exploration, the boys gain a good understanding of the geography by climbing to the top of a mountain. In the distance they see a part of the island that later Jack and his breakaway group will use,

There, where the island petered out in water, was another island; a rock, almost detached, standing like a fort.... (p. 38)

They are also able to look back at the point where they all met at the beach (fringed with palm trees) and note that the entire side of the island there is enclosed by a coral reef.

The boys are initially wildly enthusiastic about being in a place which no doubt is the stuff of their adventure storybooks. Slowly however the setting begins to tear them apart and in the absence of adult supervision, bring them down to a primeval state. The isolation, the tropical heat, the need to hunt wild animals and the inability to make logical sense of what seem like phantom occurrences all take their toll on the formerly 'civilized' British boys.

Golding has chosen a perfect setting for a tale which points out that man's savage inner being lurks not far beneath the surface.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The setting plays a major role in this novel. The boys are basically stranded on an uninhabited tropical island, presumably somewhere in the Pacific in the 1950s. It is an environment which is completely alien to them, and after initial boyish enthusiasm the grim reality of a life devoid of adult supervision in a strange, threatening world begins to set in.

# data[].attributes.body
Jack embodies evil deeds of mankind, but he is a misguided boy, not Hitler... read on to see if you agree...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Compare Jack from the William Golding's Lord of the Flies to Adolf Hitler. | eNotes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get an answer for 'Compare Jack from the William Golding's Lord of the Flies to Adolf Hitler. ' and find homework help for other Lord of the Flies, Hitler, Adolf questions at eNotes

# data[].attributes.body
...and what inspired him to write LotF

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Quick Facts
"I am not a theologian or a philosopher. I am a storyteller.""...man produces evil as a bee produces honey.""I'd rather there wasn't an afterlife, really. I'd much rather not be me for thousands of years..."

Name

William Golding

Birth Date

September 19, 1911

Death Date

June 19, 1993

Education

Brasenose College, Oxford, Marlborough Grammar School

Place of Birth

St. Columb Minor, Newquay, Cornwall, England

Place of Death

Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England

AKA

William Golding

Full Name

Sir William Gerald Golding

British novelist William Golding wrote the critically acclaimed classic 'Lord of the Flies,' and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983.

Who Was William Golding?

William Golding started teaching English and philosophy in Salisbury in 1935. He temporarily left teaching in 1940 to join the Royal Navy. In 1954 he published his first novel, Lord of the Flies. In 1983, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. On June 19, 1993, he died in Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England.

Early Life

William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in Saint Columb Minor, Cornwall, England. He was raised in a 14th-century house next door to a graveyard. His mother, Mildred, was an active suffragette who fought for women's right to vote. His father, Alex, worked as a schoolmaster.

William received his early education at the school his father ran, Marlborough Grammar School. When William was just 12 years old, he attempted, unsuccessfully, to write a novel. A frustrated child, he found an outlet in bullying his peers. Later in life, William would describe his childhood self as a brat, even going so far as to say, "I enjoyed hurting people."

After primary school, William went on to attend Brasenose College at Oxford University. His father hoped he would become a scientist, but William opted to study English literature instead. In 1934, a year before he graduated, William published his first work, a book of poetry aptly entitled Poems. The collection was largely overlooked by critics.

Teaching

After college, Golding worked in settlement houses and the theater for a time. Eventually, he decided to follow in his father's footsteps. In 1935 Golding took a position teaching English and philosophy at Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury. Golding's experience teaching unruly young boys would later serve as inspiration for his novel Lord of the Flies.

Although passionate about teaching from day one, in 1940 Golding temporarily abandoned the profession to join the Royal Navy and fight in World War II.

'Lord of the Flies'

In 1954, after 21 rejections, Golding published his first and most acclaimed novel, Lord of the Flies. The novel told the gripping story of a group of adolescent boys stranded on a deserted island after a plane wreck. Lord of the Flies explored the savage side of human nature as the boys, let loose from the constraints of society, brutally turned against one another in the face of an imagined enemy. Riddled with symbolism, the book set the tone for Golding's future work, in which he continued to examine man's internal struggle between good and evil. Since its publication, the novel has been widely regarded as a classic, worthy of in-depth analysis and discussion in classrooms around the world.

In 1963, the year after Golding retired from teaching, Peter Brook made a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel. Two decades later, at the age of 73, Golding was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature. In 1988 he was knighted by England's Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1990 a new film version of the Lord of the Flies was released, bringing the book to the attention of a new generation of readers.

Death and Legacy

Golding spent the last few years of his life quietly living with his wife, Ann Brookfield, at their house near Falmouth, Cornwall, where he continued to toil at his writing. The couple had married in 1939 and had two children, David (b. 1940) and Judith (b. 1945).

On June 19, 1993, Golding died of a heart attack in Perranarworthal, Cornwall. After Golding died, his completed manuscript for The Double Tongue was published posthumously.

Among the most successful novels of Golding's writing career were Rites of Passage (winner of the 1980 Booker McConnell Prize), Pincher Martin, Free Fall and The Pyramid. While Golding was mainly a novelist, his body of work also includes poetry, plays, essays and short stories.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"I am not a theologian or a philosopher. I am a storyteller." "...man produces evil as a bee produces honey." "I'd rather there wasn't an afterlife, really. I'd much rather not be me for thousands of years..." Name William Golding Birth Date September 19, 1911 Death Date June 19, 1993 Education Brasenose College, Oxford, Marlborough Grammar School Place of Birth St.

# data[].attributes.body
Hey, relax! Listen to the story and make notes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
William Golding - " Lord of the flies " (audiobook full)