Activity #1
Character #1: Ralph
Character Trait: Leadership, responsible, optimistic.
Character #2: Jack
Character Trait: Aggressive, power-hungry, competitive.
Short Paragraph
The main character Ralph from the novel Lord of the Flies interacts with Jack throughout the novel.
In one instance, their conflict escalates when Jack challenges Ralph’s leadership and ultimately decides to form his own tribe, which marks a turning point in the story. This occurrence really drives the plot forward in the novel by intensifying the central conflict between civilization and savagery, serving as a catalyst for the chaos that ensues on the island. This pivotal interaction propels the rising action as the division between the boys becomes more pronounced, leading to a breakdown of societal order.
Activity #2
Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, uniquely presents the plot structure, theme, and setting in a way that captivates the reader. The setting is described in the exposition of Lord of the Flies as being “a beautiful tropical island, with palm trees and white sand beaches.” The exposition goes on to relate how the boys, after surviving a plane crash, find themselves stranded alone on this seemingly idyllic island, free from adults.
The rising action is marked by the boys’ initial attempts to create order, electing Ralph as their leader and establishing rules. However, tensions quickly rise as Jack becomes increasingly obsessed with hunting and savagery. The climax occurs when Simon, having discovered the truth about the "beast," is tragically killed by the frenzied boys during a ritual dance. The feelings of the characters are described when the narrator states, “They were on the island, and they were going to have lots of fun.” These words demonstrate the initial innocence of the boys but also foreshadow the darkness that will ultimately envelop them.
The falling action follows Simon’s death as chaos reigns. Jack’s tribe splits away, and violence becomes the norm, leading to Piggy's death and the complete breakdown of order. The resolution of the novel presents a grim reality when Ralph is rescued, but not before witnessing the complete disintegration of his peers, who have succumbed to barbarism.
The primary theme of Lord of the Flies is the inherent evil within humanity. An example, in the climax when Golding clearly demonstrates this theme is when Jack and his followers willingly participate in Simon's murder. Ralph stated, “We’ve got to make smoke up there—or die,” highlighting the struggle for order amidst chaos. The reader can discern that when civilization crumbles, the primal instincts take over.
In conclusion, Lord of the Flies is a haunting exploration of human nature's dark side. The setting and plot of the novel demonstrate the theme of savagery versus civilization and show the reader that without the structures of society, humanity can devolve into chaos and brutality.