Essay Topics: Lord of the Flies

Our essay is on Tuesday, November 25. You may bring:

• The essay criteria handout 
•  Quotes only on the back
• The Lord of the Flies novel
• The id, ego, superego handout or the unconscious defense mechanisms handout. New blank forms will be made for the purposes of the essay.

Below are our essay topics for Golding's The Lord of the Flies.

1. How has Jack's use of the unconscious defense mechanisms shifted over the course of his descent into Savagery? (name several defense mechanisms, and speculate why Jack employs new defenses as his savagery progresses)
2. How might Golding's The Lord of the Flies be considered an allegory of the human mind? (be sure to indicate the implications if your claims)
3. How has Ralph contended with the pressures from the id and superego as chief of the island in Golding's Lord of the Flies? (consider specific moments in the story where Ralph is drawn towards the superego, or id - and discuss the implications of this)

ELL3 WALL-E

 In WALL-E the main characters seem to have many human traits, even though they are not human. They show emotions, make choices, and care for others. These robots were made by humans to do a special job.

Do you think robots like WALL-E should be treated differently from humans if they can feel and think?

Chapter 11

Pick one, and connect it to the chapter. Consider the themes and messaging of the novel.

“Where there is no law, there is no freedom.” — John Locke
Captures the breakdown of civilization when the conch shatters.

“The measure of a man is what he does with power.” — Plato
An excellent lens for comparing Ralph, Piggy, Jack, and Roger.

English 11

 

Activity: Interpreting Simon’s Death — Meaning, Symbolism, and Sacrifice

Instructions for students:
In your group, explore the interpretation assigned to you. Prepare a short presentation (3–5 minutes) explaining your interpretation of Simon’s death, its meaning in literature, and how Golding uses it to develop the novel’s themes. Include at least one quote from Chapter 9 to support your ideas.

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Group 1 — Simon as a Christ-like Figure (Spiritual Sacrifice)

Investigate how Simon’s death can be read as a symbolic sacrifice similar to religious or Christ-like figures. Consider his kindness, isolation, encounter with the “Lord of the Flies,” and his attempt to bring truth to the others.

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Group 2 — The Death of Innocence

Explore Simon’s death as the moment when the boys lose the last piece of innocence on the island. Discuss how this turning point shows the collapse of morality and the triumph of savagery.

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Group 3 — Humanity’s Fear of Truth

Examine how Simon’s death represents humanity’s tendency to reject or destroy uncomfortable truths. The boys kill him exactly as he tries to reveal the truth about the “beast.” What does this say about human nature?

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Group 4 — Mob Mentality and Collective Violence

Look at Simon’s death as an example of how ordinary people can become violent when swept up in a crowd. Analyze the storm, the chanting, the dancing, and how the group’s identity overrides individual responsibility.

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Group 5 — Nature vs. Civilization

Interpret Simon’s death as a clash between natural goodness and the breakdown of civilization. Consider Simon’s connection to nature (the forest, his quiet observations) and how his death symbolizes the destruction of natural harmony.

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Group 6 — Fate, Tragedy, and Inevitability

Discuss Simon’s death as a tragic and inevitable moment in the novel. Was Simon doomed from the beginning because of who he was? How does his death fit traditional patterns of tragedy or sacrifice in literature?

ELL3 topic!

People use technology for almost everything—finding information, communicating, cooking, traveling, and even thinking. Some people say technology makes life easier. Others believe people need it too much and can't grow important skills.

Write a paragraph explaining whether you think people should rely more on technology or on themselves. 

ELL3 topic!

 Many teenagers want to earn their own money and gain experience by working part-time. Some people say this is good because it teaches responsibility and independence. Others think school should be their main focus, and jobs create too much stress or take away study time.

Write a paragraph explaining whether you think teenagers should have part-time jobs. Use examples and reasons to support your opinion.

English 11

“The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.” 

— Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago