English 11

 English 11: Time to meet the Lord of the Flies

Time for Simon

Today we've read chapter 8 and 9, and seen all there is to see about Simon. Unfortunately, I'm away today, but please feel free to use this little page to guide your writing and thinking as we begin to see what's going on behind his character. First read my quick summaries below.

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In chapter 7 Simon returns to the camp before the boys see "The Beast" at night time. In chapter 8, Simon is skeptical, and says there's nothing to do but return to the mountain. Time to take a close look at Simon.

In chapter 8, Simon determines to return to the mountain to confirm whether or not the beast exists. During this journey, meets The Lord of the Flies who taunts and threatens him. This is a stern warning for Simon, and only Simon is ever able to speak with this phenomenon. With the id, ego, and superego in mind, Simon is a problematic character; he exhibits no savage impulse. Further, The Lord of the Flies is an allusion to Beelzebub, prince of demons - the devil. The implications of this dialogue are far-reaching and profound.

In chapter 9, Simon ascends the mountain and discovers the truth about the beast. With this news in mind, he cuts some of the lines holding the dead parachutist in place and descends the mountain to bring this news to the other boys. For the rest, you'll have to read the chapter.😉

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To begin, we have some questions - and Friday a discussion/extended response. Please work through these questions below, first. Answers may become extensive; there's a lot of room here for inference and speculation. You might wonder about how the id, ego, and superego play a role - especially with Simon. Make inferences and support answers with some of the material we've used to support our reading. 

1. Who is the new character at the end of chapter 8, and why is Simon able to communicate with it?
2. Why wouldn't Simon conform to the discovery of the other boys on top of the mountain?
3. How does Simon see reality differently than the rest of the boys on the island? Consider how he experiences heat, sees the forest, and his skepticism of the beast.
4. How is his ability to see things differently a threat to the savagery of the island?
5. Why do the other boys perceive Simon differently at the end of chapter 9? (and no, it's not just because it's dark)

Once done, hand this in. I'm not assigning chapter 10, yet.