Starter quiz
- The name 'Piggy' in 'Lord of the Flies' is ...
- a name that Ralph made up for Piggy.
- Piggy's real name.
- a name that the character was called in school. ✓
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- What condition does Piggy have in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- epilepsy
- asthma ✓
- anxiety
- a cleft lip
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- What do we learn about Piggy's parents in Chapter 1 of 'Lord of the Flies'?
- that they are famous back in Britain
- that they abandoned him when he was a baby
- that they are both in the Royal Navy
- that they are dead ✓
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- What is Piggy's main priority on the island in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- to have fun and explore
- to become a successful hunter
- to become a successful leader
- to be rescued ✓
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- How does Piggy die in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- he is burned in the fire that Jack set
- he is mistaken for a pig and beaten to death by Roger
- he is sacrificed by Jack to the beast
- he is murdered by Roger during a dispute with Jack ✓
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- Piggy is a very vulnerable character in 'Lord of the Flies'. What might the word 'vulnerable' mean?
- outcast and disregarded
- able to be physically or emotionally hurt ✓
- depraved and savage
- logical and rational
- able to manipulate and mislead others
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Exit quiz
- Who is the first character to exclude Piggy in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- Ralph ✓
- Jack
- Simon
- Roger
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- What characteristics make Piggy different from the other boys in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- he has asthma ✓
- he is 12 years old
- he is wearing a school uniform
- he is lower-class ✓
- he wears glasses ✓
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- Choose one word to complete the following sentence: Throughout 'Lord of the Flies', Piggy is ______ by the other boys.
- dehumanified
- dehumanised ✓
- dehuman
- dehumanise
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- What does 'to ostracise' mean?
- to deal with things in a sensible and realistic way
- to use language to express the opposite of what is expected, for humour
- to deprive someone of human qualities ✓
- to intentionally not include someone in a social group or activity
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- What might Piggy represent in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- savagery
- civilisation ✓
- irrationality
- logic ✓
- dictatorship
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- Golding may have chosen the name Piggy for his character in 'Lord of the Flies' because ...
- Piggy behaves like an animal throughout the text.
- he is arguably one of the most human characters, so Golding is using irony. ✓
- it reflects the idea that he is treated like an animal throughout the text. ✓
- it reflects the savagery of the people around him.
- it represents the physical vulnerabilities he has e.g. asthma and poor sight.
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Piggy is dehumanised and ostracised by the group of boys because of his physical appearance.
- Piggy's glasses, weight, asthma and lower-class upbringing all give him vulnerabilities that the other boys exploit.
- The boys treat Piggy like an animal, but he is ironically the most human and civilised character.
- Piggy is pragmatic: he arguably represents rationality, reason and civilisation.
- Piggy's death metaphorically represents the death of civilisation and the abandonment of rationality.
Common misconception
Pupils often fail to recognise Ralph's role in the ostracism of Piggy.
Ralph is the first person to ostracise Piggy, by banning him from accompanying the boys on their expedition. He also calls Piggy by the name he begged Ralph not to use - Piggy. Once Jack senses Piggy's vulnerability within the group, he exploits it.
Keywords
To ostracise - to intentionally not include somebody in a social group or activity
Pragmatic - dealing with things in a sensible and realistic way
Irony - using language to express the opposite of what is expected, for humour
To dehumanise - to deprive someone of human qualities
Vulnerable - able to be hurt physically or emotionally
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