Starter quiz
- How did Ralph gain power in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- Jack chose him as the leader
- he was elected into power ✓
- he nominated himself as leader
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- What colour hair does Ralph have in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- red hair
- black hair
- fair hair ✓
- brown hair
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- Which boys side with Ralph throughout 'Lord of the Flies'?
- Jack
- Piggy ✓
- Roger
- Simon ✓
- Sam and Eric ✓
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- Which of the following statements about William Golding is true?
- He served in the Royal Navy in WWII. ✓
- He was a university professor before the war.
- He did not serve in the Second World War.
- He was involved in a plane crash as a child.
- He was a political leader himself.
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- In the beginning of 'Lord of the Flies', how does Ralph react to the realisation that there are no grown-ups on the island?
- He does a headstand and grins. ✓
- He cries and sobs.
- He initially cries, but then shouts in excitement.
- He can't believe it and goes off in search of adults.
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- What are the common traits of a democratic leader?
- rules through fear and intimidation
- listens to others' opinions ✓
- makes decisions without considering others
- utilises voting in decision making ✓
- makes decisions that will benefit them personally
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Exit quiz
- Which words does Golding use to characterise Ralph in the beginning of 'Lord of the Flies'?
- "warm"
- "sunny"
- "golden" ✓
- "fair" ✓
- "light"
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- The ______ is the main character in a text.
- 'protagonist' ✓
- What is Ralph's main priority as leader in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- to become a skilled hunter
- to be rescued ✓
- to explore the island
- to have fun without any adults
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- What might Ralph represent in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- savagery
- evil
- morality ✓
- democracy ✓
- vulnerability
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- What decision does Ralph make in the first chapter of 'Lord of the Flies' that could be described as naive?
- he makes Jack leader of the group
- he is rude to Piggy about his asthma and glasses
- he destroys the only available food source
- he gives Jack permission to use the choir as he pleases ✓
- he frightens the littluns with stories of the Beast
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- In what way does Ralph change in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- his morality dissipates - he becomes just as greedy and wicked as the others
- his naivety fades, as he recognises the savagery within man ✓
- he does not change at all - he treads a moral path throughout
- he becomes more ignorant, as he turns a blind eye to the cruelty around him
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- As elected leader, Ralph represents an early desire for law, order and civility.
- Golding uses colour symbolism to characterise Ralph as possessing the qualities of an effective and charismatic leader.
- Ralph's participation in the murder of Simon illustrates human beings' capacity for savagery and brutality.
- Ralph's naivety fades away as he begins to recognise the savagery that exists in supposedly-civilised people.
- Ralph's faith in democracy is arguably his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.
Common misconception
Students have a tendency to view Ralph as a morally-virtuous character who does no wrong.
Ralph does behave immorally and wickedly in the text - he is mean to Piggy about his asthma and he participates in the murder of Simon. What separates Ralph from the others is the remorse he shows for his actions and how he learns from them.
Keywords
Protagonist - the main character in a text
Charismatic - charming and compelling
Naïve - showing a lack of effective judgement, often based on a lack of experience or optimism
Heinous - extremely wicked and cruel
Democracy - a system of government whereby leaders are voted in by election
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