Starter quiz
- Who is Simon in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- the group's leader
- an aggressive, strong-willed member of the group
- a physically-strong and skilled hunter
- a quiet, introspective member of the group ✓
- an intelligent and strategic voice of reason within the group
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- How does Simon die in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- he drowns while trying to escape the island
- he is killed by the other boys ✓
- he falls from a cliff
- he is bitten by a poisonous snake
- he dies in the fire on the island
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- Who is the only character to acknowledge how Simon really died in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- Jack
- Piggy
- Ralph ✓
- Samneric
- Roger
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- What does Simon come to understand about the "beast" on the island in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- that it is a real creature
- that it is a figment of the boys' imagination ✓
- that it is a friendly animal
- that it is a group of wild pigs
- that the true beast is the evil inside mankind ✓
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- What is the idea of 'original sin'?
- the idea that a small number of men are born with evil in their hearts
- the idea that every man has evil within their heart ✓
- the idea that men are not born evil, but made evil
- the idea that men can never be truly evil
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- Starting with the first, put the events of 'Lord of the Flies' in chronological order.
- 1⇔A vote is held. Ralph is elected leader
- 2⇔Jack struggles to kill a pig, but vows to be ruthless next time.
- 3⇔A parachutist's dead body falls onto the island and hangs in a tree.
- 4⇔Jack and his hunters put a pig's head on a stick as a gift for the beast.
- 5⇔Simon discovers the truth about the beast, but is killed before he can reveal it
- 6⇔Piggy and Ralph go to Castle Rock to confront Jack about Piggy's stolen glasses.
- 7⇔Piggy is murdered by Roger. Jack orders the hunting and killing of Ralph.
Exit quiz
- What are foil characters?
- the protagonist and the antagonist are also known as foil characters
- two characters that are very similar, used to highlight specific qualities
- characters that are interacting with one another at any given point
- two characters that have opposite traits used to highlight specific qualities ✓
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- Which of the following statements are true about Simon in Chapter 1 of 'Lord of the Flies'?
- We learn that Simon is a popular choir member.
- We learn that Simon often faints. ✓
- We learn that Simon is Jack's second-in-command.
- We learn that Simon is part of Jack's choir. ✓
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- In what way is Simon a self-imposed outsider in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- He refuses to get involved with the politics of the group. ✓
- He is rude to the other boys, which isolates him from them.
- He physically isolates himself from the group - he seeks comfort in nature. ✓
- Simon refuses to help with any of the group's chores, like making shelters.
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- Which of the following words are used to describe the ceremonious burial of Simon in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- "rushed"
- "silvered" ✓
- "gently" ✓
- "dragged"
- "cleansed"
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- Match the vocabulary up to its definition.
- compassionate⇔kind and considerate of others ✓
- insightful⇔intelligent and perceptive - sees things differently from other people ✓
- spirituality⇔being in touch not only with oneself, but the world around one too ✓
- ceremonious⇔suggestive of a grand and formal occasion ✓
- Why might Golding have created the character of Simon in 'Lord of the Flies'?
- to explore the idea of innate evil and the savagery we are all capable of
- to represent democracy, order and logic
- to remind us of the innate good that exists within humanity ✓
- to symbolise the death of innocence and purity on the island ✓
- to show us how to form a respectful relationship with the world around us ✓
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Arguably, Simon is characterised as a self-imposed an outsider.
- Simon is thoughtful, insightful and spiritual, and has a deep appreciation and respect for all living things.
- Simon's ceremonious burial is arguably symbolic of his close relationship with nature.
- Simon is arguably used as a foil character to Jack - the two are opposites.
- Simon's character reminds us that there is innate good in mankind as well as evil - we don't have to choose savagery.
Common misconception
Pupils often overlook Simon's significance in this novel.
Simon is a very important character because he shows us that, in a world of evil, we can still act in a compassionate and civilised manner. Through Simon, Golding reminds us that our behaviour is a choice.
Keywords
Compassionate - kind and considerate of others
Insightful - intelligent and perceptive - sees things differently from other people
Foil characters - two characters that are contrasted with one another to highlight specific traits and qualities
Spirituality - being in touch not only with oneself, but the world around one too, in a sensitive and intuitive way
Ceremonious - suggestive of a grand and formal occasion
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