slide-deck

1.

An exploration of
Chapter 4 of ‘Lord of
the Flies’
English
Unit: ‘Lord of the Flies’

2.

Outcome
I can explain and explore the key events in Chapter 4 of ‘Lord of
the Flies’.

3.

Keywords
morality
relating to the standards, not laws, of good or
bad behaviour, fairness, honesty
to undermine
to make someone less confident, less powerful, or less
likely to succeed, often gradually
sincere
not pretending or lying; honest
accountable
responsible for what you do and able to give a satisfactory
reason for it
to model
doing something in a way that can be used as an
example

4.

Lesson outline
An exploration of Chapter 4 of ‘Lord of the Flies’
How and why does the boys’ behaviour change?
Ralph and Jack argue

5.

How and why does the boys’ behaviour change?
Explanation
Read the beginning of Chapter 4.
You need a copy of the ‘Lord of the Flies’ for this lesson. Please ensure that
you are using the Faber & Faber; Main edition (3 Mar. 1997).
Read from the beginning of the chapter (page 60) to the end of the second
paragraph on page 61 ending with the word “often.”
As you read, consider the following questions:
● What moods are created by the description of the weather?
● Why are the boys having trouble adjusting and why is this significant?

6.

How and why does the boys’ behaviour change?
Explanation
Compare
your
ideas
theirs.
Do you agree?
This is what
the
Oakwith
pupils
said.
Izzy
The mood of the island seems threatening. Golding
says the temperature is like a “blow”. Things are
“strange” at midday, and in the evening the darkness
“menaced”.
It’s hard for the boys to adapt to the tropical climate. The
little boy, Percival, is deeply distressed and I think his
distress is the open version of the distress they all feel.
Alex

7.

How and why does the boys’ behaviour change?
Explanation
Read from the third paragraph on page 61 to the second
paragraph on page 65, ending with the word “off.”
As you read, look out for references to:
sandcastles
stones

8.

How and why does the boys’ behaviour change?
Explanation
Weremight
Discuss:
You
yourWhat
have
ideasdo
said:
similar
the references
or different?
to sandcastles and stones
tell us about the boys’ behaviour?
The “littluns” building sandcastles is an example of
them trying to recreate their familiar world. The
sandcastles are destroyed by other boys. Without
adults and rules, the older boys start behaving
unkindly.
Roger wants to hit Henry with the stones, but he
doesn’t. It’s as if there is an invisible ring of the old
morality protecting him. But you start to wonder if
the ring of morality will break down.

9.

How and why does the boys’ behaviour change?
Check
Which of the following summarises the boys’ lives on the island?
a
They are struggling to cope with their new environment.
b
The weather seems hostile to the boys’ attempts to survive.
c
Some of the boys build sandcastles and older boys destroy them.
d
The boys play at old games like sandcastle building.

10.

Task A How and why does the boys’ behaviour change?
Practice
After reading the first half of Chapter 4, Jacob said:
“Golding is showing us how the boys try to cling onto
the values of their old lives, but their attempts are
undermined.”
Jacob
Discuss: To what extent do you agree with Jacob’s thinking?
Consider:
key moments in the text
who is behaving badly
what stops their bad behaviour
how likely it is that their behaviour will worsen

11.

Task A How and why does the boys’ behaviour change?
Feedback
This is what
Compare
your
theideas
Oak with
pupils
theirs.
said.Do you agree?
Izzy
The boys feel as if the island is like an enemy
undermining their attempts to lead safe ordered lives.
They find the heat threatening at times and the darkness
makes them restless. They are not equipped to live
there.
The worst behaviour comes from the boys themselves.
Roger and Maurice deliberately destroy the sandcastles.
So it is the boys who are undermining the old morality. It
is likely that things will get worse.
Alex

12.

Lesson outline
An exploration of Chapter 4 of ‘Lord of the Flies’
How and why does the boys’ behaviour change?
Ralph and Jack argue

13.

Ralph and Jack argue
Explanation
Read to the end of Chapter 4.
Start from the word “Roger” on page 65 and read to the end of
the chapter on page 80.
As you read, consider:
● What does Jack finally succeed in doing?
● Why is Ralph angry?

14.

Ralph and Jack argue
Check
Below are the events at the end of Chapter 4, but they are in the
wrong order. Which is the right order?
1. Jack is enjoying being the hero of the
hunt. Ralph calls a meeting.
4. Jack camouflages his face with colours
in order to go hunting for pigs.
2. The hunters have killed a pig and are
feasting. Everyone eats the meat.
3. Piggy suggests making a sundial which
would allow them to tell the time.
3. Piggy suggests making a sundial which
would allow them to tell the time.
5. Ralph sees a ship at sea and is angry
that the hunters have let the fire go out.
4. Jack camouflages his face with colours
in order to go hunting for pigs.
2. The hunters have killed a pig and are
feasting. Everyone eats the meat.
5. Ralph sees a ship at sea and is angry that 1. Jack is enjoying being the hero of the
hunt. Ralph calls a meeting.
the hunters have let the fire go out.

15.

Ralph and Jack argue
Explanation
Discuss:
topics,
canadd
we to
make
Were
yourwhen
ideasdebating
similar? controversial
Is there anything
youhow
would
their
sure list?
the discussion is purposeful and respectful?
The Oak pupils made a list that looked like this:
1. Listen actively: Show that you value other people’s views by making eye
contact and nodding.
2. Acknowledge different viewpoints: Be open to considering other ideas and
changing your mind.
3. Speak one at a time and don’t interrupt. That way, everyone has a chance to
express their thoughts.
4. Support your arguments with evidence: refer to the text or the context.
5. Disagree respectfully: criticise the idea, not the person.
6. Ask questions: seeking clarification deepens everyone’s understanding.

16.

Ralph and Jack argue
Check
Fill in the blanks using the following words:
changing, listening, questions, criticise, evidence
turn,
1. Asking __________
questionshelps everyone think and learn.
2. Active __________
listeninginvolves making eye contact.
3. ___________
Criticise the idea, not the person.
4. Be open to __________
changingyour mind if presented with a stronger argument.
5. You need __________ to support your arguments.
6. Wait for your __________
evidence so everyone gets to share their ideas.
turn

17.

Task B
Ralph and Jack argue
Practice
Towards the end of Chapter 4, Jack apologises to Ralph for
letting the fire go out. Ralph’s response is described as “ungracious”.
Discuss: Should Ralph have accepted Jack’s apology?
Some points to consider:
Why did Jack apologise? Is his apology sincere?
Ralph is the elected leader. Should a good leader forgive or punish?
Is an apology enough to make up for Jack’s mistake?
Given their new circumstances, do they need new ways of handling conflicts?

18.

Task B
Ralph and Jack argue
Feedback
Compare
yourthe
discussion
with
theirs. Were your ideas as varied?
This is what
Oak pupils
said.
Izzy
Sam
Jack’s apology is
insincere. He only says
it to make the boys
admire him.
As a leader, Ralph
needs to hold Jack
accountable. An
apology is too easy.
The apology is
irrelevant. Jack’s
mistake is huge and
potentially fatal.
As the leader, Ralph
needs to model good
behaviour and that
includes forgiveness.
Sofia
Alex

19.

Task B
Ralph and Jack argue
Feedback
Self reflection
Use the following sentence starters to reflect on your participation in the
discussion:
1. I contributed to the discussion by …
2. Listening to the discussion made me reflect on …
3. The most interesting idea I heard was …

20.

Summary
An exploration of Chapter 4 of ‘Lord of the Flies’
● in Chapter 4, the boys’ behaviour changes as they become
less and less respectful of their old values
● the island’s climate seems hostile towards them
● a ship was seen on the horizon but the hunters/the choir have let the signal
fire go out
● Jack and his hunters kill a pig and the boys feast on the meat
● Ralph is angry that they missed the opportunity of being rescued and says
they need to have a meeting

21.

© Oak National Academy 2024.
Produced in partnership with Twyford CofE Academies Trust.
Licensed on the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where
otherwise stated. See Oak terms and conditions.