Notebook Instructions

LOTF Notebook Instructions

When the novel opens, nuclear war has broken out in Europe and a school from the English Home Counties has been evacuated by air to an unknown destination. The plane has touched down in Gibraltar (British territory in the south of Spain) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia); then, still flying south-eastwards, it has been attacked, its crew killed, but its “passenger tube” released so that it can crash land on the jungle below.

The island is never named, but the description of its coral reefs, beaches and fruit trees that bear all the year round suggests that it might be an island south of Sumatra or Java, Indonesia.

The Home Counties are those of England closest to London. During WWII many children were evacuated from England, particularly from London where heavy bombing was occurring, to safer areas like Canada, Australia, the US. Many of these children spent much of the war away from home.

You are required to independently read this novel.  For each chapter, you will be required to write a Notebook Entry. You must include the following four elements for each:

1.    The key characters are: Simon, Piggy, Jack and Ralph. In a sentence or two, record an important fact about each character or a change in the boy’s character. Back up your information with a quote and page reference.

2.    Record one important event that happened in the chapter and explain its significance.

3.    The following symbols are very important: Fire/smoke, Piggy’s glasses, the conch, the Beast, and the Lord of the Flies. If any of these symbols appear or are alluded to in the chapter, explain its importance with the use of quotes.

4.    Pick two themes below. Find a quote that develops it in the chapter. Describe its importance in the chapter.

Themes:

§  Civilization vs. Savagery

§  Loss of Innocence

§  Abuse of Power

§  Struggle for Power

§  Evil vs. Good in humans

§  Think before you act

§  Fear can destroy insight and cause hysteria

§  Wisdom and Knowledge