slide-deck

1.

An exploration of
Chapter 12 of ‘Lord
of the Flies’
English
Unit ‘Lord of the Flies’

2.

Outcome
I can explain and explore the key events of Chapter 12 of ‘Lord of
the Flies’.

3.

Keywords
a covert
bushes growing close together in which hunted
animals can hide
expectation
the feeling or belief that something will or should
happen
immaculate
perfect and without any mistakes;
completely clean
unkempt
not neat or cared for; messy
protagonist
the main and most important character in a book, film or
play

4.

Lesson outline
An exploration of Chapter 12 of ‘Lord of the Flies’
Understanding Chapter 12
The ending of the novel

5.

Understanding Chapter 12
Explanation
Discuss: what has happened to Ralph and Jack at the end of
Chapter 11?
Ralph
● alone
● cast out from the group
● running away from spears
Jack
● chief of all the boys
● knows what Roger has done
● leads the attack on Ralph

6.

Understanding Chapter 12
Explanation
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 start of Chapter 12. It starts on page 203 and finishes
on page 225.
In the first line of the chapter, Ralph is described as hiding in a “covert”. As you
read, consider how the theme of hunting is used and developed.

7.

Understanding Chapter 12
Check
Which of the following statements is not true about Chapter 12?
a
The officer is shocked at the condition of the boys.
b
The officer learns the details of the deaths of Piggy and Simon.
c
Ralph asserts his leadership to the officer and Jack doesn’t object.
d
Jack’s tribe hunt Ralph through the island.

8.

Understanding Chapter 12
Explanation
The naval officer adds a new element and a new perspective
to the story.
Discuss: how is the naval officer different to the boys? Consider:
● his appearance
● what he sees when he looks at the boys
● his attitude towards the boys
Use evidence from the text. Focus on the section that starts on page 222,
the third paragraph, beginning with the word “He”. Finish reading at the
end of the chapter on page 225 with the final word “distance”.

9.

Understanding Chapter 12
Check
Which of the following statements is true about the end of Chapter 12?
a
Golding shows the officer to be immaculate in his white uniform.
b
The officer’s ship looks unkempt in contrast with his appearance.
c
The officer is embarrassed by Ralph’s tears.
d
The officer is angry because he thinks the boys may have been playing a
game.

10.

Task A
Understanding Chapter 12
Practice
Discuss: why do you think Golding included the naval
officer at the end of the novel?
In your discussion, consider:
order versus chaos
the emphasis on the boys’ youth
the officer’s expectations versus the reality
behind him is a “cutter” - a type of warship

11.

Task A
Understanding Chapter 12
Feedback
This is what the Oak pupils said. Compare your ideas with theirs.
Jun
The officer’s immaculate uniform
contrasts with the boys’ unkempt
appearance, emphasising how
uncivilised they have become.
Also, he sees them as children
playing a “game” which shows he
has no appreciation of the horrors
they have experienced and
perpetrated.
Sofia
Also, the officer is part of the
military. So although he seems
different on the surface, the
warship out at sea reminds us that
there is also death and destruction
in the world beyond the island. The
presence of the officer suggests
both order and chaos.

12.

Lesson outline
An exploration of Chapter 12 of ‘Lord of the Flies’
Understanding Chapter 12
The ending of the novel

13.

The ending of the novel
Explanation
After reading a novel, a good question to ask is: was the ending satisfying?
It doesn’t mean ‘do we like the ending?’ It means ‘does it meet expectations?’ For
example:
● Plot: have the protagonists either succeeded or failed in their aims?
● Characters: have characters changed in ways which are convincing?
● Themes: do we fully understand the writer’s message?
● Emotions: is the reader left with strong feelings, either positive or negative?
● Consistency: does the ending clearly develop from events in the novel?
● Open or closed: some novels tie up all loose ends; others seem to provoke
further questions. Both types of endings can be satisfying.

14.

The ending of the novel
Check
True or false?
For the ending of a novel to be satisfying, the reader needs to know exactly
what to think or feel about the plot and characters.
T
True
F
False
Justify your answer
a
A satisfying ending is not one which ties up all the plot points; it is one
that feels emotionally natural and complete.
b
Writers can craft the ending of the novels to suit their purpose. It is for us
to interpret their meaning.

15.

Task B
The ending of the novel
Practice
Discuss: in your opinion, is the ending of ‘Lord of the Flies’
satisfying?
In your discussion, consider the following:
● Plot: have the protagonists either succeeded or failed in their aims?
● Characters: have characters changed in ways which are convincing?
● Themes: do we fully understand the writer’s message?
● Emotions: is the reader left with strong feelings, either positive or negative?
● Consistency: does the ending clearly develop from events in the novel?
● Open or closed: some novels tie up all loose ends; others seem to provoke
further questions. Both types of endings can be satisfying.

16.

Task B
The ending of the novel
Feedback
Compare
yourthe
discussion
with
theirs. Were your ideas as varied?
This is what
Oak pupils
said.
Izzy
Sam
The boys are rescued
which is what they
wanted. So the plot is
resolved in that way.
Ralph’s change is
convincing. He has
grown up and can see
Piggy’s wisdom.
I felt relief they were
rescued, but what about
the future? Will they
confess their crimes?
The book is very
disturbing. The rescue
doesn’t change that.
War is everywhere!
Sofia
Alex

17.

Summary An exploration of Chapter 12 of ‘Lord of the Flies’
● Ralph hides in the thicket of the forest as Jack’s tribe hunt him down
● in an attempt to smoke Ralph out of the forest, Jack sets the jungle on fire
● a British Naval vessel sees the jungle ablaze and rescues the boys
● the officer is surprised and disappointed by the savage behaviour of the
boys
● after reading a novel, a good question to ask ourselves is whether the
ending is satisfying

18.

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