Press/English 3 Name ______________________ Page ___

POWER OF WORDS: Lord of the Flies LITERARY ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT

Question: How does Golding use literary devices or elements (such as figurative language,
imagery, diction, symbol, or tone) in a passage of Lord of the Flies to achieve a broader
purpose?

Step 1
Choose one of the passages from Lord of the Flies listed below. The six passages in the chart
have clear literary devices, and connect to at least one major theme. The other passages listed
below vary in how easy it is to find devices and to connect to a theme; all are interesting and
have great potential for this project. If you are not sure about a passage, talk to your teacher.

If you are interested in thinking about consider looking at one of these passages.

Order/disorder (C) The first fire spreads (44)

Loss of individualism, group mentality
Instinct vs. learned behavior/rules & law
Impact of humans on society and nature
(F) Piggys death (180-181)
(B) Coming to the first meeting (18-20)
(E) Simons death (151-153)
(E) Simons death (151-153)
(F) Piggys death (180-181)
(D) Jack hunts alone in the jungle (48-49)
(A) View of the beach (9-10)

Other passages

(G) Simon goes to his special place (56-57)
(H) Daily rhythms of the island (58-59)
(I) Henry, King of the Tidepools; Roger and
the rocks (59-62)
(J) Jacks mask (63-64)
(K) The other side of the island (110-111)
(L) Jack and his tribe hunt the sow (134-135)
(M) Simon stares down the Lord of the Flies
(137-138)
(N) The storm builds; Simon meets the
beast) (145-147)
(O) Farewell to Simon (153-154)
Other themes
Loss of innocence
Power and how people gain and keep power
The role of fear
Wisdom and knowledge

Many other passages and themes will also work. Test out your ideas with your teacher first.

Step 2
Read your passage. Annotate the passage based on literary devices, such as figurative language
and diction (word choice). What do you notice? Do you see any patterns? Any connections to
the rest of the book?

Step 3
Identify Goldings purpose in this passage. Does he establish character? Emphasize setting?
Create a tone? Foreshadow? Set a mood? How does this connect to the larger themes of the
book?

Step 4
Analyze how Golding uses literary devices to achieve that intent. Write a thesis to explain your
idea. Your thesis will have three parts:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Some possibilities

EMERGING MEETING STANDARD EXCEEDING STANDARD

Device (WHAT) Effect - local (WHY) Purpose broad (REALLY WHY)
Imagery Establish character Order/disorder
Simile Establish setting Civilization/lack of civilization
Metaphor Establish mood Mans inhumanity to man
Diction Establish motif
(repeated
element/makes a
pattern)
(May choose multiple) (May choose multiple) (Only choose one)
Thesis examples for opening

Golding uses metaphor to foreshadow the as well as the damaged natural

damage that will characteristics of man.
happen on the island,
Golding uses metaphor to suggest the and to parallel the primitive
and imagery of heat discomfort of the island passions of anger, lust, and rage
that will eventually overcome the
boys.
Golding uses imagery of to suggest the vivid and to show that Ralph, in his grey
bright colors like red and reality and beauty of shirt, is misplaced and unnatural
yellow the island in this environment.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
EMERGING MEETING STANDARD EXCEEDING STANDARD
Device (WHAT) Effect - local (WHY) Purpose broad (REALLY WHY)
WRITING TOOLKIT
Vocabulary for literary analysis

Function words to use to describe how different elements work in the passage

Word POS Def Other forms

add v To put something into or join something onto something addition (n), additional
else (adj)
contrast v To compare different things or arrange them ino a way that contrasting (adj); contrast
highlights their differences (n)
convey v To communicate something; to have something as a conveyance (n)
meaning or connotation
develop v To expand; to grow; to build on development (n);
developing (adj)
emphasize v To stress or give importance to something emphasis (n)
express v To convey meaning with words, mood, or in some other
symbolic way
extend v To continue for a distance or amount of time; to apply to extension (n); extensive
somebody or something (adj)
highlight v To draw attention to something; to make something highlight (n)
especially noticeable
portray v To represent somebody or something in words portrayal (n)
recall v To bring something back to mind recall (n)
reinforce v To make something stronger by adding additional support reinforcement (n)
reiterate v To do or say something again reiteration (n); reiterative
(adj)
shif v To change shift (n); shifting (adj)
show v To allow something to be seen easily show (n)
suggest v To make someone think of something; to hint; to indicate suggestion (n); suggestive
that something is likely (adj)
undercut v To undermine something or take away from its strength
underscore v To give emphasis or extra force to something

Elements parts of the passage and literary devices you might want to discuss

symbolism diction situational irony motif

imagery word choice dramatic irony character
metaphor repetition verbal irony characterization
simile connection theme setting

Tone words you might use to describe tone, mood, or effects on the reader (all are adjectives)
exciting dreamlike disorienting ambivalent
tense ironic chaotic fantastical
agitated suspenseful ominous contemplative
agonized eerie threatening mournful
tortured conflicted intense sorrowful
admiring resigned oppressive disturbing
Useful transition words

LOGICAL TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION

RELATIONSHIP
Similarity also just as ... so too similarly
in the same way likewise

Exception/Contrast but on the one hand ... in contrast

despite on the other hand on the contrary
however nevertheless still
in spite of nonetheless yet
notwithstanding

Sequence/Order first third then

second next finally

Time after during now

afterward earlier recently
at last immediately simultaneously
before later subsequently
currently meanwhile then

Example for example namely to illustrate

for instance specifically

Emphasis even in fact truly

indeed of course

Place/Position above beyond in back

adjacent here nearby
below in front there

Cause and Effect accordingly hence therefore

consequently so thus
Additional Support or additionally as well furthermore
Evidence again besides in addition
also equally important moreover
and further then

Conclusion/Summary finally in the end to conclude