Lord of the Flies
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Reading and Writing Workshop
“From Civilization to Chaos: A Reading and Writing Journey through Lord of the Flies
Workshop Overview
What happens when structure vanishes and instincts take over? In this workshop, students will explore William Golding’s Lord of the Flies through the lenses of philosophy, symbolism, leadership, morality, and censorship. Each session pairs the novel with a powerful public domain text to provoke reflection and writing grounded in both literature and timeless human questions. The final session addresses the history of book banning and encourages students to form their own opinions on the value of controversial texts.
Session 1: Civilization and Savagery
Session 2: The Nature of Evil
Session 3: Leadership and Power
Session 4: Symbolism – The Conch, the Beast, and the Lord of the Flies
Session 5: Innocence and Loss
Session 6: Why Lord of the Flies Was Banned
Session 7: Final Project – Thematic Literary Essay or Creative Rewrite
Workshop Overview
What happens when structure vanishes and instincts take over? In this workshop, students will explore William Golding’s Lord of the Flies through the lenses of philosophy, symbolism, leadership, morality, and censorship. Each session pairs the novel with a powerful public domain text to provoke reflection and writing grounded in both literature and timeless human questions. The final session addresses the history of book banning and encourages students to form their own opinions on the value of controversial texts.
Session 1: Civilization and Savagery
- Focus: The breakdown of civilization and the rise of primal behavior.
- Reading: Lord of the Flies, Chapters 1–3
- Paired Public Domain Text: Second Treatise of Government by John Locke (on natural law and social contracts)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7370 - Writing Prompt: Compare Locke’s theory of government and natural law with the boys’ attempts to form their own society. Where does it begin to break down?
Session 2: The Nature of Evil
- Focus: Inner darkness, the "Beast," and human nature.
- Reading: Lord of the Flies, Chapters 4–6
- Paired Public Domain Text: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (explores darkness within)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/219 - Writing Prompt: How do both Conrad and Golding explore the idea of evil as an internal force? Use examples from both texts.
Session 3: Leadership and Power
- Focus: Jack vs. Ralph – differing leadership styles.
- Reading: Lord of the Flies, Chapters 7–8
- Paired Public Domain Text: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (focus on Brutus, Caesar, and power struggles)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1120 - Writing Prompt: Compare the conflict between Ralph and Jack to the political struggle between Brutus and Caesar. What makes a legitimate leader?
Session 4: Symbolism – The Conch, the Beast, and the Lord of the Flies
- Focus: Deep dive into symbolism in the novel.
- Reading: Lord of the Flies, Chapters 9–10
- Paired Public Domain Text: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (rich symbolic imagery)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/160 - Writing Prompt: How do symbols function in both texts to develop larger ideas about guilt, order, and the unknown?
Session 5: Innocence and Loss
- Focus: Death of innocence (Simon and Piggy), moral reckoning.
- Reading: Lord of the Flies, Chapters 11–12
- Paired Public Domain Text: Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1934 - Writing Prompt: Blake contrasts innocence with experience. How does Golding portray the boys’ descent into experience and the loss of innocence?
Session 6: Why Lord of the Flies Was Banned
- Focus: Censorship, controversial themes, and the right to read.
- Reading: Excerpts from book challenges against Lord of the Flies
- Paired Public Domain Text: Areopagitica by John Milton (a defense of free speech and press)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/608 - Writing Prompt: Using Milton’s argument and what you’ve learned from the novel, write a defense (or critique) of Lord of the Flies in the classroom. Should it be banned or taught?
Session 7: Final Project – Thematic Literary Essay or Creative Rewrite
- Options:
- Write a literary essay analyzing one major theme across Lord of the Flies and one public domain work from the sessions.
- Or: Rewrite a scene from Lord of the Flies in a different setting or genre, incorporating themes discussed.
- Write a literary essay analyzing one major theme across Lord of the Flies and one public domain work from the sessions.
- Support Texts: Any from earlier sessions.
- Goal: Demonstrate critical thinking, synthesis, and personal voice.