New
New
Year 9

The dehumanisation and death of Piggy in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'

I can explain the significance of Piggy's death in the novel.

New
New
Year 9

The dehumanisation and death of Piggy in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'

I can explain the significance of Piggy's death in the novel.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Piggy is dehumanised and ostracised by the group of boys because of his physical appearance.
  2. Piggy's glasses, weight, asthma and lower-class upbringing all give him vulnerabilities that the other boys exploit.
  3. The boys treat Piggy like an animal, but he is ironically the most human and civilised character.
  4. Piggy is pragmatic: he arguably represents rationality, reason and civilisation.
  5. Piggy's death metaphorically represents the death of civilisation and the abandonment of rationality.

Keywords

  • To ostracise - to intentionally not include somebody in a social group or activity

  • Pragmatic - dealing with things in a sensible and realistic way

  • Irony - using language to express the opposite of what is expected, for humour

  • To dehumanise - to deprive someone of human qualities

  • Vulnerable - able to be hurt physically or emotionally

Common misconception

Pupils often fail to recognise Ralph's role in the ostracism of Piggy.

Ralph is the first person to ostracise Piggy, by banning him from accompanying the boys on their expedition. He also calls Piggy by the name he begged Ralph not to use - Piggy. Once Jack senses Piggy's vulnerability within the group, he exploits it.

This could be a good opportunity to cover some SMSC with the students about bullying and the 'bystander' issue. Ralph only begins defending Piggy when it is too late. He should have defended him from the beginning.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A copy of the Faber & Faber 1997 edition of 'Lord of the Flies' is essential for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
The name 'Piggy' in 'Lord of the Flies' is ...
a name that Ralph made up for Piggy.
Piggy's real name.
Correct answer: a name that the character was called in school.
Q2.
What condition does Piggy have in 'Lord of the Flies'?
epilepsy
Correct answer: asthma
anxiety
a cleft lip
Q3.
What do we learn about Piggy's parents in Chapter 1 of 'Lord of the Flies'?
that they are famous back in Britain
that they abandoned him when he was a baby
that they are both in the Royal Navy
Correct answer: that they are dead
Q4.
What is Piggy's main priority on the island in 'Lord of the Flies'?
to have fun and explore
to become a successful hunter
to become a successful leader
Correct answer: to be rescued
Q5.
How does Piggy die in 'Lord of the Flies'?
he is burned in the fire that Jack set
he is mistaken for a pig and beaten to death by Roger
he is sacrificed by Jack to the beast
Correct answer: he is murdered by Roger during a dispute with Jack
Q6.
Piggy is a very vulnerable character in 'Lord of the Flies'. What might the word 'vulnerable' mean?
outcast and disregarded
Correct answer: able to be physically or emotionally hurt
depraved and savage
logical and rational
able to manipulate and mislead others

6 Questions

Q1.
Who is the first character to exclude Piggy in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Correct answer: Ralph
Jack
Simon
Roger
Q2.
What characteristics make Piggy different from the other boys in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Correct answer: he has asthma
he is 12 years old
he is wearing a school uniform
Correct answer: he is lower-class
Correct answer: he wears glasses
Q3.
Choose one word to complete the following sentence: Throughout 'Lord of the Flies', Piggy is by the other boys.
dehumanified
Correct answer: dehumanised
dehuman
dehumanise
Q4.
What does 'to ostracise' mean?
to deal with things in a sensible and realistic way
to use language to express the opposite of what is expected, for humour
Correct answer: to deprive someone of human qualities
to intentionally not include someone in a social group or activity
Q5.
What might Piggy represent in 'Lord of the Flies'?
savagery
Correct answer: civilisation
irrationality
Correct answer: logic
dictatorship
Q6.
Golding may have chosen the name Piggy for his character in 'Lord of the Flies' because ...
Piggy behaves like an animal throughout the text.
Correct answer: he is arguably one of the most human characters, so Golding is using irony.
Correct answer: it reflects the idea that he is treated like an animal throughout the text.
it reflects the savagery of the people around him.
it represents the physical vulnerabilities he has e.g. asthma and poor sight.