New
New
Year 9

Considering the presentation of Ralph in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'

I can explain how Ralph changes throughout the novel and what he represents.

New
New
Year 9

Considering the presentation of Ralph in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'

I can explain how Ralph changes throughout the novel and what he represents.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. As elected leader, Ralph represents an early desire for law, order and civility.
  2. Golding uses colour symbolism to characterise Ralph as possessing the qualities of an effective and charismatic leader.
  3. Ralph's participation in the murder of Simon illustrates human beings' capacity for savagery and brutality.
  4. Ralph's naivety fades away as he begins to recognise the savagery that exists in supposedly-civilised people.
  5. Ralph's faith in democracy is arguably his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.

Keywords

  • Protagonist - the main character in a text

  • Charismatic - charming and compelling

  • Naïve - showing a lack of effective judgement, often based on a lack of experience or optimism

  • Heinous - extremely wicked and cruel

  • Democracy - a system of government whereby leaders are voted in by election

Common misconception

Students have a tendency to view Ralph as a morally-virtuous character who does no wrong.

Ralph does behave immorally and wickedly in the text - he is mean to Piggy about his asthma and he participates in the murder of Simon. What separates Ralph from the others is the remorse he shows for his actions and how he learns from them.

You could challenge students to think about what Golding is trying to show us about democracy - that it is fragile. They could then link this to the WWII backdrop the novel is set against.
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 serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

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.
How did Ralph gain power in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Jack chose him as the leader
Correct answer: he was elected into power
he nominated himself as leader
Q2.
What colour hair does Ralph have in 'Lord of the Flies'?
red hair
black hair
Correct answer: fair hair
brown hair
Q3.
Which boys side with Ralph throughout 'Lord of the Flies'?
Jack
Correct answer: Piggy
Roger
Correct answer: Simon
Correct answer: Sam and Eric
Q4.
Which of the following statements about William Golding is true?
Correct answer: He served in the Royal Navy in WWII.
He was a university professor before the war.
He did not serve in the Second World War.
He was involved in a plane crash as a child.
He was a political leader himself.
Q5.
In the beginning of 'Lord of the Flies', how does Ralph react to the realisation that there are no grown-ups on the island?
Correct answer: He does a headstand and grins.
He cries and sobs.
He initially cries, but then shouts in excitement.
He can't believe it and goes off in search of adults.
Q6.
What are the common traits of a democratic leader?
rules through fear and intimidation
Correct answer: listens to others' opinions
makes decisions without considering others
Correct answer: utilises voting in decision making
makes decisions that will benefit them personally

6 Questions

Q1.
Which words does Golding use to characterise Ralph in the beginning of 'Lord of the Flies'?
"warm"
"sunny"
Correct answer: "golden"
Correct answer: "fair"
"light"
Q2.
The is the main character in a text.
Correct Answer: protagonist
Q3.
What is Ralph's main priority as leader in 'Lord of the Flies'?
to become a skilled hunter
Correct answer: to be rescued
to explore the island
to have fun without any adults
Q4.
What might Ralph represent in 'Lord of the Flies'?
savagery
evil
Correct answer: morality
Correct answer: democracy
vulnerability
Q5.
What decision does Ralph make in the first chapter of 'Lord of the Flies' that could be described as naive?
he makes Jack leader of the group
he is rude to Piggy about his asthma and glasses
he destroys the only available food source
Correct answer: he gives Jack permission to use the choir as he pleases
he frightens the littluns with stories of the Beast
Q6.
In what way does Ralph change in 'Lord of the Flies'?
his morality dissipates - he becomes just as greedy and wicked as the others
Correct answer: his naivety fades, as he recognises the savagery within man
he does not change at all - he treads a moral path throughout
he becomes more ignorant, as he turns a blind eye to the cruelty around him