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Year 9

Exploring Simon's role as an outsider and as Jack's foil in 'Lord of the Flies'

I can explain what Simon represents in 'Lord of the Flies'.

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Year 9

Exploring Simon's role as an outsider and as Jack's foil in 'Lord of the Flies'

I can explain what Simon represents in 'Lord of the Flies'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Arguably, Simon is characterised as a self-imposed an outsider.
  2. Simon is thoughtful, insightful and spiritual, and has a deep appreciation and respect for all living things.
  3. Simon's ceremonious burial is arguably symbolic of his close relationship with nature.
  4. Simon is arguably used as a foil character to Jack - the two are opposites.
  5. Simon's character reminds us that there is innate good in mankind as well as evil - we don't have to choose savagery.

Keywords

  • Compassionate - kind and considerate of others

  • Insightful - intelligent and perceptive - sees things differently from other people

  • Foil characters - two characters that are contrasted with one another to highlight specific traits and qualities

  • Spirituality - being in touch not only with oneself, but the world around one too, in a sensitive and intuitive way

  • Ceremonious - suggestive of a grand and formal occasion

Common misconception

Pupils often overlook Simon's significance in this novel.

Simon is a very important character because he shows us that, in a world of evil, we can still act in a compassionate and civilised manner. Through Simon, Golding reminds us that our behaviour is a choice.

You may wish to explore an extract from Simon's ceremonious burial under the visualiser with your class. You could pick out the words on the task slide and discuss them as a group. There is real beauty and tranquillity in Golding's syntax as well as his vocabulary.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 'Lord of the Flies', Faber & Faber; Main edition (3 Mar. 1997) for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
  • 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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who is Simon in 'Lord of the Flies'?
the group's leader
an aggressive, strong-willed member of the group
a physically-strong and skilled hunter
Correct answer: a quiet, introspective member of the group
an intelligent and strategic voice of reason within the group
Q2.
How does Simon die in 'Lord of the Flies'?
he drowns while trying to escape the island
Correct answer: he is killed by the other boys
he falls from a cliff
he is bitten by a poisonous snake
he dies in the fire on the island
Q3.
Who is the only character to acknowledge how Simon really died in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Jack
Piggy
Correct answer: Ralph
Samneric
Roger
Q4.
What does Simon come to understand about the "beast" on the island in 'Lord of the Flies'?
that it is a real creature
Correct answer: that it is a figment of the boys' imagination
that it is a friendly animal
that it is a group of wild pigs
Correct answer: that the true beast is the evil inside mankind
Q5.
What is the idea of 'original sin'?
the idea that a small number of men are born with evil in their hearts
Correct answer: the idea that every man has evil within their heart
the idea that men are not born evil, but made evil
the idea that men can never be truly evil
Q6.
Starting with the first, put the events of 'Lord of the Flies' in chronological order.
1 - A vote is held. Ralph is elected leader
2 - Jack struggles to kill a pig, but vows to be ruthless next time.
3 - A parachutist's dead body falls onto the island and hangs in a tree.
4 - Jack and his hunters put a pig's head on a stick as a gift for the beast.
5 - Simon discovers the truth about the beast, but is killed before he can reveal it
6 - Piggy and Ralph go to Castle Rock to confront Jack about Piggy's stolen glasses.
7 - Piggy is murdered by Roger. Jack orders the hunting and killing of Ralph.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are foil characters?
the protagonist and the antagonist are also known as foil characters
two characters that are very similar, used to highlight specific qualities
characters that are interacting with one another at any given point
Correct answer: two characters that have opposite traits used to highlight specific qualities
Q2.
Which of the following statements are true about Simon in Chapter 1 of 'Lord of the Flies'?
We learn that Simon is a popular choir member.
Correct answer: We learn that Simon often faints.
We learn that Simon is Jack's second-in-command.
Correct answer: We learn that Simon is part of Jack's choir.
Q3.
In what way is Simon a self-imposed outsider in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Correct answer: He refuses to get involved with the politics of the group.
He is rude to the other boys, which isolates him from them.
Correct answer: He physically isolates himself from the group - he seeks comfort in nature.
Simon refuses to help with any of the group's chores, like making shelters.
Q4.
Which of the following words are used to describe the ceremonious burial of Simon in 'Lord of the Flies'?
"rushed"
Correct answer: "silvered"
Correct answer: "gently"
"dragged"
"cleansed"
Q5.
Match the vocabulary up to its definition.
Correct Answer:compassionate,kind and considerate of others

kind and considerate of others

Correct Answer:insightful,intelligent and perceptive - sees things differently from other people

intelligent and perceptive - sees things differently from other people

Correct Answer:spirituality,being in touch not only with oneself, but the world around one too

being in touch not only with oneself, but the world around one too

Correct Answer:ceremonious,suggestive of a grand and formal occasion

suggestive of a grand and formal occasion

Q6.
Why might Golding have created the character of Simon in 'Lord of the Flies'?
to explore the idea of innate evil and the savagery we are all capable of
to represent democracy, order and logic
Correct answer: to remind us of the innate good that exists within humanity
Correct answer: to symbolise the death of innocence and purity on the island
Correct answer: to show us how to form a respectful relationship with the world around us