Step 1: Identify Golding’s main points.
Step 2: Describe Henry’s attempt to gain mastery over the patch of sand on the beach. Referring to at least three quotes, explain their purpose and their link to the character’s views. Also, analyse Roger’s reaction to the stone-throwing.
- eg. preposterous
What narrative (language) elements are evident? Use quotes and give explanations.
“Wave-worn and whitened” (alliteration) ; the sun “emptied invisible arrows” (personification); Repetition / tripling – to talk, urge order; the ‘footprints became bays” (metaphor) ; the hair over the eyes: metaphor for the slipping away of a clear vision – reason is becoming clouded
- “Preposterous” time : contrary to nature, reason or sense
- “Taboo” : something forbidden or prohibited
- “Impalpable organs of sense” – imperceptible to the touch
- Strewn detritus – a loose mass of stones
- Like a myriad of tiny teeth – vast number of
- Made little runnels – a brook, or gutter.
Step 3: Learn new words and phrases: use in a sentence.
Step 4: Identify Golding’s views and values and write a text response paragraph.
- One is conditioned to treat others decently, but once that conditioning falls away, one’s tendency is to harm another.
- To harm another is to exercise power.
- It is human nature to strive to master other things and to take control.
- One tends to push the barriers / boundaries of the moral taboos.
- We have an ingrained, conditioned sense of morality that protects us from doing harm.
- Without the protective role of parents, children often harm others (lust for power; they are driven by a thirst to control.
Text response paragraph:
Golding suggests that a child’s tendency to seek mastery and control over his or her environment can lead to harm. He uses the image of Roger throwing stones at Henry to suggest that his instinct is to seek to harm others. However, he is stopped by the moral taboo – his parents, his school, policeman and the law. .. Roger’s fluttering eyes and the battering of his heart reflect the awakening of desire.
Return to Extension Activities