Study Guide: Unit 1

Miss B. Kierstead 1|Page

ELA 20-1

Study Guide: Unit 1

Theme: Conformity

Texts that will be studied in this thematic unit are as follows:

1. Poems: “The Unknown Citizen” & “St. George”
2. Short Stories: “The Pose” and “A Secret Lost In Water”
3. Novel: “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
4. Film: Dead Poets Society

Laws and rules are necessary to keep the darker side of human nature in order.

Satirical Poetry on (Conformity)Imprints 11 Textbook P. 194

St. George by Nancy Senior

1. Define Irony.

1. Define Satire

1. What is a Stereotype?

Theme: things are not always as they seem (knights are not always heroes; maidens are not always helpless; dragons are not always dangerous).

1. What is a gender-role stereotype?

Discussion:

1. Why would a knight consider a maiden with a dragon in need of rescue?

1. What does this poem reveal about society in the Middle ages?

1. What does this poem reveal about modern day society?

1. Who or what is the satirist ridiculing in this poem?

1. What do you think of the knight and his actions?

1. Define Tone.

1. How would you describe the tone of the humour in this poem? Did you find it funny?

1. Explain the significance of the title.

Poem: “The Unknown Citizen” by W. H Auden

Imprints 11 Textbook P. 195

Theme: contemporary society encourages conformity and therefore anonymity. Anonymity: the state of blending into a crowd and going unnoticed.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier refers to a grave in which the unidentifiable remains of a soldier are interred. Such tombs can be found in many nations and are usually high-profile national monuments. Throughout history, many soldiers have died in wars without their remains being identified

1. Discussion: Could Auden be describing contemporary society? Is conformity a good thing?

1. What is the object of ridicule or attack in this poem? Is it the “unknown citizen” or the society in which the citizen lives? If both who is the primary target of the humour?

Short Story:

“A Secret Lost in the Water” by Roch Carrier P. 94

Conformity: compliance with a fixed standard, regulation, or requirement.

A father attempts to pass on his knowledge of diving (finding water using a tree branch) to his son. The son has the gift, but is more interested in words and schooling. The son does not conform to his father’s wishes.

1. Identify one important skill or lesson you have been taught by an adult.

1. Read the introduction on P. 94, discuss the meaning of the pull quote, and what the sentence following it might mean. What gift do you think would be impossible to preserve?

1. Describe the relationship the narrator has with his father. Use a chart to show how the narrator and his father are similar, but also different.

How are they similar?

Father / Son

How are they different?

Father / Son

1. What point do you think the author, Roch Carrier, is making about the connections between fathers and sons?

1. Find at least three pieces of evidence to suggest that the narrator regrets that he has lost the secret his father gave him. Now find three details that suggest the narrator is happy with the decision he made about becoming a writer.

Narrators Regrets his decision / Narrator is Happy with his decision

Short Story “The Pose” by Anwer Khan P. 98

1. Though the exact setting of “THE POSE” is never mentioned, there are some references within the story that can help readers make an educated guess. Where and when do you think the story might take place?

1. What does the protagonist seem to gain from her impulsive decision to pose in the store window? Speculate on why she might have those reactions.

1. Why did the author choose to have the young woman remain nameless in the story?

1. How does this story relate to the motif of conformity?

1. Find two quotes in the story that support your theme?

1. Write a thematic statement about the short story “The Pose”. Make reference to the motif of conformity.

LORD OF THE FLIES

Chapter 1

Vocabulary

Write a one or two word definition for each of the following vocabulary words as they are used in the context of the novel.

a.multitude

b.logements

c.foliage

d.prominent

e.motif

f.efflorescence

g.effulgence

h.decorous

i.conch

j.fulcrum

k.embossed

l.intricacies

m.fluking

n.digit

o.stupendous

p.gorging

q.eccentric

r.precentor

s.furtive

t.pallidly

u.mortification

v.suffusion

w.defile

x.savor

y.contemptuous

z.hiatus

Chapter 1 Questions:

1. How did the boys reach a deserted island?

2. How did Ralph’s and Piggy’s reactions to the island differ?

3. What pleased Ralph most about the conditions on the island?

4. What did Piggy’s references to his “Auntie” reveal about his character?

5. Why did Ralph blow the conch shell?

6. What was the source of the threatening image of a “black bat-like creature” that appeared on the beach as Ralph blew the conch?

7. What was the source of the threatening image of “something dark . . . fumbling along”that appeared on the beach?

8. Why was Ralph elected leader?

9. Why did Ralph lead an exposition of three to investigate the land?

10. How did the northern side of the island compare to the southern side?

Literary Device:

I.Simile—A simile is a figure of speech in which two unlike objects are compared using the words “like” or “as.” For example:

. . . spots of blurred sunlight slid over their bodies or moved like bright, winged things in the shade.

What is being compared?

LORD OF THE FLIES

Chapter 2

Questions:

1. How did the contrast between Jack’s and Ralph’s personalities reveal itself at the meeting?

2. In what ways did Piggy show himself to be more of a realist than any of the other boys?

3. Why did Piggy hand Ralph the conch shell at the meeting?

4. Why did all of the young children express fear at the meeting?

5. Why did Ralph want to light a fire on the mountain?

6. How did most of the boys react when their fire went out of control? What was Piggy’s response?

7. Why did Piggy scold Ralph and Jack?

Literary Element: Characterization

Consider the good and bad qualities of the following characters. Use the chart below to record your answers.

Characters / Good / Bad
Ralph
Jack
Piggy

Literary Device:

II.Simile—What is being compared in the following simile?

The flames, as though they were a kind of wild life, crept as a jaguar creeps on its belly toward a line of birch-like saplings that fledged an outcrop of the pink rock.

II.Symbolism—A symbol in literature is an object, a person, or an event that represents an idea or a set of ideas. What do you think the conch shell symbolizes here at the beginning of the novel?

Chapter 1 and 2 (Lord of the Flies)Symbolism

Objective: Recognizing important symbols in the story

Activity

Two important symbols are introduced early in this novel: the conch shell and Piggy’s glasses. In the Symbolism in Chapters 1 and 2 pages that follow, find the quotations from the text which mention these items, and then write a statement discussing what abstract idea, symbol, or concept you believe each represents. Add to the chart when you encounter other instances of symbolism that refer to Piggy, his glasses, or the conch.

SYMBOLISM IN CHAPTERS 1 AND 2

The Conch Shell

“S’right. It’s a shell! I seen one like that before. On someone’s back wall. A conch he called it. He used to

blow it and then his mum could come. It’s ever so valuable—”

Ralph grasped the idea and hit the shell with air from his diaphragm. Immediately the thing sounded. A

deep, harsh note boomed under the palms, spread through intricacies of the forest, and echoed back from the

pink granite of the mountain. Clouds of birds rose from the treetops, and something squealed and ran in the

undergrowth.

The conch was silent, a gleaming tusk; Ralph’s face was dark with breathlessness and the air over the

island was full of bird-clamor and echoes ringing.

“I bet you can hear that for miles.”

Ralph found his breath and blew a series of short blasts.

Piggy exclaimed: “There’s one!”

A child had appeared among the palms, about a hundred yards along the beach.

But there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive

appearance; and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch. The being that had blown that, had

sat waiting for them on the platform with the delicate thing balanced on his knees, was set apart.

“That’s what this shell’s called. I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s

speaking.”

Statement of what the conch shell represents in the story: ______

SYMBOLISM IN CHAPTERS 1 AND 2 (CONT.)

Piggy's Glasses

“That’s right. Can’t catch my breath. I was the only boy in our school what had asthma,” said the fat boy

with a touch of pride. “And I’ve been wearing specs since I was three.”

Piggy took off his glasses and blinked at the assembly while he wiped them on his shirt.

“You’re hindering Ralph. You’re not letting him get to the most important thing.”

He paused effectively.

“Who knows we’re here? Eh?”

“They knew at the airport.”

“The man with a trumpet-thing—”

“My dad.”

Piggy put on his glasses.

“Nobody knows where we are,” said Piggy. He was paler than before and breathless. “Perhaps they knew

where we was going to; and perhaps not. But they don’t know where we are ’cos we never got there.”

Jack pointed suddenly.

“His specs—use them as burning glasses!”

Piggy was surrounded before he could back away.

“Here—let me go!” His voice rose to a shriek of terror as Jack snatched the glasses off his face. “Mind out!

Give ’em back! I can hardly see! You’ll break the conch!”

Statement of what Piggy’s glasses represent in the story: ______

LORD OF THE FLIES

Chapter 3

Vocabulary

Write a one or two word definition for each of the following vocabulary words as they are used in the context of the novel.

a. festooned

b.inscrutable

c.vicissitudes

d. declivities

Questions:

1. What words and phrases at the beginning of Chapter Three pointed up Jack’s animallike appearance and actions?

2. How skilful was Jack on his first hunting expedition?

3. Why is Ralph frustrated in his attempts to have the boys build shelters?

4. Why was Ralph more concerned about being rescued than Jack?

5. At first, Jack and Ralph were friendly. Now it is noted that their “antagonism was audible.” What was pulling them apart?

6. Why did the littluns follow Simon?

7. Why had Simon come to the forest? In what ways were his feelings about the forest different from those of the others?

Lord of the Flies: Chapter 4

Vocabulary

Write a one or two word definition for each of the following vocabulary words as they are used in the context of the novel.

a. whelming

b.opalescence

c. detritus

d.myriad

e.incursion

f.swarthiness

g.tacitly

h.dispersing

i. malevolently

Questions:

1. Why was night more difficult than day for the boys marooned on the island?

2. In what way did Roger’s actions against Henry indicate that he still retained some ties to his civilized past?

3. How did Jack free himself from shame and guilt that came from his need to hunt and kill?

4. How did the boys’ general appearance suggest that they were no longer English schoolboys, but were part of a more primitive order?

5. Why was Piggy always an outsider to Ralph, Jack, Maurice, and most of the other older boys?

6. Why didn’t Jack apologize at first for letting the fire go out?

Literary Devices:

I.Symbolism—What do you think Piggy’s spectacles and their partial destruction symbolize?

What do you think the slaughter of the pig symbolized?______

Simile—What is being compared in the following simile?

. . . and there the sun gazed down like an angry eye.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Chapters 1 – 4 (Symbolism: The Ship as a Symbol)

Some critics believe that in Lord of the Flies, the ship is an important symbol. Read the following quotations from Chapter 4, which mention the ship and then note on “The Ship as a Symbol Chart” how the character(s) involved feels about the ship. The first one is done for you as an example.

At the bottom of the chart, write a sentence stating what abstract idea or concept you believe the departing ship represents for the boys.

The Ship as a Symbol Chart:

Passage From the Text / How the character feels/what the symbol implies
Ralph continued to watch the ship, ravenously. Color was coming back into his face. Simon stood by him, silent. / Ralph: stunned, craving
Simon: shock
“You tell me,” said Piggy anxiously. “Is there a signal?”
Ralph looked back at the dispersing smoke in the horizon,
then up at the mountain.” / Piggy:
Ralph:
Ralph ran stumbling along the rocks; saved himself on the edge of the pink, cliff, and screamed at the ship. “Come back! Come back!” He ran backwards and forwards along the cliff, his face always to the sea, and his voice rose insanely. “Come back! Come back!” / Ralph:
The hunters were more silent now, but at this [blood] they buzzed again. Ralph flung back his hair. One arm pointed at the empty horizon. His voice was loud and savage, and struck them into silence. “There was a ship.” Jack, faced at once with too many awful implications, ducked away from them. / Ralph:
Jack:
Ralph brought his arm down, fist clenched, and his voice
shook. “There was a ship. Out there. You said you’d keep
the fire going and you let it out!” He took a step toward
Jack, who turned and faced him. “They might have seen us.
We might have gone home—” This was too bitter for Piggy,
who forgot his, timidity in the agony of his loss. He began
to cry out, shrilly: “You and your blood, Jack Merridew! You
and your hunting! We might have gone home—” / Ralph:
Piggy:
“There was a ship—” One of the smaller hunters began to
wail. The dismal truth was filtering through to everybody.
Jack went very red as he hacked and pulled at the pig. “The
job was too much. We needed everyone.”
Hunters: / Jack:

The ship represents: ______

Chapters 1 – 4

Symbolism

Some critics do not see the ship in this way, but instead they believe the fire is the main symbol for the

boys’ connection to civilization. Prepare a chart, similar to the one on the ship as a symbol.

Note at least three passages from the chapter referring to the signal fire. The first entry is done for you. At the bottom of the chart, state your opinion as to the importance of the ship and the fire to the story.

Passage From the Text / How the character feels/what the symbol implies
Ralph reached inside himself for the worst word he knew.
“They let the bloody fire go out.” / Ralph: anger
…a tiny flame appeared. The flame, nearly invisible at first
in that bright sunlight, enveloped a small twig, grew, was
enriched with color and reached up to a branch which
exploded with a sharp crack. The flame flapped higher and
the boys broke into a cheer. / The Boys:
The flames, as though they were a kind of wild life, crept as a
jaguar creeps on its belly toward a line of birch-like saplings
that fledged an outcrop of the pink rock. They flapped at the
first of the trees, and the branches grew a brief foliage of fire.
The heart of flame leapt nimbly across the gap between the
trees and then went swinging and flaring along the whole row
of them. Beneath the capering boys a quarter of a mile square
of forest was savage with smoke and flame. / The Flames:
Piggy stood up and pointed to the smoke and flames…. The
crowd was as silent as death. “Him that talked about snakes.
He was down there—” A tree exploded in the fire like a
bomb. Tall swathes of creepers rose for a moment into view,
agonized, and went down again. The little boys screamed at
them. “Snakes! Snakes! Look at the snakes!” / Piggy:
The Actual Fire:
The fire was dead. They saw that straightaway… / The Fire Symbolically:
Before these fantastically attractive flowers of violet and red
and yellow, unkindness melted away. They became a circle of
boys round a camp fire and even Piggy and Ralph were halfdrawn
in. / The Fire:

Statement of Opinion: ______

LORD OF THE FLIES: CHAPTER 5

Vocabulary

Write a one or two word definition for each of the following vocabulary words as they are used in the context of the novel.