Lord of the Flies - Symbolism
English
Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
A worksheet focusing on the symbolism in Lord of the Flies, designed for Grade 8 students to analyze literary devices and themes.
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Lord of the Flies - Symbolism
Subject: EnglishGrade: Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet
Grade Grade 8
A
Scene Summary and Context
In Lord of the Flies, the island setting becomes a microcosm of society, where the characters’ behaviors and symbols reveal deeper themes of civilization, savagery, and human nature. The story begins with a plane crash that leaves a group of boys stranded on a remote island. As they attempt to organize themselves and establish rules, symbols such as the conch shell and the signal fire emerge as representations of order, authority, and hope. Over time, the symbols take on new meanings as the boys' civilization deteriorates, leading to chaos and violence. The 'Lord of the Flies,' a pig's head on a stick, symbolizes the primal instincts and the emerging savagery within the boys. These symbols serve as powerful tools that reflect the theme of the thin veneer of civilization and the darker aspects of human nature. Words and phrases like 'the beast,' 'the conch,' and 'the pig's head' repeatedly evoke themes of fear, power, and chaos, making the symbols central to understanding the novel’s message about humanity.
B
Questions on Symbolism in Lord of the Flies
Answer each question thoughtfully, providing evidence from the text where appropriate.
1.
What does the conch shell symbolize in the novel?
[2 marks]2.
Describe the significance of the 'Lord of the Flies' pig's head in relation to the novel's themes.
[3 marks]3.
Identify a literary technique used to convey the symbolism of the 'beast' in the novel.
Aa) Metaphor
Bb) Personification
Cc) Hyperbole
Dd) Irony
4.
Analyze how the signal fire functions symbolically in the story.
5.
Explain how the destruction of the conch shell reflects the theme of the decline of order.
[2 marks]6.
Create a short paragraph describing what the 'beast' symbolizes and how it affects the boys' behavior.
7.
Identify and explain the use of a literary device in the following phrase: 'The head on the stick was a terrible sight.'
[2 marks]8.
In your own words, describe how the symbols in Lord of the Flies help develop its overall message about human nature.
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Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet