In Lord of the Flies Chapter 8, students will take a look at Simon as a Christ-like figure. This lesson includes an Teen Ink that provides some analysis for students to consider, particularly Simon’s haunting encounter with the pig’s head. This lesson is crafted to deepen students’ comprehension of the novel’s intricate symbolism and thematic richness, with a special focus on psychoanalytic and religious symbolism. Our journey begins with a reflective reading of the article, followed by an engaging exploration of Chapter 8. This approach is designed to sharpen students’ analytical acumen, enabling them to dissect complex literary elements and unravel the layers of meaning in Simon’s pivotal scene and the chapter at large. As we tackle the chapter questions, students will be encouraged to critically examine character interactions and the profound symbolic imagery through these specialized lenses.
Learning Goals
- I will be able to identify and understand the symbolic significance of Simon’s encounter with the pig’s head.
- I will gain insights into the application of psychoanalytic theory in literature, particularly in interpreting the pig’s head as a representation of the collective unconscious.
- I will be able to provide support for my ideas with evidence from the text and the article.
Materials
Process
- Before reading Lord of the Flies Chapter 8, read the attached article from Teen Ink.
- Read Chapter 8 of Lord of the Flies.
- Answer the chapter questions.
Lord of the Flies Chapter 8 Questions
- In what ways is Simon’s encounter with the pig’s head an analogy for Christ’s temptation by Satan?
- In the scene, Simon is being tested. Explain this.
- Explain the pig’s head using a psychoanalytic lens. Hint: it has something to do with the collective unconscious.
- Explan Roger and his actions using a psychoanalytic lens.
