Pre-AP: IWA #2

Drop Dead Deadline: November 5th

Write an in-depth character analysis on one of the four (4) major characters in William Golding's Lord of the Flies (Ralph, Piggy, Jack, or Simon). Do not merely summarize the character, but profile him based on the rhetorical strategies Golding uses.

As you write, consider the following:

1. Symbolically, what role does your character play in the novel? (religious: saint, martyr, demon, etc.; political: despot, counselor, pacifier, etc.; or religious/political allusion) – This should be your thesis.


2. What are the traits, activities or objects associated with the character that lead you to determine this role?


3. What are his motivations?


4. How does he react to the situation on the island? What does this reveal about character?


5. How do the other boys treat him? How does this reveal character?


6. Does he die? If so, how and why? If not, why not? What deeper meaning is there to his death (or reason for him to remain alive)

Use as much textual evidence as possible to strengthen your claims. Lack of significant textual evidence will result in a “rewrite,” rather than a “revise” grade.

“Diction” should be used for its connotative—not denotative—value.

NO: The boy was a bully. (This is direct characterization and will result in summary.)

YES: He sneered at us like a Roman emperor about to consign Christians to the lions. (This is indirect characterization and can be analyzed based on diction (sneered), allusion (Roman emperor executing Christians), alliteration (hard /c/ sound) and allows plenty of room for interpretation.)

You may use your notes from class, the Professor book, and the articles we have read together, but your writing MUST be your own. Do NOT quote the Professor book; restate Foster’s ideas in your own words.

All drafts/submissions MUST be typed and take the entire novel into account. The sooner you finish reading the novel, the more time you will have to write your IWA. Remember to submit early so if/when you have to rewrite or revise you will have time to maximize your grade.