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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Lord of the Flies

42 replies

1805 · 28/03/2012 20:55

Anyone else's dc studied this in Y5?
If so, did they really understand it?

We have had to consent to dc reading this (which I have) because of the language used at times.
Not entirely sure dc will fully grasp the deep messages of the book. If not, could it spoil the book for the dc, or even be a waste of time?
I do think the teacher is good, but wonder if this is a step too far???

Please tell me lots of Y5 study it and it's ok.

Thank you.

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notnowImreading · 28/03/2012 21:04

It's on the syllabus for GCSE! I wouldn't have thought of it as a year 5 text because of the bleakness of the vision. Then again, it's all about how the teacher delivers it. He/she may be able to unlock the glorious wildness of the idea without scaring the pants off the kids, in which case they will enjoy the early parts of the book in particular.

Original poster

1805 · 28/03/2012 21:09

GCSE!!!!! Lordy, why do it now then? Surely wait until they can fully grasp the implications of the book.
Is there a 'junior' version of the book?

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FiveHoursSleep · 28/03/2012 21:12

Not LOTF, but our Yr 5's are doing Macbeth! DD1's synopsis is hilarious!

notnowImreading · 28/03/2012 21:14

Not as far as I know. If they've written to ask your permission, it's obviously something they've thought about and prepared - not just some old hand-me-down books from the back of the cupboard. Your dc might get some truly experimental, exciting teaching out if it. It's a brilliant book; if you haven't read it yourself, I would. I expect you'll want to discuss it with dc as they go through it. It's very dark in places. I'll be very interested to know how they get on with it, if you want to post again when they're underway.

Ineedalife · 28/03/2012 21:18

I did it for O level( yes i am old!!) It gave me nightmares.

Make sure you talk to your dc to check they are not disturbed by the content.

IHeartKingThistle · 28/03/2012 21:19

OH FFS - will they leave our GCSE texts ALONE!!! How the bloody hell are we supposed to get them engaged at 16 if they've done it at 10! Bloody ridiculous

I was a voracious reader. I read LOTF at 14 and it freaked me out - I wasn't ready for it. It's terrifying.

But I loved it at GCSE.

It's not the language that's the problem. Does the HT know about this?

BackforGood · 28/03/2012 21:23

None of mine read it in Primary (as a class or individually) - I think it's a bit 'deep' for that age, even those who are advanced readers. I'm quite surprised tbh. That said, I'm only going from memory (read it at school when I was 14 or 15).

Hassled · 28/03/2012 21:25

I tried reading it to my younger DSs when they would have been 8 and 12. Neither were ready for it and we gave up. There are long passages of (beautiful) descriptive text which bored the youngest, and I could see that other parts were really starting to upset the older DS. DS3 is in Yr 5 now and I really can't see his class getting it at all.

The bit at the end is the saddest thing I think I've ever read - "Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man?s heart, and the fall through the air of a true, wise friend called Piggy."

Original poster

1805 · 28/03/2012 21:32

We were encouraged to watch the (upper) school production of it which we did, so I will see if he understands it more in 3 months time. I don't think he's ever been exposed to such emotions and 'wildness' before. I did express this in my consent, and received a supportive and encouraging reply. I hope this goes ok.

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Original poster

1805 · 28/03/2012 21:34

Hassled - I'm having second thoughts now.

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Original poster

1805 · 28/03/2012 21:35

Maybe I've done the wrong thing.

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IHeartKingThistle · 28/03/2012 21:38

Honestly, I would not give consent for my primary school child to read that book. There is time enough to learn about the evils of human nature.

Sorry if I sound melodramatic, but I do feel quite strongly about this.

NonnyMuss · 28/03/2012 21:41

I read it at 34, unwisely read the last couple of chapters in the bath by candlelight while alone in the house.
Can't read anything in the bath now, bloody terrifying.

I'd be if dd's class was reading it.

NonnyMuss · 28/03/2012 21:43

Also, what King said ^

Tinuviel · 28/03/2012 21:54

I wouldn't be happy either - it freaked me out at 14. It's a horrible book anyway!

mummytime · 28/03/2012 21:57

I wouldn't give permission, Its worse than The boy in the Stripped Pjamas which I also objected too. Totally unsuitable for that age group IMHO. I did it for O'level, and it's great but not year 5.

JoannaPancake · 28/03/2012 21:59

Oh blimey, my Y5 DS is going to be studying LOTF next term. Am having second thoughts now and wondering if I know 1805

Original poster

1805 · 28/03/2012 22:03

To be fair, it's just one group that's reading it, not the whole class.
I just have to trust the teacher. It's obviously been a considered decision.
Will monitor English books and discuss with ds regulary.

NotnowImReading - will let you know how they get on.

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IHeartKingThistle · 28/03/2012 22:11

Sorry OP but why did you ask? Everyone bar 1 poster has told you it's unsuitable but you appear to not be listening.

workshy · 28/03/2012 22:13

my DD yr5 read this because she chose to on the free reader scheme last term

her take on the book is that it is about some boys that crash on an island, and they get on ok at first and then fall out the longer they are on the island and that Jack and Ralph hate each other
there is bullying and a power struggle and piggy dies, which she was a bit sad about but she sees it as a story about good vs evil and sometimes evil wins -her rationale

she has completely missed some of the deeper metaphorical meanings and references of the book

I think she has understood it to a point, wasn't scared by it and didn't get the level of enjoyment of it that I did when I read it aged 20 for the 2nd time after having it forced down my throat for 6months during my GCSEs

Original poster

1805 · 28/03/2012 22:16

Well, tbh, I was hoping for some "my dc did it in Y5 and loved it" comments.
I am surprised teacher has chosen this book, but will trust the teachers decision.

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missmiss · 28/03/2012 22:17

I read it and loved it at 12; studied it for GCSE and enjoyed the fact that I was by then able to understand it on a deeper level. Brilliant book.

I think a bright Y5 with good reading comprehension might easily enjoy it as a story, but I think the symbolism (i.e. the real point of the book) would go over his head. Doesn't mean he shouldn't read it though; I don't profess to understand The Wasteland but I bloody love it.

IHeartKingThistle · 28/03/2012 22:19

I'm really not trying to hound you on this but there's a REASON you haven't had any of those comments.

I'll drop it now.

Original poster

1805 · 28/03/2012 22:20

IHeart - point taken.

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startail · 28/03/2012 22:23

It's VILE! I read it in Y9 and I absolutely hated it.
Ok I wear glasses and got bullied and although I wasn't fat, I really felt for piggy. The whole book gets too close to condoning bullying for my liking.

I would not let my DDs read it in primary.

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