Beginning, Research, Displaying

At the beginning at this workshop, we were given the first page of Lord of the Flies so we decided to analyse the text given based on the following principles; colour, imagery and language.

As a result of our research so far, we have decided to make teepees out of twigs and masking tape to represent the huts built by the boys. We have also decided to build teepees of various sizes to represent the different age groups of the boys. As we were given three tables to display our outcome, we have decided to allocate each table as the beginning, middle and end. In the table that represents the beginning of the story, we placed our smaller teepees showing how the characters at first were innocent, vulnerable almost fragile against nature and as the story progresses, one by one they gradually turn into darker, unforgiving savages hence placing bigger teepees towards the third table. At first, we wanted to use the teepees as a representation of the different characters however after building the teepees, we were able to see how different the teepees are and how the larger teepees look almost monstrous against the smaller ones therefore we ended up using the teepees as a symbol of personality.

We have also decided to use masking tape to represent the progression of personalities throughout the story. As masking tape is quite fragile and flexible - much like the personality of a child therefore we thought that by using masking tape, its flexibility will allow us to demonstrate and represent changes in the characters' personalities.

At first, the masking tapes are stuck on, smooth and straight representing the island from the children's eyes and how they see it as an escape from the conflict of war happening at home.

However as time passes, they begin to come to realise that the island may not be as accommodating as they initially thought it was and was very dangerous. From this, we then proceeded to placed twigs and paper in the middle table to cause an obstacle and therefore in order to get over the obstacles, the tape would have to lay over the twigs, getting twisted and turned in process; much like the children's personalities. In the end, when virtually nothing is left of our characters' personalities, we ripped up tape, bunching and scrunching some, teared up most however leaving one untouched, representing Ralph, the only character that remained civilised in the end.​​

If we were to do it again, we would have left more space in between the first and second table as most of the events that shaped the characters all happened in the last six days of the novel. Therefore by leaving such space, we would be able to accurately represent the time in which certain things have happened within the book. Furthermore, as the book starts off very peaceful almost lyrical, it would have been very effective to have the tapes running very smooth and then suddenly, like within the book, events happened abruptly that threw the main characters off course causing everything to fall apart, the tape then has to go through a series of objects and twigs causing the tape to bend and fold and finally shredded into pieces.

We would have also left out the paper element as it was not incorporated in other aspects of the outcome and therefore ended up looking out of place placed in the middle.

After every group has finished their display, we then went around other groups' tables looking at how they interpreted their given narrative and how they have chosen to display it. We found it very inspiring as we got to see different techniques people have chosen to represent era, location and time and what techniques really work and what techniques don't. We also had to complete a feedback form commenting on our views on the groups' use of image, text, composition and structure. This allowed us to really dig deep and pick apart a certain section of the display that maybe stood out to everyone in our group and I personally enjoyed listening to the different variations of narrative people interpreted from the same display. When we were done, we then looked at the feed back we have received from other groups which was very effective because it allowed our group insight in to how other people who have zero to none initial information on Lord of the Flies, interpret our display.

My group have thoroughly enjoyed this workshop as it has shown us the various ways in which objects can represent and even provide their own narrative. For example, when we used twigs, we didn't realise but they suggested that the characters within the book even though were not alone, they still had to provide for themselves.