The Mask (W.B. Yeats)

Put off that mask of burning gold

With emerald eyes.

O no, my dear, you make so bold

To find if hearts be wild and wise,

And yet not cold.

I would but find what s there to find,

Love or deceit.

It was the mask engaged your mind,

And after set your heart to beat,

Not what s behind.

But lest you are my enemy,

I must enquire.

O no, my dear, let all that be;

What matter, so there is but fire

In you, in me?

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.

-Oscar Wilde

Lord of the Flies Mask Assignment

Objective:Students will demonstrate an understanding of the role of masking as it relates to language,human personality, and characters and thematic ideas in the novel Lord of the Flies.

Procedure:

1) Select a significant quotation from Lord of the Flies that has multiple meanings. The quote may besomething someone says or it may be description, but you are encouraged to find and use a quotation that you don’t think anyone else will use. Record the quote accurately and include the page number.

2) Construct a 2-sided mask. Mask requirements:

  • The basic form of the mask does not have to be a human face; while some masks may logicallyreflect a main character in the story, other masks might reflect geographical features on the islandor non-living identities.
  • The front of the mask must have the quotation written on it and must reflect or illustrate theliteral interpretation of the quotation.
  • The back of the mask must reflect or illustrate the implied meaning of the quotation.
  • The mask MUST BE HANDS-FREE WEARABLE.

Just as the boys are forced to do on the island, you are encouraged to use the supplies you have orfind to create your mask; you are NOT being asked/told to purchase craft-store materials for thisassignment, nor are you permitted to simply modify an old Halloween mask.

Be creative. Beoriginal. Recycle.

3) Write a one-page summary that includes

  • a description of what your mask shows
  • a description of themask construction (including aspects that were and were not successful)
  • a statement (with justification)about the grade you think you deserve on the assignment.
  • Use MLA format (including heading)

4) Stand in front of your classmates and present your mask. You will show your mask, talk about whatyou were trying to show, and talk about your experience in creating the mask.

Grading

mask (50) + written summary (40 pts) + presentation (10 pts) = 100 pts