Mask Art Project – Lord of the Flies
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
- Oscar Wilde
Masks allow us to choose how the world sees us. In a sense, we put on a “mask” every day: The
way we present ourselves to the world – school, public places, work. Maybe only those closest to
us see us as we really are. The face we give to the world lets us show – and hide – specific things
about ourselves, just like Jack can hide behind the charcoal on his face…
“... the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid,
liberated from shame and self-consciousness” (p. 64).
 Create your own mask. Like the masks in Lord of the Flies, your mask needs to have
elements of the “face” that the public sees and elements of the “face” that depicts
how you feel you really are.
 Use unlined paper to plan your mask. Use crayons, colored pencils, or markers. Be
original and neat.
 Use the mask provided to create your mask.
MASK
RUBRIC
EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
MEETS EXPECTATIONS
DOES NOT MEET
EXPECTATIONS
SYMBOLS
Clearly represents your
shame/self-consciousness and/or
freedom from it; Are well
chosen by you.
APPEARANCE
Obvious that the you took
great pride in your work;
design & construction is neat &
colorful; a real “wow!” effect
CREATIVITY
Totally original design/layout;
unique & unexpected use of
color, line, form, materials, etc.
Clearly represents your
shame/self-consciousness
and/or freedom from it
but does not reveal
personal insights.
Mask is neat & colorful;
may have one or two
elements that detract
from its overall
appearance
At least one aspect of the
mask design/layout is
unique (goes beyond the
predictable).
Symbols are
inappropriate/not related
to you, except by
perhaps a loose
association (“stretch”)
Mask looks thrown
together at the last
minute; appears that little
design or planning was
done.
Design/layout is ordinary
or expected
Write a 2-paragraph essay describing your mask. The essay needs to be in blue or black ink
or typed.
a. Paragraph 1: Describe what you wanted to show and hide about yourself in your mask,
and explain how your mask accomplishes this. What does your “public” face depict? What
does your “real” face depict? Explain the symbolism in your mask. What rationale do you
have for your color choices.
•first person point of view
b. Paragraph 2: Describe the manner of masking. When do people wear masks? Why do
they? What do the masks give them, or how do the masks change them? Think about some
of the different personas you “wear” on a regular basis. Why do you employ them? Are
they necessary? Do they help or hinder you? A persona is defined as “an individual's social
facade or front that reflects the role in life the individual is playing; the personality that a
person projects in any given environment.” Do they help or hinder?
•first person point of view