Lord of the Flies Post- Reading Questions

Transcription

1 Lord of the Flies Post- Reading Questions 1. Explain all the ways the ending is ironic. Why does the Naval officer seem so surprised by their behavior? Isn t he participating in a war himself? 2. If left alone, human nature will be pulled to the id side. Do you agree or disagree? Explain. Think about the novel, the video and history. 3. Explain how the story takes place in a microcosm. (yes, you should look this up) 4. Do you think the same thing would happen with adults? What if this was a group of all girls?

2 5. How much do you think the boys will tell the adults after they return home? Do you think they will just return to their normal selves when the go back to school? What problems might they have as a result of their experience? 6. Which scene do you remember most vividly? Why? 7. What would you say to critics who feel novels such as Lord of the Flies have no place in the classroom- that they portray an ugly, frightening side of human nature that young people cannot really be expected to understand- or at least should not be exposed to? 8. On what note does the story seem to end, optimistic or pessimistic? Does Golding seem to have hope for human nature?

3 9. How would the story be different without the deaths of the boy with the birthmark, Simon and Piggy? 10. How long do you think the story took place? What factors lead to the complete breakdown of society? Are you surprised by how quickly it seems to have taken place? 11. Imagine one day Jack shows up for a job interview, and Ralph is the boss. What would they say to each other? 12. Did you like this book? What can we learn from reading this?

4 Quote analysis: For each of the following quotes, identify the speaker or the person being described and explain why its significant. Chapter 5 Beast from Water 1. We have lots of assemblies. Everybody enjoys speaking and being together. We decide things. But they don t get done. 2. I wanted to go to a place- a place I know. Just a place I know. A place in the jungle 3. Maybe, maybe there is a beast. What I mean is..maybe it s only us. 4. Bullocks to the rules! We re strong- we hunt! If there s a beast, we ll hunt it down! We ll close in and beat and beat-! Chapter 6 Beast from Air 5. We ve seen the beast with our own eyes. No-we weren t asleep-. 6. Conch! Conch! We don t need the conch any more. Chapter 7 Shadows and Tall Trees 7. I just think you ll get back all right. 8. The circle moved in and round. squealed in mock terror, then in real pain. 9. Presently the mountain was deserted, save for the three abandoned sticks and the thing that bowed. (what is being described?) Chapter 8 Gift for the Darkness 10. Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! Chapter 9 A View to Death 1. Take them some meat. 2. The fire-rescue. 3. The beast was on its knees in the center, its arms folded over its face. It was crying out against the abominable noise something about a body on the hill. Chapter 10 The Shell and the Glasses 4. That was Simon! That was murder! 5. It was an accident. Chapter 11 Castle Rock 6. I got the conch! 7. That s not the way!" advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority.

5 Chapter 12 Cry of the Hunters 8. You got to for your own good. They hate you Ralph. They re going to do you. Roger sharpened a stick at both ends. 9. Nobody killed, I hope. Any dead bodies? 10. A little boy who wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair and who carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still. Symbolism: Match each of the symbols with what they represent. 1. Piggy s specs A. Superego 2. The conch B. Garden of Eden 3. Simon C. Lost inhibitions 4. Ralph D. The evil within us 5. Jack E. Illness on the island 6. Piggy F. Blind obedience 7. Roger G. Mob mentality 8. The island H. Beelzebub 9. The beast I. Order, rules, authority 10. The Lord of the Flies J. Intelligence and technology 11. Face paint K. Absolute Goodness 12. The fire L. Id 13. The chanting and ritual M. Rescue and comfort/security 14. The scar N. Ego 15. The Naval Officer O. Loss of Innocence