CHAPTER 1: The Sound of the Shell 1. What is the scar literally and symbolically? The scar literally is the area where the plane crashed and created a trench through the area. Symbolically, it might represent: man s destructive nature loss of purity or innocence brutality of war 2. From their conversation, what do we predict might be their conflict? No adults survived the plane crash not even the pilot. The boys need to survive on their own and figure out how to get rescued. 3. How does Ralph react to the name Piggy? What is Ralph s reaction to Piggy, in general? Ralph laughs and wants to mock Piggy for his nickname. Ralph seems to find Piggy annoying and a nuisance. 4. What is significant about the conch? The conch is a shell that becomes a tool to call the boys together. It initially unites them. It is also the means to maintaining order and control at their meetings. 5. Describe the creature. What might this metaphor foreshadow? (page 19)The creature is a group of choir boys moving in unison down the beach. From a distance, they look like one entity. As they get closer, Ralph can see the individuals in the march. They might remind the reader of an army or a mob. This foreshadows a loss of individuality or identity replaced by a herd or mob mentality (the idea that people in a group lose self-awareness and are less likely to follow restraints and inhibitions. They may be more likely to lose a sense of individual identity which might lead to behaviors that a person would be unlikely to engage in if alone). 1 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
6. Describe Jack. Why does he think he can be chief? Jack is the head choir boy for the group mentioned in question 5. He appears threatening and powerful. He believes he should be chief because he is already in charge of the choir boys. 7. Why do you think Ralph was chosen as leader? Ralph is the one who suggested the boys all vote. This gave the group a voice, and in turn, they chose Ralph. He also called the assembly and this asserted his leadership from the beginning. In his argument, Ralph claimed his father was in the Navy, and the boys are depending on a ship rescuing them from the island. 8. What are the pros and cons in letting Jack have control of the choir? PROS: Giving Jack responsibility lets him know he is a leader and may empower him for the greater good instead of fighting Ralph for control. CONS: Giving him control of the choir is like handing him his own army. Jack has control of a strong majority of boys, and they could turn against Ralph. 9. What is significant about Jack, Ralph, and Simon going on an exploration? This exploration shows teamwork and shared leadership (p.29). They have a single goal. Shows unity. 10. What is the significance of the discovery of the piglets? How does the last paragraph give a possible foreshadowing of Jack later in the story? Jack shows mercy, but he feels shame that he wasn t able to make the kill. It foreshadows that next time he will kill. CHAPTER 2: Fire on the Mountain 1. What rules are decided at the assembly? Only the person holding the conch is allowed to speak Must keep a fire going at all times (fire is the means to rescue and knowledge is their key to survival). 2. How is Jack s reaction to rules different from Ralph s? Jack seems more interesting in punishing rule breakers than maintaining order. 2 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
3. What evidence is there that man is by nature superstitious? Does Ralph successfully handle this problem? Explain The boys believe there is a real beast, but Ralph simply denies it. This does nothing to stop their fear. It is only after Jack says he will kill the beast that the boys feel a little better. 4. What is the significance of the boys plan for rescue? Fire is the symbol for knowledge/enlightenment, but it is also dangerous and destructive. 5. Ralph shows he has some ability as a leader in this chapter. How does he demonstrate this point? Ralph maintains order by using the conch and he has a plan for rescue. His method is close to a democratic style since he has the boys vote. 6. What is the implication of Ralph s statement, We want to have fun. And we want to be rescued.? This shows Ralph understands of the boys need to have fun (they are just kids, after all), while upholding the goal of rescue. 7. Are there any examples of Ralph s inability to control the boys? The conch seems to work only when it is held by someone the boys respect (i.e. not Piggy). The meetings are less orderly Ralph has trouble alleviating the boys fear of the beast 8. How does Jack show his cleverness? He alleviates the boys fear by telling them he will hunt and kill the beast. The boys feel safer. He also uses Piggy s glasses to light the fire (start thinking about how this might be symbolic). 9. What do you learn about Piggy from his behavior in this chapter? Piggy is not very respected by the group (bullied and teased), but he is smart. 3 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
10. Why doesn t the conch have the same effect it did before? Losing its power the longer the boys are on the island without an authority figure. It only works when a respected person holding it. CHAPTER 3: Huts on the Beach 1. How is Jack s second hunt different from the first? (see page 48-49) Jack is more animal-like and savage. This time he throws the spear without hesitation. He swung back his right arm and hurled the spear with all his strength (49). 2. Who helps Ralph build the huts? What problems have the littluns caused? What do these events foreshadow? Simon helps because everyone else runs off to have fun. They re off bathing, or eating, or playing (50). These events and the tension they are causing may foreshadow the boys breaking apart not working together for the common good. 3. What do you learn about Simon in this chapter? He is not afraid of a beastie and he feels very comfortable on his own in the forest. He seems to be the only one who knows the beastie isn t out there. 4. In what way is the relationship between Jack and Ralph tense? Jack wants to hunt and Ralph s priority is to get rescued (must keep the fire going). Both have power and influence, but different goals. 5. Why is painting faces important to Jack? Literally: Jack thinks it makes him more like a hunter. Symbolically: The mask disguises Jack s identity and he is able to do things he might not normally do (think back to mob mentality). 4 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
CHAPTER 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair 1. What strange things happen in the midday sun? Why do you think Golding choose to include this? The boys see mirages. After a while, they just ignore them. Eventually, they miss seeing a passing ship. The mood is menacing, but the boys do not notice this either. 2. Why does Roger stop short of hitting Henry with the stones? Why do you think Golding writes this scene? Roger has been conditioned by rules NOT to hit. While Roger is throwing the stones at Henry, Henry is exerting power over the smaller creatures. 3. In what ways do the hunters prepare themselves for another hunt? What might this reveal? Maurice pretends to be a pig and runs into the center as the boys form a ring around him. Maurice squeals like a pig, and the hunters begin a chant: Kill the pig, cut her throat, bash her in. This reveals the mob mentality of the boys and their increasing savagery. 4. What is Ralph s reaction to Piggy in this chapter? How do the others react? Ralph pushes Piggy aside and Jack attacks him. Ralph is capable of falling under that same mob mentality if he isn t careful. This scene not only reveals that Piggy is not respected by the others, but that Ralph is capable of violence, too. 5. Why doesn t the ship rescue the boys? The hunters neglected the fire and it went out. The ship could not see their smoke signal. 6. Describe the hunters return from the hunt. How do the hunters react to Ralph s tongue lashing? The hunters return chanting. They are ecstatic to have killed a pit. When they realize Ralph is angry with them for neglecting the fire, it becomes quiet. Then Jack and Ralph have a faceoff (71). The hunters admire their Jack for sticking up for 5 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
them and standing up to Ralph who is sounding more like a parent. 7. Describe the encounter between Jack and Piggy. What is the symbolic significance of the broken glass? How does Jack save face in this incident? How has Ralph lost leadership? How does Ralph try to combat his feelings? Jack smacked Piggy s head and his glasses broke. The symbolic significance is a break from reason or a collapse of rational thought. Jack saves face by apologizing. This wins him back the admiration of the others. Ralph is still resentful, and calls for a meeting by blowing the conch. 8. Describe the feast. Why does Jack refuse to give Piggy some meat? Who does give Piggy some meat? Jack refuses to give Piggy any meat because he didn t hunt (remember, neither did Simon or Ralph who are eating). Simon offers Piggy some of his meat. CHAPTER 5: Beast from Water 1. Describe the tension between the boys and Ralph. What are the reasons Ralph criticizes them? (79-80). Ralph is all business no more fun and games. Ralph and the rest of the boys are at odds over their objective. Ralph still sees their primary goal to be rescue and survival (shelters are unstable and the conditions are unsanitary). The boys want to hunt and have fun. 2. What are the various reactions of the boys to the beast? The littluns are having nightmares. Jack calls them babies, and Ralph wants to talk about it. This shows the difference between their leadership. 3. What brings Ralph into closer sympathy with Piggy? Ralph recognizes Piggy s ability to think and reason (78,84). Piggy supports Ralph with logical reasoning. 6 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
4. What is Simon s theory about the beast? How do the boys accept it? Do you? maybe it s only us (89) but the others laugh and dismiss him Remember Piggy refers to their fear with logic that there is nothing to fear unless we get frightened of people (84). 5. What evidence is there that order has broken down and chaos has erupted? What does this cause Ralph to almost do? How is he convinced against this? There is no longer control or order at the meeting The conch has little power in maintaining order or respect Rules are not upheld Jack challenges Ralph (91) Ralph almost gives up his leadership to Jack until he realizes Piggy could get hurt CHAPTER 6: Beast from Air 1. What is the sign that comes down from the world of grownups? How is this symbolic? What is ironically sad about this? Sign from the grownup world: dead parachutist/fighter pilot Symbolizes that the sign of rescue they were looking for is doomed. Universally, it is a symbol of man s fall from civilization as the war and violence beyond the island comes into close contact with the boys. The religious connotation is suggestive of the first fallen angel, Lucifer/Satan, the incarnation of evil (think of Samneric s description of the wing-like creature). Evil has now landed on the island, and the beast is real. Ironically sad: This chapter is not seen through the point of view of the boys, and you might ask why? It creates dramatic irony because the reader knows it is a dead pilot, but the boys 7 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
react hysterically. Their view of the beast is irrational and distorted. This shows the reader how fear and superstition influences perception and behavior. 2. Why are Sam and Eric frightened when they go to build the fire? How do they exaggerate what they saw? They believe they have encountered the beast (98). full claws horrible beast followed us slinking behind the trees nearly touched me (100). 3. How does Jack benefit from the beast? Jack uses their fear to manipulate them. He can now hunt the beast and become the leader of the boys. 4. What happens to the significance of the conch? Why is this important? Jack says it is no longer needed and everyone is frightened. This is symbolic of their final break from reason. Their terror leads them to warp and misrepresent what they see and understand. 5. Describe the confrontation that takes place between Jack and Ralph? What might this foreshadow? Ralph reminds Jack that their main objective is rescue. He uses logic about how they cannot track the beast on land. This indicates that Ralph still has rational thought amid the chaos and fear. 6. Why does Ralph agree to search the island? He needs to exert his leadership and assert his selfconfidence to the rest of the group. 7. How does the tension between Ralph and Jack build in this chapter? Parallels the first search of the island in chapter 1: They argue about who should climb the rock to find the beast and whether to continue on in their search. 8 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
CHAPTER 7: Shadows and Tall Trees 1) How does Golding characterize Simon as a mystical person? What is his purpose in the story? Simon says, You ll get back he doesn t say we. Ralph reacts by calling him batty or cray-cray. 2) What game do the boys then play? What might this game foreshadow? This is the second time they play this game (remember Maurice in chapter 4?). Robert pretends to be a pig in the circle with the boys/hunters surrounding him. They jab at him and he gets hurt. This increased violence foreshadows them hunting an actual person. 3) The tension between Ralph and Jack further is developed in this chapter. With what questions does Ralph confront Jack? What is Jack s reply? Jack challenges Ralph s fear of the beast on the mountain. Ralph responds by naming the game between the two when he says, Why do you hate me? Jack does not reply, and the tension mounts. 4) What evidence is given that Ralph has further weakened? Jack is excited to hunt. Roger seems impervious or unaffected. But, Ralph is truly afraid. 5) Describe the hunt. Jack taunts Ralph, and they creep forward until they see the beast. As it moves in the wind, the boys take off running. CHAPTER 8: Gift for the Darkness 1) How is the hunt in this chapter different from the previous ones? It shows a further descent into mob mentality. The scene (135) is evocative and suggestive almost like a gang rape scene. Golding uses language to suggest rape: "and the hunters followed, wedded to her in lust, excited by the long chase and the dropped blood.", "the sow fell and the hunters hurled themselves on her.", and "Jack was on top of the sow, stabbing downward with his knife. Roger found a lodgment for 9 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
his point and began to push till he was leaning with his whole weight." It is graphic and violent, revealing their lustful desire to kill. The boys are no longer innocent, they have become bloodthirsty savages. Without the trappings of civilization, the boys become animals capable of inhuman and barbaric acts. Jack wore it like his old clothes comfortable and primitive sacrificing some of their kill to the beast primitive cultures tended to give sacrificial offerings. They refer to it as a gift for the beast (137) 2) What is the Lord of the Flies literally and symbolically? Literally: it is the sow s head impaled on a stick in the ground and offered to the beast as a sacrifice. Symbolically: The sow s head is a physical manifestation of evil itself or the power of evil that lies within all of us. Biblically, it is the devil himself. He is mentioned in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Lord of the Flies translates to the biblical name Beelzebub (God of Fly or demonic fly). It is said that this demon had control over disease. Beelzebub is a tyrant who causes destruction, instigates demons worship among men, excites priests to lust, encourages jealousy and murder, and incites war (Consider where in the novel each of these sins appear). In literature, Beelzebub has been called the Prince of False Gods where the tyrant sat high on his throne with his minions whirring around him (think of the sow s head with all the flies buzzing around it). 10 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
3) What, briefly, is the purpose of the imaginary conversation that takes place between Simon and the Lord of the Flies? This scene is another Biblical allusion. Simon, much like Jesus, is compassionate and peaceful. He takes care of the littluns much like Jesus cared for children. Both die as martyrs for a cause (Simon is running to tell the boys that the beast is a dead corpse). Simon recognizes that the evil is not in the forest (hence, his harmony with nature). The other boys see him as strange or batty. When Simon confronts the Lord of the Flies, it alludes to Jesus s conversation with Satan during his forty days in the wilderness (New Testament). So, what does Golding want the reader to understand? In his story, Simon does not appeal to God or good. Instead, he simply says the beast doesn t exist it is nothing more than a dead head on a stick. What do you think are Golding s views on religion? Rationalism? War? Man s true nature? CHAPTER 9: A View to a Death 1) Where does Simon go after he leaves the Lord of the Flies? To tell the boys the truth he has discovered that there is no beast just a dead head on a stick. He dies before revealing the truth about the beast. This leads to a deeper understanding of themselves, thus making Simon a martyr. 2) What tragic mistake is made in the frenzy and excitement of the hunt? While the boys are emulating a hunt through a primitive dance, they kill Simon in a lustful flurry of excitement and confusion. Simon ran to the boys from the jungle to tell them that the beast was not real. 11 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
3) How does Simon reveal the moral of the story? Simon is a martyr and sacrifice to the truth about where evil resides. He becomes a Christ-like figure through his death. He becomes the key to the boys salvation because he is the only one to confront the beast and discover that the real evil is within us. Simon represents man s capacity for goodness. CHAPTER 10: The Shell and the Glasses 1) In what way does Piggy show superiority to Ralph? Ralph now turns to Piggy to ask what they should do (156). Piggy is the logical one, and he says they should light the fire in them morning (164). Piggy does not give in to the hysteria, but instead remains logical. 2) How does Jack handle those who disobey his rules? How has the society of the island changed with his leadership? Jack beats those who are disobedient (i.e. Wilfred). He is a dictator who rules with fear and tyranny. 3) How does Jack explain Simon s death to his followers? Do they believe him? Jack explains that Simon was really the beast who came disguised and crawling. It doesn t appear that the boys believe him by the way Stanley tries to question it and the other boys look down (as if ashamed). 4) How does Jack propose to get fire? What does this say about their civilization? Jack proposes they take the fire from the others (he takes what he wants). His tribe is unrestrained with no regard for peace or order. 5) Describe the scene where he employs his strategy. How do the tension between Jack and Ralph reflect on society and the human experience in general? The hunters attack them at night to steal Piggy s glasses (remember: they could have asked to use them to start a fire. There is no sharing of resources ). Consider this action of taking what you want simply because you have the power to do so. 12 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
CHAPTER 11: Castle Rock 1) Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to visit Jack? What do they hope to accomplish? What evidence indicates their naiveté? They need to retrieve Piggy s glasses so he can see once again and they want to get the signal fire going again. They think that Jack must give the glasses back (shows how naïve they still are). They refer to his tribe as games and playing at hunting. They are not aware of the danger yet. 2) Why does Piggy feel that he has the right to be heard? He is holding the conch. He still believes the rules have to be followed. 3) Connect Piggy to the scene of the slaughtered pigs. (135 + 181). This is a vicious and unprovoked attack to do harm. Diction is similar to earlier scene (i.e. grunt, arms and legs twitched). 4) What is Jack s reaction to Piggy s death? What is Ralph s reaction? How do the differing emotions reflect on the human experience? Roger and Jack destroy Piggy, and symbolically, they destroy all reasoning. Jack is screaming wildly and running violently toward Ralph. Ralph runs away in panic. Jack reflects the loss of reasoning and Ralph feels terror as he begins to understand this is not a game at all. 5) What does the loss of Piggy and his glasses symbolize in the story? Loss of reason and logic---loss of all hope for civilization or a break from the civilized world. CHAPTER 12: Cry of the Hunters 1) How successful are Ralph s attempts to rationalize what has happened? Ralph tries to tell himself that it is an accident (184), but the reader knows he does not believe it by the way he shakes in terror. 13 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11
2) Where does Ralph get his weapon? Does this seem symbolic? Ralph destroys the Lord of the Flies (185) by taking the stick from the ground/pig s head. He uses this sharpened stick as a weapon. Symbolically, the stick becomes the weapon used to smash the pig s head/evil. It turns on itself to smash the devil within. 3) Is Ralph s frantic flight and rescue a probable ending? Explain why it does or does not matter. Yes, it is a probable ending: their goal all along was to keep the fire going in order to be rescued. It is the fire on the island that is seen by the Navy ship at the end when the boys are rescued. No, it is not probable that the boys are rescued just before they catch and kill Ralph. It does not matter, though. It is an allegory about good and evil and by the end, Ralph has lost his innocence. 4) How do the savages act in the presence of the officer? How does the officer react upon seeing them? Why is this ironic? The savages stare dumbly as if they had forgotten what civilization looked like (and perhaps they did). Ralph speaks to the officer and weeps for his loss of innocence. Why is Ralph the only one to speak? Perhaps because he is still connected to what it means to be civilized. The irony at the end occurs when the officer does not recognize the true warfare going on and calls it fun and games. In the same way, the officer does not recognize the war going on in the world as a destructive and brutal act (not an act of valor as many propagandists would spin). 14 EJG 3/2016 revised English 11