Literature | High school » The Lord of the Flies Study Questions

The Lord of the Flies Study Questions Answer all questions in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper. These questions will be checked twice: for doing them as you read, then for quality. You will hand these in at the end, when they will be checked for accuracy and completeness, so fill in info from discussions in class. Chapter 1 1. How does Ralph initially feel about Piggy? 2. How do the boys seem to think they arrived on the island? 3. What image does Golding use when Ralph first teases Piggy? 4. How is the first appearance of the choir described? What are the metaphors used? 5. When Jack reveals Piggy’s name to the rest of the boys, what effect does it have on the group (besides making them laugh)? Why do you think Ralph tells? 6. Why do you think Piggy hesitates before voting for Ralph? 7. What do you think of Ralph’s choice of Simon to join the exploration of the island? 8. How do the boys feel about the island once they reach its summit and have toppled the rock? 9.

What is Jack’s explanation of why he did not kill the pig? What is Golding’s explanation? Chapter 2 1. What are the rules for the conch? What does it symbolize? 2. Who first mentions the beast? How do Jack and Ralph respond differently? 3. Why is Ralph annoyed by Jack’s promise to hunt the beast? 4. What does it say about the group that they just rush off to make a fire? What successes and what difficulties do they have making one? 5. What is your assessment of Ralph as a leader now? Has it changed? Why? 6. Describe briefly the following characters, and explore what they might symbolically represent: Ralph, Piggy, Simon, Jack, Roger, Sam & Eric. Chapter 3 1. How is Jack described as Ch 3 opens? What does this description imply (what is Golding’s saying Jack’s character is, and how might this be symbolic)? 2. What does the argument between Jack and Ralph show about what each of them hopes for and fears? How does this relate to the description of them ‘baffled, in love

and hate”? 3. How do both Jack and Ralph view Simon? 4. Look at the description of Simon on the last two pages of this chapter. What is seems significant about the description? 5. This chapter has a ‘sandwich’ structure: it opens with a description of a boy alone in the silent forest, moves to the beach and consists of dialogue, then ends with a description of a boy alone in the silent forest. Look at these descriptions. They are ‘foils,’ a literary term used to show contrasts of characters Read each closely, and note words, images, and events in common. Then, analyze how they are different Why did Golding contrast these two boys? Explain, keeping in mind Golding’s affinity for symbolism and allegory Chapters 4 and 5 1. What is the significance of the episode when Roger throws stones at Henry? 2. How is the hunting party portrayed? (For extra credit, what do you think the red hair represents?) 3. Look at pg 70 What makes Jack happy? What does this tell us about his

mental state? 4. How does Ralph assert his power? 5. How does Ralph feel about savagery at the beginning of Ch 5? 6. What does Ralph acknowledge about both Piggy and himself? Where does Piggy to on to express, in dialogue, his beliefs? 7. How is chaos seen in this chapter? 8. From page 89 to the end of the chapter, try to identify Golding’s philosophy How does he use character and dialogue to explore this philosophy? 9. Be propheticwhat do you think may happen next? (Support with events or details) Chapter 6 1. Chapter 5 ends with the boys asking for a sign from the world of grown-ups What sign does the world of grownups send and what does it mean? 2. Why doesn’t Simon believe in the beast? 3. What do the boys find at the end of the chapter? How do Ralph and Jack feel differently about it? 4. Why is the chapter called “Beast from Air”? Chapter 7 1. What does Simon’s and Ralph’s conversation at the beginning of this chapter reveal about Simon’s role in the book? 2. Ralph

goes hunting in this chapter What do his actions and words reveal about him, and does his behavior surprise you? Why or why not? Why do you think Golding waited until over halfway through the book for Ralph to have his first hunt? 3. Ralph asks Jack, “Why do you hate me?” (118) Do you think Jack hates Ralph? Why? 4. Describe how Ralph and Jack’s relationship is evolving How do their hopes and fears differ? 5. Describe how this chapter explores power and primitive instincts (as it relates to the beast and bloodlust of the hunt). 6. What does Ralph get ‘caught up’ in? 7. What did Ralph do in Ch 6 that is similar to what Jack does in Ch 7? How does it differ? 8. By the end of Ch 7, what is the presence of the beast? Chapter 8 Highlight and note references to the storm that starts this chapter. 1. Compare the meeting that Jack calls with the one Ralph calls in Ch 5? How are the meetings the same, and different? (Note that both are called in haste because of something that happens

on the mountain, both contain a list of 3 things that need to be discussed, both end with boys running off.) 2. Look at the words that Jack uses when he quits Ralph’s gang (127) What does his diction (word choice) show about how he thinks about things? How do Ralph and Piggy see things differently? 3. How has Piggy’s role changed since Jack left? Why? 4. Look closely at the description of the killing of the sow and her piglets What do you notice? What stands out? 5. Both Piggy and Jack arrange feasts in this chapter How are the different and the same? (Piggy’s is mentioned on p. 132, Jack’s on pg 140) 6. Simon has a ‘discussion’ with the pig’s head What are the two or three most important things the head tells him? Chapter 9 and 10 1. Simon thought, “The beast was harmless and horrible; and the news must reach the others as soon as possible” What happens to Simon when he tries to take this news to the others? 2. What happens to the parachute man? 3. What does

Ralph tell Piggy about his behavior the night of the storm? Why is he tormented? 4. When the boys refer to their ‘dance’ what are they talking about? (Extra credit: what is the linguistic term for what they are doing here?) 5. “I expect the beast disguised itself” “Perhaps,” said the chief A theological speculation presented itself Why do the beast and its mention have a theological theme? 6. Summarize the conditions of each group and what things they have Chapter 11 1. Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to visit Jack’s camp? 2. What is the specific reaction of Jack’s tribe to Ralph’s talk of rescue? 3. What happens when Piggy holds up the conch to talk? 4. Why does Roger shove his way past Jack, only just managing not to edge him aside? Chapter 12 1. How does Ralph learn of Jack’s plans for him? 2. What does Ralph say to the twins when they refuse to help him? Why is their behavior ironic? 3. Does Ralph understand why he must be killed? Explain 4. How does the author

describe Ralph’s flight across the island? 5. What is the irony of the fire? 6. Why is Percival unable to remember his name and address? 7. Why is Piggy’s fall emphasized? (think of Biblical allusions) 8. Why does Ralph say that he is in charge on the island, and why does nobody refute that fact? 9. What comparison is implied at the end of the novel? (Look at “loss of innocence” line and also think about where these boys will be going)