Lord of the Flies
Chapter One - "The Sound of the Shell"
| 1. | How does Ralph act when he learns Piggy's nickname? |
| 2. | What do we learn of Ralph's home background? |
| 3. | What do we learn of Piggy's home background? |
| 4. | Who first speaks of being rescued? |
| 5. | Explain the title of this chapter, "The Sound of the Shell." |
| 6. | When do the other boys begin to appear? |
| 7. | Who are these boys? What do they have in common? |
| 8. | Jack asks, "Where's the man with the trumpet?" What is he assuming? |
| 9. | Which of the boys faints? |
| 10. | How is the leader chosen and who is he? |
| 11. | What duty is given to the choir? |
| 12. | Three boys go to explore whether they are on an island or not. Who are they? |
| 13. | What is the "mood" of these three explorers? Give evidence to support your answer |
Chapter Two - "Fire on the Mountain"
| 1. | How do the boys start the fire? |
| 2. | What does the little boy with the birthmark ask about? What happens to him? |
| 3. | Whose idea is it to build the huts? |
Chapter Three - "Huts On the Beach"
| 1. | In this chapter, Ralph is busy with one job and Jack busy with another. Tell what each is doing |
| 2. | What does Simon do at the end of Chapter 3? |
| 3. | The four major characters seem to represent four types of people and their roles in society. What do you think each of these "represents?" How does each boy approach the jungle? Justify your answer |
| Ralph | |
| Jack | |
| Piggy | |
| Simon | |
| 4. | So far several "symbols" have had roles in the story. In addition to their literal use, what do the following stand for. |
| the conch shell | |
| the fire | |
| Piggy's glasses | |
| Jack's knife |
Chapter Four - "Painted Faces and Long Hair"
| 1. | The chapter begins with a description of the peculiar games the sun plays on the boys' eyes. What is the tone of this scene and what questions does it pose in your mind? |
| 2. | In the beginning of the chapter, the boys miss a possible opportunity to be rescued. What happens and how do they miss being rescued? |
| 3. | What is the tone set when the hunters return from the hunt? What is Ralph's reaction to Jack in this scene? |
| 4. | What is Piggy's reaction and the result of it? |
| 5. | At the great feast Jack refuses to share any meat with Piggy. What is Simon's reaction to this? |
| 6. | What is Maurice's role in the reenactment of the hunt? What does it symbolize? |
| 7. | What does the title "Painted Faces and Long Hair" symbolize? |
| 8. | What is happening to "id" and "superego" in this chapter? |
Remember; tone is the writer's attitude toward his or her readers and subject. It may be formal or informal, friendly or distant, personal or pompous. |
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Chapter Five - "Beast from Water"
| 1. | List the issues that Ralph lectures the boys about in the beginning this chapter? |
| 2. | Discuss the significance of the fear the boys have, particularly the littluns. What is Ralph's main concern / reason for trying to ease the boys fear and desire to have them become unified? |
| 3. | What is Jack's reaction to Ralph's attempt, and in turn, the outcome of it? |
| 4. | When Piggy advises Ralph to blow the conch and call the boys back, Ralph does not. What is the reasoning behind his reluctance? |
| 5. | What symbolic representation of battle for power takes place between Jack and Piggy during the assembly? Symbol for power and order? |
| 6. | The littluns report hearing and seeing hideous creatures in the jungle. How do the following characters cope with the problem? Who is most accurate? |
| Jack | |
| Piggy | |
| Simon | |
| 7. | Describe the growth that occurs in Jack from the time of his arrival until chapter. What realizations does he come to about himself and the current situation? |
| 8. | What is the only sound heard in the darkness at the end of the chapter? Discuss its significance. |
Chapter Six - "Beast from Air"
| 1. | Describe "the beast that attacks" Sam and Eric while they are supposed to be watching the signal fire |
| 2. | What does this "beast" represent? |
| 3. | What is Jack's reaction to the claim of the twins? How does he react to the crisis situation? How does this differ from Ralph's reaction? |
| 4. | Tell how Jack and Ralph each perceive Castle Rock. How is this representative of each character? |
| 5. | Describe the feeling present between Jack and Ralph when they are exploring the rocks and the cliff on the night the beast comes. Does it last? |
| 6. | Discuss Simon's ideas about the beast. |
| 7. | What sense do you get from the boys' reactions to Ralph when he orders them to stop playing around the new fortress and help him start up the fire? |
Chapter Seven - "Shadows and Tall Trees"
| 1. | While the boys stop to eat, while hiking along the shore, Ralph stands by himself and stares at the sea. What does Ralph see? (in his mind) What does Simon assure Ralph of in this scene? |
| 2. | With Jack's suggestion, the boys go on a hunt for another pig. What happens when Ralph wounds the pig? |
| 3. | When the ritualistic dance of the hunters, now joined by Ralph comes to an end, what does Jack suggest? Is he serious? |
| 4. | What question does Ralph ask Jack and get no reply? What does this symbolize? |
| 5. | Who volunteers to bring Piggy the message that the boys will not return home until the next day? |
| 6. | What does the author mean when he refers to the "devils of dust" blinding the boys eyes as they approach the parachutist? Why do they run from the dead chutist? |
Chapter Eight - "Gift for the Darkness."
| 1. | Why do the boys refuse to vote for Jack as chief yet slip off to join him later? |
| 2. | What does Jack tell his new tribe? |
| 3. | Why is the killing of the sow discussed in such detail? |
| 4. | What does the Lord of the Flies tell Simon? |
Chapter Nine - "A View to a Death"
| 1. | What reason does Ralph give for the boys' defection to Jack? |
| 2. | What kind of leader is Jack? |
| 3. | How does Jack propose to rule without the conch? |
| 4. | Why do Ralph and Piggy join the dance? |
| 5. | Why is Simon's dead body carried out to sea in terms of glorification? |
Chapter Ten - "The Shell and the Glasses"
| 1. | What is the significance of the title "The Shell and the Glasses?" |
| 2. | Why do Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric lie about their part in the death, or use the darkness as an excuse? |
| 3. | How is Wilfred punished? |
| 4. | How does Jack account for the death of Simon? |
Chapter Eleven - "Castle Rock"
| 1. | Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to visit Jack's camp? |
| 2. | What is the reaction of Jack's tribe to Ralph's talk of rescue? |
| 3. | What happens when Piggy holds up the conch and tries to talk? What does this symbolize? |
| 4. | Why does Roger shove his way past Jack, only just managing not to edge him aside? |
Chapter Twelve - "Cry of the Hunters"
| 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? |
| 3. | Does Ralph understand why he must be killed? |
| 4. | What is the irony of Samneric's behavior? |
| 5. | How does the author describe Ralph's flight across the island? |
| 6. | What is the irony of the fire? |
| 7. | Why is Percival unable to remember his name and address? |
| 8. | Why is Piggy's fall emphasized? |
| 9. | Why does Ralph say that he is in charge on the island? |
| 10. | What comparison is implied at the end of the novel? |