Lord of the Flies
Chapter 1
1. How is Ralph described?
2. How is Jack described? Consider how this can be
symbolic.
3. How is Piggy described?
4. How do they contrast?
5. What role does the conch play?
6. How is Simon introduced?
7. Why is Jack reluctant to kill the pig – the deeper
reason?
8. *What is the effect of the dash, as used in specific
instances in this chapter? (Cite at least one ex.)
1. Why does Jack want an army – again, the deeply rooted
reason?
2. Is there any indication that he is thinking of taking
over leadership?
3. Who said, “My father’s in the Navy” (37)? How is that
significant?
4. Who said, “After all, we’re not savages. We’re English…” (42)?
5. What adventure books are mentioned? How do they
compare with the boy’s situation?
6. As the chapter ends, what feelings do you have, and
how does Golding lead you there.
7. Cacophonous word choice is harsh sounding; cite one
example of cacophonous diction used by Jack.
Cite it.
1. Was Jack interested in hunting just in order to supply
meat?
2. Why did he hunt?
3. What is the significance of the argument between Ralph
and Jack over the building of the huts?
4. Define the word gesticulated
in the context used on page 50. (“He gesticulated, sought for a word.”)
5. What could the dash represent in Jack’s explanation of
his feeling while hunting in the forest? (53)
6. Does Jack believe in the snake thing?
7. “…baffled, in love and hate” is an example of what
device (55)?
1. What is significant about Roger’s throwing stones at
Henry? Think Freudian.
2. Why did the hunters paint their faces? Again, consider psychology.
3. Do people today? Explain with ex.
4. What happens when the fire goes out?
5. Is there a change in authority?
6. Is there a shift in feeling towards Jack and
Ralph? Explain.
1. What does Ralph discover at the beginning of this
chapter (about life)?
2. What do the boys have to say about the fear?
1. What is the beast from the air? Be specific.
2. How did the beast from the air get there?
3. What effect does it have on Ralph?
4. What effect does it have on Jack?
5. What effect does it have on the others?
1. What does Simon say to Ralph?
2. What do we learn about Simon?
3. What does Ralph say to Jack that is a little
surprising?
4. What is your feeling during the mock hunt? What
is the mock hunt?
1. What does Simon mean by, “What else is there to do?”
2. What did Simon discover in the forest?
3. Who is the Lord of the Flies? Describe him.
4. Does the imagery surrounding Simon make him a symbolic
figure? Of what?
1. This chapter picks up where the last left off.
Why?
2. What are your feelings toward Simon? He is a
mystic. What does that mean?
3. What happens to him? Explain the scene.
4. Who is responsible for his death? How do you know?
5. What is the significance of the chapter ending?
Explain.
1. Did things return to normal after Simon’s death?
Explain.
2. What do you think will happen to Piggy? Why?
3. Are his attempts at being reasonable ridiculous?
Explain.
1. What happens to Piggy? Did you think it would happen? How did you know? Describe the scene.
2. What is significant about the description of his
death? Explain.
1. What do you think is going to happen to Ralph? Explain why you think so.
2. What dual role has the fire played throughout the
book, even to the very end? Explain your answer.
3. What is meant by Ralph’s final thoughts?
4. Describe the chase between Jack and Ralph.
5. What happens at the end of the book?
6. Explain the significance of the last line.