Lord of the Flies Study Guide

Honors English 9 Lord of the Flies – Study Guide Please write answers in complete sentences. Choose four of the journal entries to respond to.

Chapter 1 – Sound of the Shell Introduction - The first chapter is set up with great care and caution. Watch closely, because the author wants you to think things that just aren't so.

1. What is "the scar"? Why does Golding choose that word? 2. How did all the kids get there? Did all the kids make it to the island? 3. How is Ralph unfriendly to Piggy? Why? 4. Where is the darkness on the island? What is darkness a metaphor for? 5. What does Piggy want to do with the boys? Is Ralph interested? Why or why not? 6. What does Ralph think is going to happen? 7. What does Ralph imitate as he calls "Piggy" Why is that important? 8. Is Ralph an innocent person? Explain. 9. How does Piggy upset Ralph 10. What does light stand for? What about darkness? 11. How does Johnny sit below Ralph? What does the little boy expect? Why does he choose Ralph? 12. How are the kids acting now? What were they doing in the forest? 13. How do you know that Merridew (Jack) is up to no good? 14. What makes Ralph attractive as a leader? Is this a good quality? 15. At this moment, would Jack make a good leader? What would be good qualities in a leader? Explain. 16. Why do they make one leader and not a council of three? How could that be a problem later? 17. Ralph has the Conch, what does Jack have? How is that effective? 18. What does the Conch symbolize? What does the knife symbolize? 19. What excites them on the expedition? What do they do on the way to the top? What about this expedition makes it less than innocent kid stuff? 20. Why doesn't Jack kill the pig? Why is this incident so ominous? What is the main emotion Jack feels? * Journal Writing: Respond to the following question with a journal entry (minimum of 20 lines) Have you ever been really embarrassed in front of people. What did you do next?

Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain Introduction - Ralph starts to organize things and the world looks good. The name "Ralph", by the way, means "consent" or "agreement." But there is fire....

( Study guide questions from: http://www.barrsenglishclass.com/flies.htm) 1. What do they all run off to do? What does Ralph want the kids to think about? What does Jack want the kids to think about? 2. How do the kids work? What is their general manner if given a task? Why doesn't Piggy like it? 3. What part of the wood gathering has been done successfully? What went into it? 4. How do they light the fire? What do the little ones see in it? Why is that important? Who comes up with the idea of using the glasses? 5. Why is Jack important to the group? How is Piggy a little useless? How does Piggy feel? As a result, how does he act? 6. What is personification? What is personified on page 44? Give specific examples. 7. What sensible things does Piggy say? Why don't Ralph and Jack like him? 8. Complete the quote: "How can you expect to be rescued____proper?" Explain. 9. Who is missing? Where is he? 10. What does Golding mean by the drum roll? * Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) Which should the boys have done first? Shelters or the fire? Explain your answer. What would you have done?

Chapter 3: Huts on the Beach Introduction - Jack ("one who supplants or takes over by force") begins to have even more of an effect in this section. Simon (Hebrew for "listener") also becomes important here. See how they approach the jungle differently.

1. What is Jack doing? How long have they been on the island? What is he being compared to? 2. What is the Jungle like? What is the most oppressive part of the jungle? Since Jack is starting to become comfortable in the jungle, what does that show? 3. What are Jack and Simon trying to do? Why aren't they successful? What are the littl'uns doing? Psychologically, why are the shelters important? 4. How are Ralph and Jack similar? How does Ralph annoy Jack? Why do they want meat? 5. What are the littl'uns afraid of? What is Ralph's solution? What is Jack's? The Beastie (and snakes) have become unmentionable. Why is naming things important? 6. Where does Simon go? What role is he starting to take on in the story? Why is it important that he slips away from the ground? How does Golding use light in this section? How is the jungle for Simon different than the Jungle for Jack (look at the beginning of the chapter)? 7. What flowers bloom at night? What does that show about the jungle? * Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) Is Ralph right in how he addresses the Littl'uns fear? • Is Jack right? • What would be a good path of action for both of them? • If Jack symbolizes darkness and chaos, Ralph lightness and order, what does Simon symbolize?

Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair Introduction - A chance for rescue passes by unheeded, while hunting goes on and Piggy loses something dear to him. 1. What rhythm is the island in?

( Study guide questions from: http://www.barrsenglishclass.com/flies.htm) How do the boys measure time? What does this show about their civilization? In describing the day, what else is Golding describing? Explain. 2. How do the littl'uns act? How have they lost civilization? 3. What does Roger do to Henry? Why? Why doesn't he hit him? How is Roger described? How is Golding using the metaphor of darkness? What was Henry doing while he was being "shelled"? Golding says "he was exercising control over living things" Why would Henry want to do that? 4. Masks are powerful things. Why? How does Jack show this? What does a mask allow you to do? How does Jack feel with the mask on? 5. What does Ralph see on the horizon? What had be been doing before it? 6. Why do they know, even before they get there, that the fire went out? Why did Jack let the fire out? Why did Ralph not notice? 7. What are the hunters chanting as they approach? What does the killing show? Who is carrying the pig? "We needed meat." Why? 8. What does Jack break? Why? What do the glasses symbolize? 9. Simon says that he is afraid. Why? 10. Does Ralph eat any pig? Does Piggy? How does he get it? How is Jack using the meat? 11. What do they do after they eat? How does that show savageness? * Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) How does Golding use hair color and clothing to show the kids? What is the significance? What will they look like in another three months?

Chapter 5: Beast from the Water Introduction The break has been made and Ralph and Jack's friendship is gone, while Piggy is getting more important. The meetings start to slip away... 1. How is Ralph different now from the way he was the first time he walked the beach? How does Golding use hair symbolically here? 2. What is the tone of the meeting? What does Ralph want to talk about? How have they forgotten their jobs? 3. Where do the littl'uns go to the bathroom? What does that show about them? Why shouldn't they go near the fruit? 4. Complete the quote; "We've got to have smoke up there______." Explain. Ralph also says that the smoke is more important than the pig. How is he right? How is he wrong? Why should he have ended his speech when Jack wants the Conch? 5. What does Jack say to the assembly? How is he being sensible? 6. What does Phil tell them about? Why is it a mistake to talk about the Beast when they do? What happens to Percival? When he remembers his name, what does that show? Where does he think the beast is? 7. How are the little kids starting to behave? Why? 8. Simon comes up with a dangerous idea. What is it? Who does he think the beast is? Explain.

( Study guide questions from: http://www.barrsenglishclass.com/flies.htm) 9. How does the meeting end? Why do the kids do that? 10. What do they wish for at the end of the chapter? Why? 11. What does Percival do in the middle of the night? Why? * Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) How might Ralph have kept the meeting focused? • Why is Piggy afraid?

Chapter 6: Beast From the Air Introduction - Well, the world of adults sends a message to the kids, just as they asked.... 1. What details in the description let you know that the figure is dead before it hits the ground? What sort of message is this? Why didn't the twins see the body fall? 2. Who sees the beast? What have they just done? How do they react? 3. Complete the quote "The silence was full of ______." Explain. 4. How was this a good meeting for Ralph? How does he get the attention of the meeting away from Jack? Do the boys want to be rescued? Explain 5. How was Simon embarrassed? What wasn't he able to do? Who does Simon imagine the beast to be? 6. Why must Ralph lead them onto the rock? How is that a good thing for Ralph's leadership? How is this trip different from the first trip the three of them took? 7. How does Golding describe the rock using personification? 8. When Jack says "Couldn't let you do it on your own." What two ways are we supposed to take it? 9. How does this rock toppling contrast with the previous Rock toppling? 10. Why is this a good place for the fort? How has the author made the identity of the beast more and more clear? What do the other boys want to do? 11. An important thing has happened at the fort. The last line gives it away. How did this happen? Why don't the boys want Ralph's leadership? * Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) Why doesn't Ralph want to be a leader? Have you ever had to act like an adult when you really didn't want to? Explain.

Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees Introduction - Ralph gives up leadership a little bit, and the craziness hits him. 1. What is Ralph thinking as he walks behind Jack? How does Golding use hair again? Why does Ralph want to clean himself up, symbolically? 2. What do the boys look like? What disturbs Ralph about this knowledge? 3. What is the other side of the island like? What depresses him? What does the phrase "brute obtuseness" mean? 4. Simon gives him a prediction. What is it? What is ominous in Simon's prediction? 5. What does Jack find? What unusual simile is used when he finds them? Why does Ralph give up the leadership role? What does Ralph think about while he is hunting? What does that show about him? 6. When the boar turns, who gets the first shot in at him? Why is that a good thing for Ralph? How does he feel about that? 7. How do the boys play with Robert? Why is that not play? How does Ralph react to the game? What do they chant? How does a chant affect them? When have you heard a chant?

( Study guide questions from: http://www.barrsenglishclass.com/flies.htm) How does it affect a group? 8. What decision does Ralph make? How does he mess up the peace he has had between himself and Jack? How does Simon solve the problem? 9. What embarrassing question does Ralph ask? Why is it embarrassing? 10. What challenge does Jack issue? Why does he feel that he needs to do this? What is the strongest emotion that Jack feels? 11. Who are the three that go up the mountain? Why is it appropriate that Roger comes along? 12. Who sees the beast first? How does he react? 13. Who fully confronts the beast? What happens then? What emotion does Ralph give in to? * Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) What quality would make Jack a better leader? What quality would make Ralph a better leader?

Chapter 8: Gift of the Darkness Introduction - Jack finally forces a confrontation, and when things don’t go as he expected, he leaves. He and his hunters go after the beast, in a very odd hunt. Simon creeps into the woods as well and talks to the Beast. 1. What does Piggy have a hard time believing? How would the story be different if you didn't know what the beast is on top of the mountain? How do they describe the conch? What does that say about the force of civilization? 2. Complete the quote: "Boys armed with ______." Why does this anger Jack? 3. Why did Jack call the meeting? What happens at the meeting to Jack? What emotion fuels his run? After six hours, what are the results of the meeting? 4. Why is Piggy upset? 5. What does Simon suggest? Why is that a good idea? In reality, what is he telling the boys to do? 7. What is Piggy's idea? Why is it a good practically? Why is it a good one psychologically? 8. What happens to the fire they build? 9. What is Simon doing? What is he becoming? 10. How does Jack propose to deal with the beast? Will that be successful? What is he telling the kids to do? Why is the hunt more important than the fire? 11. What sort of pig do they kill? What sex is that? Earlier, Jack wouldn't stab a pig right below him. Now, he goes after the sow. How has he changed? What language do they use to describe killing the sow? (135 Middle) Why might Golding use that language? What are flying nearby? Who must be watching this? 12. Why do they sharpen a stick at both ends? What word won't they use? Why? Complete the quote: "The ______accepted the gift." Explain. 13. Who does Simon talk to? What does it say to him? What does Simon say to it? Why is that important? 14. What has happened to the fire? What is Ralph worried about? 15. Who steals some of the fire? How do they look? How is Jack dressed? What does that say about him? Why doesn't he go for the Conch? Why are the littl'uns going to join Jack? 16. What word evades Jack's memory? Explain. 16. What is talking to Simon? How could the Pig's head be a beast? Why can't you kill it? What does it threaten to do?

( Study guide questions from: http://www.barrsenglishclass.com/flies.htm) What does the word "fun" mean? Is that ironic? * Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) What is the Beast, the Lord of the Flies? Describe the scene when Jack comes to steal the fire? Why is it significant?

Chapter 9: A View to a Death Introduction Simon (named after the saint, Simon Peter) sees the beast and comes back to tell everyone, but finds the real beast. 1. How has the weather changed? Why did Golding do this? 2. What does Simon do when he finds the pilot? Why does this show his humanity? Why isn't he scared? 3. How do the boys treat Jack? Why might they be more comfortable doing this than the democracy Ralph practiced? Is this similar to the school they were once at? 4. Why won't they look at Ralph? How does Ralph and Piggy defuse the scene? 5. How has the Conch lost some of its power? 6. Instead of trying to protect themselves from the rain, the boys begin their dance. Why? What does the dance protect them from? 7. Complete the quote "They were glad to touch______." How is the circle a fence? Why do Piggy and Ralph join it? What do they chant? 8. Complete the quote "There was only the sound of ______." What claws? Explain. Who else takes part in the killing? What else leaves the island? 9. How is Simon's body taken away from the island? Why does the author dwell on the bioluminescence? What is he trying to compare it to? How is that fitting for Simon? Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) What is the symbolism of Simon’s death? How is Simon an archetype? Describe some other archetypes from literature.

Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses Introduction - Everyone has to deal with the fact that they murdered. Some do better than others. Piggy loses an important thing. 1. At night, what does Ralph think of? Do you suppose Roger or Jack dream similar things? What do they dream of? What does Piggy think will happen to them? How long have they been on the island? 2. When they hear noises outside the shelter, what do they think? How are they wrong? How are they right? 3. What happens in the shelter? How does Ralph do for himself? What is gone? What is the literal importance of that? Figuratively, what has happened? How else could Jack and Roger have gotten fire? 4 Who did Ralph hit? Why is that ironic? * Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) What could Ralph and Piggy do now?

Chapter 11: Castle Rock Introduction - Civilization, in its last tattered remnants, sinks gracefully beneath the waves. 1. What does Piggy insist that Ralph do? What does Piggy still believe in? Does anyone else? 2. What is he going to tell Jack? What will he bring with him? What does he think that will do? Why should Jack give him his glasses back? 3. How are they going to get ready for the trip? Why is that important? How does Golding use hair again? What does Samneric want? 4. What is Ralph constantly forgetting? What does that show? 5. Complete the quote “Stop being ______.” Why is that the wrong word to use? Who else might say that word? 6. What does Roger do to the twins? Where else have we seen this action? ( Study guide questions from: http://www.barrsenglishclass.com/flies.htm) How is it different this time? 7. What does Ralph accuse Jack of being? How does Jack feel as a result of that? How does Jack and Ralph’s battle show a shred of civilization? 8. Why does the tribe laugh at Ralph? What does that show about them? What odd order does Jack give? Why do they follow it? 9. How does Ralph become savage? How does Piggy stop it? Why do the kids boo him? 10. How have things fallen apart? What has happened to the best? What has happened to the worst? 11. What is making the “Zup“ sound? What does that show? Does Roger see Piggy and Ralph as people anymore? Explain and/or quote. 12. What happens to Piggy? How do the kids react to this? What else is gone? What does this show? Where else in the novel has Golding used the rolling rock? 13. What does Jack do to Ralph? How does Jack run the tribe? What does that show? 14. What do they try and get Samneric to do? How do they do it? How do they keep the tribe together? What is going to happen to them? * Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) Describe what the four civilized ones look like walking down the beach.

Chapter 12: Cry of the Hunters Introduction - In which terror and the beast rule the island and an improbable, but disquieting ending occurs. What begins with a noble call of the shell, ends with the cry of the hunters. 1. Why can’t Jack clean his wounds? Who does he see? How is he wrong? 2. Complete the quote: “Feast today, for tomorrow______.” Why does Ralph think that? What does the feasting allow him to do? What is ironic about the fire and the feasting? 3. What does Ralph think he could be? Why won’t Jack ever let him alone? 4. What does Ralph meet in the clearing? Why is it “grinning”? Why does it grin more, the more Ralph hits it? 5. Why does Ralph want to join the group? Why won’t he? 6. Who does Ralph talk to? What does he say to them? Why do they tell him to leave? How will they hunt for him? 7. What has Roger got ready for Ralph? What’s it for? 8. How has Ralph become an animal? 9. Where does Ralph hide? How else was that thicket used? How is he betrayed? 10. How do the boys propose to get him out of the thicket? Are they being intelligent? What does that show about intelligence? 11. How do they finally get him out of the thicket? What does Ralph do on the way out of the thicket? What does that show? 12. What choices does Ralph have for survival? What else could he do? What does he finally choose? Whereabouts' on the island does he do this? 13. When he hides, he acts like an animal. How? The words of Simon appear here. Why? Why does Ralph attack the savage? What does Ralph look like to the savage at that moment? 14. Where does Ralph run to? 15. How is he rescued? Who rescues him? Why did he have his hand on the butt of his gun? 16. Ralph tells the truth. What does he say? Is the navy man a savage? Explain.

( Study guide questions from: http://www.barrsenglishclass.com/flies.htm) 17. What can’t Percival Wemys Madison remember? Why? 18. He calls them “a pack of British boys” Why is the word “pack” appropriate? What biblical place is the island similar to? Explain. 19. Why is Jack crying? What has he learned? 20. Why doesn’t the officer look at them? What does he look at in the distance? What does that show? Why is this ironic? *Journal Writing (minimum of 20 lines) What will happen one week after the boys are picked up from the island?

( Study guide questions from: http://www.barrsenglishclass.com/flies.htm)