STUDY GUIDE
NAME: _____________
Personality Test
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions honestly by circling YES or NO.
1.
Are you often picked on, teased and mocked by your peers, more so than other people?
YES
NO
2.
Do others tend to look to you as a leader and expect you to take control?
YES
NO
3.
Do you have impulses to destroy things, such as writing on desks or knocking over trash
cans?
YES
NO
4.
When making plans with your friends, do you prefer telling your friends what you want to
do rather than letting them choose?
YES
NO
5.
Have you ever enjoyed hurting or harming insects or small animals such as kicking an ant hill
or throwing rocks at birds or squirrels?
YES
NO
6.
Are you really close with one of your parents or guardians and prefer to hang out with him
or her rather than people your own age?
YES
NO
YES
NO
7.
Do you like to get input from others before you make a major decision?
8.
Do you find it unnecessary to get input from others when making an important decision
because you usually can come up with the best idea by yourself?
YES
NO
9.
Do you like to offer your opinion when an important decision needs to be made but prefer
not to have the responsibility of actually making the official decision?
YES
NO
10.
When you have responsibilities to complete such as homework or house chores are you
easily distracted and often forget to complete the job?
YES
NO
11.
Do you enjoy and appreciate nature, able to see beauty in all kinds of creatures and plantlife?
YES
NO
YES
NO
12.
Do you love to have fun, goof around always look for exciting things to do?
13.
When things get chaotic and disorderly, such as in a classroom, do you get nervous and
uncomfortable?
YES
NO
14.
If someone told you a secret, would you tell others if it meant saving yourself
embarrassment?
YES
NO
15.
Do you usually follow directions and listen to your authority figures, such as teachers, even
when others are disobeying or not following directions?
YES
NO
16.
If an authority figure such as a teacher or parent gave you a direction that you disagreed
with, would you do it anyway without questioning them?
YES
NO
17.
If an authority figure such as a teacher or parent gave you a direction that you disagreed
with, would you ignore what they told you to do and do your own thing?
YES
NO
C. Sawada
2
18.
If an authority figure such as a teacher or parent gave you a direction that you disagreed
with would you challenge them by talking back or verbally defying them?
YES
NO
19.
If an authority figure such as a teacher or parent gave you a direction that you disagreed
with, would you respectfully ask questions to clarify their reasons behind the request?
YES
NO
20.
If property was damaged or people were hurt and you were responsible, would you keep
quiet about your involvement when questioned by authority?
YES
NO
21.
If property was damaged or people were hurt and you were responsible, would you confess
and admit responsibility when questioned by authority?
YES
NO
22.
In scary or unnerving situations, do you usually find yourself comforting others rather than
looking after yourself?
YES
NO
23.
In group projects or team sports, do you feel responsible for the success of everyone?
YES
NO
24.
Do others tend to avoid you or steer clear of you because they find you intimidating and
maybe “a little scary?”
YES
NO
25.
Do you find yourself willing to “take one for the team” or willing to be a sacrifice for the
safety, happiness, or success of others?
YES
NO
YES
NO
26.
Do you enjoy teasing and making fun of others?
27.
Do you tend to laugh at others’ expense, such as laugh at the jokes made when someone is
getting teased or picked on by someone else?
YES
NO
28.
If it were guaranteed that no one would find out and you would not get caught, would you
cheat on a test?
YES
NO
29.
Do you tend to jump into action quickly when an idea sounds fun rather than stop and think
it through?
YES
NO
YES
NO
30.
If there were a fight on campus, would you stop and watch?
31.
Do you enjoy and often prefer to be alone, doing your own thing, rather than with other
people?
YES
NO
32.
If your circle of friends began a fight with another group of people, would you join in?
YES
NO
YES
NO
33.
Do you rely mostly on knowledge and facts to solve problems rather than gut instinct or
your emotional response?
Determine your Personality: tally your score as directed in the chart below.
Ralph
Jack
Piggy
Simon
C. Sawada
Roger
Littluns’
3
WHAT IS EVIL?
Directions:
1. In your own words write a definition of evil. Consider degrees or criteria of evil as well.
2. Decide whether each situation or action listed below is evil or not evil (based on your definition). Check the appropriate column.
3. Then briefly, underneath each, explain your judgment (why is it evil/not evil?).
Definition of evil:
Evil
Not evil
Situation/Actions
1.
The pilot dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
2.
The scientist designed the atomic bomb.
3.
The president ordered the man to design the bomb and told the pilot to drop it.
4.
A man kills his friend in a fit of blind rage.
5.
An oppressed man leads a savage revolt to kill as many of his oppressors as he can for revenge.
6.
An oppressed man kills his oppressor to achieve freedom.
7.
A woman who has been repeatedly abused by her husband kills him while he sleeps.
8.
You tell a friend a deep secret but say nothing about keeping it a secret; the friend then tells others.
9.
A major league pitcher in a World Series game throws a wild pitch at the other team’s best hitter,
hitting him intentionally in order to take him out of the game.
10. A professional boxer in a boxing match hits his opponent, killing him.
11. A man uses his computer to access highly confidential personal information that includes both medical
and financial information and then disseminates it on the Internet.
12. A person, who knows he/she has AIDS, has sex with many different people.
13. One person, who is HIV-positive, confides in another person; the confidante tells another person who
tells another; eventually the infected person’s boss hears of it and fires the HIV-infected individual
because they are HIV-positive.
14. A pro-life activist murders a doctor who performs abortions as he is leaving for home.
15. A politician promises he will not cut funding to a certain group of supporters and then, upon entering
office, finds he can solve the problem no other way and cuts the funding to these people.
C. Sawada
4
Lord of the Flies: Reading Check Questions
Chapter 1: “The Sound of the Shell”
1.
Where were the boys going in the plane? Describe what happened to it. What nationality are the boys?
2.
Describe the island where the boys landed. What created the “Scar” on the island?
3.
What does Piggy find? How is it used?
4.
Who is chosen to be the chief? How and why? For whom did Piggy vote as chief? Why?
5.
What is Jack put in charge of? Why? How does he wish to contribute to the survival of the boys?
6.
Who went to make sure the island was really an island? What did they discover? Why did Jack almost use his knife?
Why didn’t he?
7.
Who is your favorite character so far? Why?
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
5
Lord of the Flies: Reading Analysis
Characterization: Ralph passages
p. 10 ¶ 3“He was old enough, twelve years and a few months…
eyes that proclaimed no devil.”
p. 21 “ ‘He’s not Fatty…his real name’s Piggy!’ ”
p. 22 ¶ 3 “None of the boys could have found a good reason for
this: what intelligence….”
p. 23 “ ‘Listen everybody, I’ve got to have time to think things out.
I can’t decide what to do straight off…I’ll go and Jack, and…’.”
Characterization: Jack passages
p. 19 ¶ 4 “Then the creature stepped from mirage on to clear sand,
and they saw that the darkness was not all shadow by mostly
clothing. The creature was a party of boys.”
p. 20 ¶ 4 “Inside the floating cloak he was tall, thin and
bony…ready to turn to anger.”
p. 22 “ ‘I ought to be chief… sing C sharp.”
p. 27-29 “High over this end of the island, the shattered rocks
lifted up their stacks and chimneys… and bear against that point of
furthest balance – increase – increase –”
What passages provide evidence for these descriptions of Piggy?
Chapter 1: “The Sound of the Shell”
What do these passages reveal about the character?
What do these passages reveal about the character?
Characterization: Descriptions of Piggy
fat
“mama’s boy”
sensitive
rational
What passages provide evidence for these descriptions of Simon?
asthmatic
fearful
self-conscious
scientific reasoning
thick glasses
timid
intelligent
Characterization: Descriptions of Simon
skinny
small
weak
epileptic (“touched by God”)
gentle spirit
Symbolism: the conch passages
How do these passages reveal the symbolism of the object?
p.16 “ ‘We could use this to call the others. Have a meeting.
They’ll come when they hear us –”
p. 18 “The children gave him the simple obedience that they had
given to the men with the megaphones”
p. 22 “ and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the
conch.”
Symbolism: the island passages
How do these passages reveal the symbolism of the object?
p. 12 description on the entire page
p. 26 “The most unusual feature of the rock was a pink cliff
surmounted by a skewed…deep in the plant world, their faces to
the rock.”
Symbolism: clothing passages
How do these passages reveal the symbolism of the object?
p. 14 “To pull on the grey shirt once more was strangely pleasing.”
p. 18 “Some were naked and carrying their clothes…jacketed or
jerseyed.”
C. Sawada
6
Lord of the Flies: Reading Check Questions
Chapter 2: “Fire on the Mountain”
1.
What are the rules that the boys make?
2.
Who is the only one who may interrupt the speaker holding the conch?
3.
Who saw the beast/beastie/snake-like thing? What was the reaction of the group?
4.
Who says, again and again that there isn’t a beast?
5.
On page 37, Ralph makes a two-fold “mission statement”. What are the two parts?
6.
Why do they need a fire?
7.
What did the boys use to start the fire?
8.
Who was the first boy to die? How?
9.
Who said it? (remember to indicate page numbers)
a. “How do you expect to be rescued of you don’t put first things first and act proper?”
b.
“I told you to. I told you to get a list of names!”
c.
“We’ll have rules! Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks ‘em –”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
7
Lord of the Flies: Reading Analysis
p.38 – “A fire! Make a fire!” At once half the boys were on their feet. Jack
clamored among them, the conch forgotten. --All at once the crowd swayed toward the island and was gone – following
Jack.
Chapter 2: “Fire on the Mountain”
How are the boys behaving? Why is Golding showing us this behavior?
p.41 – The boys were dancing. The pile was so rotten, and now so tinderdry, that whole limbs yielded passionately to the yellow flames that
poured upwards and shook a great beard of flame twenty feet in the air.
For yards round the fire the heat was like a blow, and the breeze was a river
of sparks. Trunks rumbled to white dust.
p 44 – Acres of black and yellow smoke rolled steadily toward the sea. At
the sight of the flames and the irresistible course of the fire, the boys broke
into shrill, excited cheering.”
- Beneath the capering boys a quarter of a mile square of forest was savage
with smoke and flame. The separate noises of the fire merged into a
drum-roll that seemed to shake the mountain.
p. 38 – “Like kids!” he said scornfully. “Acting like a crown of kids!” He
sighed, bent and laced up his shoes. The noise of the errant assembly
faded up the mountain. Then, with the martyred expression of a parent
who has to keep up with the senseless ebullience of the children, he picked
up the conch, turned toward the forest, and began to pick his way over the
tumbled scar.
How is Piggy behaving? Why is Golding showing us this behavior?
p. 45 – “I got the conch! Just listen! The first thing we ought to have made
was shelters down there by the beach. It wasn’t half cold down there in the
night. But the first time Ralph say ‘fire’ you goes howling and screaming
up this here mountain. Like a pack of kids!...Then when you get here you
build a bonfire that isn’t no use. Now you been and set the whole island on
fire. Won’t we look funny if the whole island burns up? Cooked fruit, that’s
what we’ll have to eat, and roast pork. And that’s nothing to laugh at! You
said Ralph was chief and you don’t give him time to think. Then when he
says something you rush off, like, like–”
p.33 – “There aren’t any grown-ups. we shall have to look after ourselves.”
“I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s
speaking.” “And he won’t be interrupted. Except by me.”
How is Ralph behaving? Why is Golding showing us this behavior?
p. 36 – “You couldn’t have a beastie, a snake-thing, on an island this size –
You only get them in big countries, like Africa, or India.”
p. 38 – “ There’s another thing. We can help them to find us. If a ship
comes near the island they may not notice us. So we must make smoke on
top of the mountain. We must make a fire.”
Symbolism: the fire passages
How do these passages reveal the symbolism of the object?
Symbolism: the glasses passages
How do these passages reveal the symbolism of the object?
C. Sawada
8
Lord of the Flies: Reading Check Questions
Chapter 3: “Huts on the Beach”
1.
What have Ralph and Simon been doing at the beginning of this chapter?
2.
What are the rest of the boys doing?
3.
What does Ralph think is the most important thing that needs to be addressed on the island? What is his
complaint?
4.
What does Jack think is the most important?
5.
What does Simon do while Jack and Ralph are arguing? How is he different from the majority of the other
characters?
6.
Describe the spot Simon finds in the jungle. Why is this place significant to his character?
7.
Who said it? (remember to indicate page numbers)
a. “We want meat!”
b.
“I was talking about smoke! Don’t you want to be rescued? All you talk about is pig, pig, pig!”
c.
“I thought I might kill.”
d.
“There’s nothing in it of course. Just a feeling. But you can feel as if you’re not hunting, but – being
hunted, as if something’s behind you all the time in the jungle.”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
9
Lord of the Flies: Reading Analysis
Chapter 3: “Huts on the Beach”
Characterization: Jack values hunting most; he thinks it should be the first priority. What does this reveal about his
character?
Characterization: Copy the passages which describe Jack’s
appearance while hunting.
How has Jack’s appearance changed since his arrival on the
island? What does this say about Jack’s character?
Characterization: Ralph values rescue (the fire) most; he thinks it should be the first priority. Then he puts shelter and “jobs”
as a close second priority. What does this reveal about his character?
Foreshadowing: What does the confrontation in this chapter between Ralph and Jack foreshadow for future chapters?
Jack’s Island passages:
How are these perceptions of the same island significantly
different?
Simon’s Island passages:
Symbolism: beast/beastie/snake-thing
pg. 52
“As if,” said Simon, “the beastie, the beastie or the snakething, was real. Remember?”
The two older boys flinched when they heard the shameful
syllable. Snakes were not mentioned now, were not
mentionable.
C. Sawada
How does this passage reveal the symbolism of the object?
10
Lord of the Flies
Reading Check Questions
Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair
1.
Who is Percival? Describe his behavior since arriving on the island.
2.
“The smaller boys were known now by the generic title of ______________.” Describe their physical condition and
habits. Why did they always obey the summons of the conch?
3.
What is spotted while the boys are swimming? Why doesn’t it respond?
4.
Why is Jack so excited when he first re-joins the boys in this chapter? How do you think this will lead to the division of
the boys?
5.
What happens when Jack punches Piggy? Why is this significant?
6.
When the boys are feasting on the pig, whom is Jack leaving out and why?
7.
Describe the dance that is performed around the fire.
8.
Who said it? (remember to indicate page numbers):
a. “They don’t smell me. They see me, I think. Something pink, under the trees.”
b.
I’ve been thinking about a clock. We could make a sundial. We could put a stick in the sand and then –”
c.
“There was a ship. Out there. You said you’d keep the fire going and you let it out! They might have seen
us. We might have gone home –”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
11
Lord of the Flies
Reading Analysis Questions
p.60 Roger and Maurice came out of the forest. They were relieved
from duty at the fire and had come down for a swim. Roger led the
way straight through the castles, kicking them over, burying the
flowers, scattering the chosen stones. Maurice followed, laughing,
and added to the destruction. The three littluns paused in their
game and looked up. As is happened, the particular marks in which
they were interested had not been touched, so they made no
protest. Only Percival began to whimper with an eyeful of sand and
Maurice still felt the unease of wrongdoing. At the back of his
mind formed the uncertain outlines of an excuse. He muttered
something about a swim and broke into a trot.
Characterization of Roger:
(Chpt 1) p. 22 There was a slight boy whom no one knew, who kept
to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy. He
muttered that his name was Roger and then was silent again.
p.60 Roger remained, watching the littluns. He was not noticeably
darker than when he had dropped in, but the shock of black hair,
down his nape and low on his forehead, seemed to suit his gloomy
face and made what had seemed at first an unsociable remoteness
into something forbidding.
p. 61 When Henry tired of his play and wandered off along the
beach, Roger followed him, keeping the palms and drifting casually
in the same direction….
p. 62 Roger stooped, picked up a stone, aimed, and threw it at
Henry – threw it to miss. The stone, that token of preposterous
time, bounced five yards to Henry’s right and fell in the water,
Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet
there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into
which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the
taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the
protection of parents and school and policemen and the law.
Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing
of him and was in ruins.
…Roger had whipped behind the palm again, was leaning against it
breathing quickly, his eyelids fluttering. Then Henry lost interest in
stones and wandered off.
p. 63
Jack planned his new face. He made one cheek and one eyesocket white, then he rubbed red over the other half of his face and
slashed a black bar of charcoal across from right ear to left jaw. He
looked in the pool for his reflection, but his breathing troubled the
mirror.
“Samneric. Get me a coconut. An empty one.”
He knelt, holding the shell of water. A rounded path of sunlight
fell on his face and a brightness appeared in the depths of the
water. He looked in astonishment, no longer at himself but at an
awesome stranger. He split the water and leapt to his feet,
laughing excitedly. Beside the pool his sinewy body helped up a
mask that drew their eyes and appalled them. He began to dance
and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling. He capered
toward Bill, and the mask was a thing on its own, behind which jack
hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness. The face of red
and white and black swung through the air and jigged toward Bill.
Bill started up laughing; then suddenly he fell silent and blundered
away through the bushes.
Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair
Discuss the behavior of Roger and Maurice. Why is Golding
showing us this behavior?
Explain the meaning of the words in bold:
Describe Roger’s traits and appearance:
Discuss the meaning of the words in bold:
What is the connotation of the word “slashed”?
Draw a sketch of the painted face:
Why are the other’s “appalled”?
What is the tone of “bloodthirsty snarling”?
When Jack is “liberated from shame and self-consciousness” he is
no longer…
What is Bill’s reaction to Jack’s face? Underline the words that
show you this.
What is the connotation of white? red? black?
C. Sawada
12
Lord of the Flies: Reading Check Questions
Chapter 5: “Beast From Water”
1. What are the littl’uns preoccupied with in this chapter?
2. How do the older boys respond to their concerns?
3. What is the thing in reality?
4. How does Simon attempt to settle the matter of the littl’uns’ concerns?
5. What deeper meaning is implied when Simon says that there may be a beast, but “it’s only us”?
6. What point does Jack bring up during the assembly? What are his reasons for thinking this way?
7. What do the hunters do after breaking up the assembly?
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
13
Lord of the Flies: Reading Analysis
Chapter 5: “Beast From Water”
Jigsaw
Directions:
1. Divide the chapter as evenly as possible amongst the group members.
2. Re-read your portion silently, summarize it and list all the evidence of decay, destruction, and “things falling apart” through quotes
and/or paraphrases. Make sure you cite (p. #) all paraphrases and quotes.
3. Discuss your section with your group members and take notes on what each person found in their sections.
Group member #1 pages ______ through ______
Summary:
Evidence of decay/destruction/”things falling apart”:
Group member #2 pages ______ through ______
Summary:
C. Sawada
Evidence of decay/destruction/”things falling apart”:
14
Lord of the Flies: Reading Analysis
Chapter 5: “Beast From Water”
Jigsaw
Group member #3 pages ______ through ______
Summary:
Evidence of decay/destruction/”things falling apart”:
Group member #4 pages ______ through ______
Summary:
C. Sawada
Evidence of decay/destruction/”things falling apart”:
15
Lord of the Flies
Reading Check Questions
1.
What falls onto the island during the night?
2.
Who is tending the fire when the “beast” is discovered?
3.
What makes the “beast” move?
4.
What does Ralph tell Jack to do at the meeting when Jack tries to talk out of turn?
5.
What do the boys discover when they get to the tail end of the island?
6.
Who volunteers to go first and see if the beast is ahead?
7.
How does Jack view the island abutment they discover?
8.
What do the boys do when they enter the small island?
9.
What does Ralph urge them to concentrate on instead?
Chapter 6: Beast from Air
10. Who leads the boys off the rock?
11. Who said it? (remember page numbers)
a. “We’ve seen the beast with our own eyes. No – we weren’t asleep.”
b.
“‘Course I’m frightened. Who wouldn’t be?”
c.
“Conch! Conch! We don’t need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things. What good did
Simon do speaking, or Bill, or Walter? It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave
deciding things to the rest of us.”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
16
Lord of the Flies
Reading Analysis Questions
p.108
“I say we’ll go on!” shouted Ralph, “we’ve got to make
certain.”
“Let’s stay here – ”
“Back to the shelter –”
“I’m tired – ”
“No!”
Ralph struck the skin off his knuckles. They did not seem to
hurt.
“I’m chief. We’ve got to make certain. Can’t you see the
mountain? There’s no signal showing. There may be a ship
out there. Are you all off your rockers?”
Mutinously, the boys fell silent or muttering.
Jack led the way down the rock and across the bridge.
Chapter 6: Beast from Air
What is happening to the order and power on the island?
On a separate piece of paper, draw your interpretation of the island the boys are living on.
Include significant locations such as:
 The beach, lagoon, coral reef area, bathing pool
 The Scar
 The mountain, the fire (the first fire area)
 Simon’s Nature Place
 Castle Rock and the bridge
Include significant colors and design such as: pink, sand, cliffs, the jungle, deep jungle etc.
C. Sawada
17
Lord of the Flies
Reading Check Questions
Chapter 7: “Shadows and Tall Trees”
1.
What is on Ralph’s mind at the beginning of this chapter? Who attempts to reassure him?
2.
How is the dance in Chapter 7 different from previous dances? Who played the role of the pig? Who joins in? How is this
evidence that the hunters are becoming more brutal and dangerous?
3.
Who offers to go and tell Piggy and the littluns that the boys won’t be back looking for the beast until after dark? Why is
this significant?
4.
Jack scales the mountain in order to get a better view. What does he think he sees? What is it in actuality?
5.
Who said it? (remember to indicate page numbers):
d. “You’ll get back to where you came from.”
e.
(2 speakers here) “Someone’s got to go across the island and tell Piggy we’ll be back after dark.” “I’ll go if
you like. I don’t mind, honestly.”
f.
(2 speakers here) “I saw a thing bulge on the mountain.” “You only imagined it, because nothing would
bulge. Not any sort of creature.”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
18
Lord of the Flies
Reading Analysis Questions
Chapter 7: “Shadows and Tall Trees”
Symbolism
p. 109 - …Ralph planned his toilet. He would like to have a
pair of scissors and cut this hair – he flung the mass back –
cut this filthy hair right back to half an inch. He passed his
tongue experimentally over his teeth and decided that a
toothbrush would come in handy too. Then there were his
nails – ”
What does the word toilet mean?
Characterization of Simon:
p. 111
“You’ll get back to where you came from.”
Simon nodded as he spoke….
Ralph was puzzled and searched Simon’s face for a clue.
“Got a ship in your pocket?”
Simon grinned and shook his head.
“How do you know, then?”
When Simon was still silent Ralph said curtly, “You’re batty.”
Simon shook his head violently till the coarse black hair flew
backwards and forwards across his face.
“No I’m not. I just think you’ll get back all right.”
Knowing what we know about Simon, why is this
conversation between Simon and Ralph significant?
p. 113
…Ralph saw Jack nudged aside and fall. Then there was a
creature bounding along the pig track toward him, with tusks
gleaming and an intimidating grunt. Ralph found he was
able to measure the distance coldly and take aim. With the
boar only five yards away, he flung the foolish wooden stick
that he carried, saw it hit the great snout and hang there for
a moment. The boar’s note changed to a squeal and it
swerved aside into the covert. The pig-run filled with
shouting boys again, Jack came running back, and poked
about in the undergrowth.
…The boar was floundering away from them. They found
another pig-run parallel to the first and Jack raced away.
Ralph was full of fright and apprehension and pride.
“I hit him! The spear stuck in – ”
Ralph talked on, excitedly.
“I hit him all right. The spear stuck in. I wounded him!”
He sunned himself in their new respect and felt that
hunting was good after all.
What is the significance of the line in bold? What is Golding’s
purpose here?
C. Sawada
What is symbolic in Ralph’s desire to get cleaned up?
19
Lord of the Flies
Reading Check Questions
Chapter 8: “Gift for the Darkness”
1.
Who calls the assembly to discuss the beast?
2.
What lie does Jack tell the others at the assembly?
3.
What does Jack do before he leaves the assembly?
4.
Who are the boys that have stayed with Ralph?
5.
What is Piggy’s radical idea concerning the fire?
6.
How does Roger help in killing the sow?
7.
What do the boys do with the pig after they kill it?
8.
What does Jack’s raiding party steal?
9.
Who said it? (remember to indicate page numbers):
1. “I’ve got the conch. Ralph thinks you’re cowards, running away from the boar and the beast. And that’s
not all…. He’s like Piggy. He says thing like Piggy. He isn’t a proper chief.”
2.
“I’m not going to play any longer. Not with you.”
3.
“We can’t keep one fire going. And they don’t care. And what’s more – What’s more, I don’t care
sometimes. Supposing I got like the others – not caring. What ‘ud become of us?”
4.
“Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you?
Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
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Lord of the Flies
Reading Analysis Questions
Symbolism: the Lord of the Flies
Draw your visual interpretation:
Chapter 8: “Gift for the Darkness”
What is the Lord of the Flies literally?
What is the Lord of the Flies symbolically?
The Lord of the Flies:
p. 143-44
“You are a silly little boy,” said the Lord of the Flies, “just an
ignorant, silly little boy.”
Simon moved his swollen tongue but said nothing.
“Don’t you agree?” said the Lord of the Flies. “Aren’t you just a
silly little boy?”
Simon answered him in the same silent voice.
“Well then,” said the Lord of the Flies, “you’d better run off and
play with the others. They think you’re batty. You don’t want
Ralph to think you’re batty, do you? You like Ralph a lot, don’t you?
And Piggy, and Jack?”
Simon’s head was tilted slightly up. His eyes could not break away
and the Lord of the Flies hung in space before him.
“What are you doing out here all alone? Aren’t you afraid of me?”
Simon shook.
“There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the Beast.”
Simon’s mouth labored, brought forth audible words.
“Pig’s head on a stick.”
“Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!”
said the head. For a moment or two the forest and all the other
dimly appreciated places echoed with the parody of laughter. “You
knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the
reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?”
The laughter shivered again.
“Come now,” said the Lord of the Flies. “Get back to the others
and we’ll forget the whole thing.”
Simon’s head wobbled. His eyes were half closed as though he
were imitating the obscene thing on the stick. He knew that one of
his times was coming on. The Lord of the Flies was expanding like a
balloon.
“This is ridiculous. You know perfectly well you’ll only meet me
down there – so don’t try to escape!”
Simon’s body was arched and stiff. The Lord of the Flies spoke in
the voice of a schoolmaster.
“This has gone quite far enough. My poor, misguided child, do you
think you know better than I do?”
There was a pause.
“I’m warning you. I’m going to get angry. D’ you see? You’re not
wanted. Understand? We are going to have fun on this island.
Understand? We are going to have fun on this island! So don’t try it
on, my poor misguided boy, or else – ”
Simon found he was looking into a vast mouth. There was
blackness within, a blackness that spread.
“ – Or else,” said the Lord of the Flies, “we shall do you? See? Jack
and Roger and Maurice and Robert and Bill and Piggy and Ralph.
Do you see?”
Simon was inside the mouth. He fell down and lost consciousness.
C. Sawada
What is the significance of this passage?
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Lord of the Flies Reading Analysis Questions
Chapter 9: “A View to a Death”
1.
What does Simon do to the figure on the mountainside?
2.
Who suggests Ralph and Piggy should go to the party? Why does he blush after he says it?
3.
How is it that Ralph and Piggy’s awkward presence at the party is accepted?
4.
What does Jack declare about the conch to Ralph?
5.
What is the weather like toward the end of the party? Why is this important symbolically?
6.
Describe the ritual around the fire. How has this event been escalating throughout the novel? How is the
dehumanization of the boys coming to a climax?
7.
How was the “prophesy” of the Lord of the Flies fulfilled? Describe it in detail.
8.
Who said it? (remember to indicate page numbers):
a. “Do our dance! Come on! Dance!”
b.
“Let them go. I don’t care.”
c.
“P’raps we ought to go too…I mean to make sure nothing happens.”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
22
Lord of the Flies Reading Analysis Questions
Chapter 10: “The Shell and the Glasses”
1.
What were Samneric doing in the beginning of the chapter?
2.
On page 157, what is Ralph frightened of, why?
3.
Give specific examples of how savage Jack has become by Chapter 10.
4.
Before they were attacked, what did Ralph “desperately pray”?
5.
Who was Ralph fighting in the dark?
6.
What did Jack take from the others? What did he leave? How does this symbolize a disappearance of order and clearsightedness?
7.
Who said it? (remember to indicate page numbers):
a. “That was murder.”
b.
“We don’t want another night without fire.”
c.
“I thought they wanted the conch.”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
23
Lord of the Flies Reading Analysis Questions
Chapter 11: “Castle Rock”
1.
Why do Ralph, Piggy and Samneric head off to Jack’s camp?
2.
What does Jack do in response to Ralph’s attempting to call an assembly?
3.
Summarize Piggy’s speech to the boys. How do the boys react to his speech?
4.
Who “protested out of the heart of civilization”? (p. 178). What does this mean?
5.
What is Roger’s response to Piggy’s speech? How does his response symbolize the disappearance of some of the last
remnants of democracy?
6.
Who said it? (remember the page numbers):
a. “After all we aren’t savages really, and being rescued isn’t a game.”
b.
“Well, we won’t be painted, because we aren’t savages.”
c.
“You’re a beast and a swine and a bloody, bloody thief!”
d.
“Which is better – to have rules and agree or to hunt and kill?”
e.
“See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I meant that! There isn’t a tribe anymore! The conch is gone – ”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
24
Lord of the Flies
The Allegory
An Allegory is a story with more than one level of meaning – a literal level and one or more symbolic levels. Allegory allows
a writer to tell a story about literal characters and to make a moral, religious or political point. In a novel such as Lord of the
Flies, the author makes direct comments on life and society through the use of allegory. Besides having a literal surface
meaning, the events, settings, or characters also stand for ideas or qualities and have a second meaning on that level. For
example, in Animal Farm, Orwell made comments on the political affairs and the Marxist Theory of the Soviet Union under
the rule of Stalin and Trotsky. In Lord of the Flies, William Golding reserves his allegory for certain aspects of society. For
each of the characters below, identify Golding’s allegorical identification with society.
Ralph represents:
Roger represents:
Samneric & the littluns
represent:
=
The island represents: the world. The island is a
miniature scale of the world – everything in the world is
represented in the characters or the “things” on the
island.
Jack represents:
Piggy represents:
Simon represents:
C. Sawada
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Lord of the Flies Reading Analysis Questions
Chapter 12: “Cry of the Hunters”
1.
Who was the “savage whose image refused to blend with that ancient picture of a boy in shorts and shirt”?
2.
Why would “bathing [Ralph’s] injuries have to wait”?
3.
What did Ralph do to the Lord of the Flies?
4.
Who had the “memory of a new and shameful loyalty”?
5.
What is now the target of the boys’ hunting? Who acts as betrayer? Why?
6.
What do the hunters do out of desperation? Why is this a foolish act? Based on the eventual outcome, why is it also
ironic?
7.
When the Naval officer arrives, who stands up and takes responsibility for the actions of the boys? Who doesn’t? Why is
this significant?
8.
How does the world of the island mirror the “real” world once the boys are rescued by the Naval officer?
9.
Who said it? (remember page numbers)
a. “They’re going to hunt you tomorrow.”
b.
“Nobody killed, I hope? Any dead bodies?”
CHARACTER NOTES: Note significant references to your character. Record evidence (at least 2 quotes with citations)
and analyze how this evidence reveals this character (explain the significance of the quotes).
C. Sawada
26
Lord of the Flies
Thematic Analysis
Understanding Theme: A theme is a central idea, concern, or purpose in a literary work. It is an insight or understanding about
life or human nature that the author wishes to pass along to the reader. Each of the following topics are woven throughout the
novel Lord of the Flies. For each topic below, list evidence from the novel when the topic surfaces. Then, determine what
insight about life or human nature William Golding is sharing with readers by writing a thematic statement or two for each topic.
EVIDENCE OF TOPIC:
The need for civilization
THEMATIC STATEMENTS:
1.
2.
Loss of innocence
1.
2.
Blindness and sight
1.
2.
Fear of the unknown
1.
2.
Power
1.
2.
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Lord of the Flies
Quotations
Themes in literature are the main issues an author wishes to address through his work. Often this is done through
characters’ speeches. Identify the speaker for each of the following quotations, as well as to whom the words were spoken.
Then explain the message the author hopes to communicate with these words.
1.
“Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?”
2.
“I’m not going to play anymore. Not with you.”
3.
“I was talking about smoke! Don’t you want to be rescued? All you can talk about is pig, pig, pig!”
4.
“Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill.”
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5.
“They’re going to hunt you tomorrow.”
6.
“I agree with Ralph. We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English
are best at everything. So we’ve got to do the right things.”
7.
“I know there isn’t no beast—not with claws and all that, I mean—but I know there isn’t no fear either...Unless—...Unless
we get frightened of people.”
8.
“If you’re hunting sometimes... you can feel as if you’re not hunting, but—being hunted, as if something’s behind you all
the time in the jungle.”
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