LORD OF THE FLIES
Honors Study Questions
Directions: Answer each question on your own paper in complete sentences. Each
bolded section is to be the main focus of your response. The questions/statements
following the bolded portions are to be used to help guide responses. Each response
must include an embedded quotation with properly formatted citation.
CHAPTER 1
1. Describe Jack’s interaction with the piglet. What is the literal reason why Jack is
unable to kill the pig? What is actually stopping him from killing the piglet? (it is not a
physical thing, but rather a concept) When the piglet gets away, what does Jack say
and what does this foreshadow?
2. How does Golding present Jack? How is he first introduced? Describe his physical
appearance. How does he introduce himself and what is the significance of this?
3. How is Piggy revealed as most closely tied to the world of adults? What/who
does he talk about? How does he describe the others on the island?
4. a. Describe Jack’s reaction to the idea of the expedition. Why does he go?
b. Describe Ralph’s reaction and interpretation of the expedition. Why does he go?
c. Describe Simon’s reaction to the idea of the expedition. Why does he go?
5. Create the following chart and fill in all fields. **This section does not require direct
quotations; however, you must include page numbers that refer to the characters.
PAGE
CHARACTER
APPEARANCE
PERSONALITY
REFERENCE
Ralph
Piggy
Jack
Simon
Roger
Sam and Eric
CHAPTERS 2 AND 3
1. When the issue of the Beast is presented, how does Jack’s response differ
from Ralph’s? What is the motive of each character’s response? What does each
response say about the character’s views on evil?
2. Analyze the two groups that are emerging on the island. What are the two
groups and who are the members of each? What are the goals of each group? What
does each group represent?
3. Explain what the reader knows about each of the following relationships: *must
include a quote for each relationship
a. Jack and Ralph: How are their personalities and relationship presented?
Think about how they treat one another, both in perception and reality.
b. Jack and Piggy: What does each character represent? How does this affect
their relationship?
c. Ralph and Piggy: What does the reader expect from these two characters?
What is the reality of their interactions?
4. Interpret Piggy’s complain of: “I was with him when he found the conch. I was
with him before anyone was.” When does he say this? What causes him to say this?
What is he trying to accomplish/expCHAPTERS 4 AND 5
1. What does Ralph refuse to admit and what is the significance of this decision?
How does this affect the other boys and Ralph’s interactions with them? What shift and
alliance does this create?
2. What is the significance of Jack refusing to give Piggy meat? Hint: It is not
about Jack and Piggy’s relationship. At whom is Jack really mad? What has caused his
anger? In what manner can and does Jack get revenge?
3. Explain the paradox of the boys’ attitude toward the beast. Define paradox. In
what way do they approve of the beast and in what way does the beast scare them?
4. Define: symbol *No quote needed
5. Explain how Golding uses each of the following as symbols; what does each
symbolize? *Need quote for each
a. the conch
b. the spectacles
c. Jack’s painted face/ the masks
CHAPTERS 6-7
1 What lands on the island and why is this ironic? Define irony. What does the
“thing” represent? From where does it come and why was it near the island? How does
this relate to Ralph and Piggy’s wish?
2. What is the result of Robert partaking in the hunt? What does he physically do?
How does he feel following his actions? What do his feelings reveal about Ralph and
people in general?
CHAPTER 8
1. What does Jack tell his new tribe and how do the boys react to this? How does
he lure them to join him? Explain how Jack’s statements relate to and affect the boys’
fears.
2. Explain the significance of why the killing of the sow is conveyed in such
detail. What does the killing mean has happened to the boys? What do they do
following the death? How do the boys react to and feel following the death of the sow?
3. Describe the scene when the Lord of the Flies speaks to Simon. What does the
Lord of the Flies say? What is really happening? What is the Lord of the Flies and who
is the Lord of the Flies? What does this conversation prove? Who is proven to be
correct based on the interaction?
CHAPTERS 9-10
1. How does Jack plan to be a leader without the conch? What kind of person is
Jack? How does he treat others? Why does Jack not like the conch?
2. What is the significance of Ralph and Piggy joining the dance? Why do they do
this? What is the environment like in this scene? Why is the environment important?
What is the irony in of their actions?
3. What is the significance of the chapter title ‘The Shell and the Glasses”? What
do each of these things represent? What occurs with these items in the chapter?
CHAPTER 11
1. Describe the reaction of Jack’s tribe to Ralph's talk of rescue. What does their
reaction mean has happened to them while on the island? What is their focus at this
point?
2. Describe the scene and what happens when Piggy holds up the conch and
tries to talk. What is he trying to accomplish? What is Jack’s reaction? What
foreshadowed this scene?
3. What is the significance of Roger shoving his way past Jack? What does this
foreshadow?
CHAPTER 12
1. How does Ralph react when he finds out Jack’s plan for him? How does he find
out? What is Jack’s plan? What does Ralph’s reaction say about his character?
2. What is the significance of how Golding describes Ralph’s movement across
the island? What does Golding compare him to? How does he describe Ralph?
3. What is the significance of Percival not being able to remember his name and
address?
4. What is the irony of the implication at the end of the novel?