The rhythm of life is a very almost animal like attitude, they are irresponsible mainly because they let out the fire twice and they only care about hunting and killing things instead of getting shelter.

2. What effects did the different parts of the day have on the island?

The different parts of the day show the day which is like when they get some stuff done and then at night everyone turns savage and everything goes to chaos.

3. Describe the new characters found in chapter four:

A. The littluns— The are the younger boys that are naive,small, and the rely on the older buys protection

B. Henry— He is fair haired and part of the littluns and likes animals and the little things in life.

C. Roger— He said the phrase “It’s only a problem if you get caught and he showed this by the way he tested the waters every chance he got.

4. What incident shows that Roger is still affected and still held by the learned rules of society?

The incident that shows Roger is clearly still affected by the rules is when he throws rocks at Henry but misses on purpose.

5. Why does Jack paint his face? How does the paint transform him? What does this symbolize?

Jack paints his face to show that he is the one who killed the pig, and it’s like a prideful symbol and like bragging meaning.

6. What symbolic meaning does the fire have?

The fire symbolizes two sides, one is destruction and the other is a symbol of hope.

7. What was Piggy’s idea? How was it received?

Piggy’s idea was that they should make a sundial and Ralph doesn’t respond and rolls his eyes and walks away.

8. Identify the problem with arose between Ralph and Jack.

The problem between them was that Jack was supposed to watch the fire but instead was hunting, which Ralph told him not to do and they get into a heated discussion over it.

9. What two worlds does the narrator say that Jack and Ralph depict?

The narrator says they depict “two different continents of experience or feeling.”

10. Explain Jack’s change toward Piggy.

Jack used to be kind to Piggy but now he is cruel and wishes physical harm on him.

11. Explain the importance of the following statements;

1. P.58 “The first rhythm...perhaps even sleeping.”

The significance of this is that it shows how they are starting to drift away from humanity and become more insane, this foreshadows the downfall of civilization.

2. P.62 “Here, invisible, yet strong, was the taboo of the old life.”

It shows how they once were peaceful and longed to create useful things and says how that is old and no longer what they are.

3. P.68 “Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.”

This phrase symbolizes what keeps being repeated by the boys on the island and how they are getting further away from humanity and closet to savagery.

4. P. 74 “Jack looked round for understanding, but only found respect.”

The significance of this is how Jack has influence to have people follow him and he has authority.

1. Identify the major conflict of the novel. The boys each want to do separate things on the Island and there is no respect for one another because everyone is a kid not an adult so they are equal.

2. What theme is Golding developing in the opening paragraph of Chapter Five? The boys are realizing they are stranded here and no one is coming for them.

3. Summarize Ralph’s thoughts as he prepared for the assembly. He tries to think positively about his childhood but realizes this meeting cannot be a fun one and they need to get down to business.

4. What was different about this particular meeting? Why (or how) would that later be a

Factor? This particular meeting will not be fun and instead it will be serious. It would later be a factor because the boys dont want to get serious; they just want to play and have fun.

5. Analyze Ralph’s speech to the group. He tells them that they need to cut out the funny business. The shelters aren't being built and the fire hasn't been kept watch over. The boys are trashing the island and enough is enough they need to take orders.

6. What were the various reactions? They laughed out of excitement, humor, and fear. The boys didnt know how to take it, especially the few that cried and Jack who didn’t like what he saw.

7. What was Phil’s dream? Phil's dream was that stringy things were like choking him in his sleep. He was being attacked by a creature.

8. What theme does the discussion of fear introduce? The beast on the island. Piggy says that we could just be afraid of ourselves and that we are going crazy.

9. Since Lord of the Flies is allegorical in nature, interpret what the beast may signify in

a religious reading, and in a psychological reading. It may signify insanity. The boys are going so insanely out of control that they are seeing illusions like the beats that are running around.

10. What is the final straw in Ralph and Jack’s relationship? When Ralph starts agreeing with Piggy and connects with the rest of the boys. Jack doesn't like this because he is losing control and leadership over the boys and Piggy starts to have a bigger say than him.

11. What prevents Ralph from blowing the conch to bring the meeting back to order? He says it's no use basically because the boys are turning into animals whatever they do they won’t listen because Ralph isn’t an adult.

12. What are Piggy and Simon adamant about Ralph’s not giving up leadership? If Ralph gives it up then Jack will take over and Jack will get rid of what he doesn't like so he might try to hurt Simon and Piggy because they threaten his power as a bigun.

13. Describe the settings and importance of the following lines from chapter five:

a. P. 78 “Ralph was a specialist in thought now, and could recognize thought in

another.” This line is important because the sun reminds Ralph of when he first took the conch down from the tree. At that moment his role was to be a leader and chief.

b. P. 86 “Tormented by the silence and the refusal the assembly broke into a

chant. What’s your name? What’s your name?” When Percival cries when asked about his name the boys don’t take it lightly they scream at him aggressively trying to figure out his name.

c. P.89 “Simon became inarticulate in his effort to express man’s essential illness.

Inspiration came to him.” This line shows Simon's effectiveness on the Island. He is smart and seems to know the nature of the beast well.

d. P. 92 “If I blow the conch…never be rescued.” If Ralph blew the conch then there would be no sign of rescue for the boys on the island.

e. P. 94 “A thin wail…to help him.” This line shows that the boy's fear has taken them over and the energy and fun on the island once expressed is being taken away by the thought of fear and death.

Chapter Six—Beast from Air

1. What was the “world of the grownups”?

The world of grownups is about war and rescue and how they are dropping bombs.

2. Describe the “sign” that came from there.

The sign was a dead person on a parachute.

3. How are the twins shown to be so alike throughout this chapter?

They are shown to be alike from their character and the way they speak

4. How much time passes from page 95 – 100? How does the author let you

know that?

There were a couple hours that passed in that time and the author lets us know from the environment that continues to change.

5. Contrast the various emotions upon the news of the “Beast”.

Ralph feels pressured to be a better leader but when he does this Jack sees a challenge and a test of his leadership.

6. What would Piggy’s job be? Why?

Piggy’s job doesn’t have a name but it’s very important because he helps Ralph through his smart and strong ideas and keeps Ralph from going insane in the meantime.

7. Identify those who go on the hunt.

Jack, Ralph, and the other boys go on the hunt.

8. What more do we learn of the island from pages 104 –108?

We learn that there is more diverse terrain and that there are different types of vegetation and it’s very rugged.

9. How do Ralph and Jack act toward each other at various stages of chapter

Six?

They act civilized to each other and they they act like they have a huge rivalry.

10. Give details of the new area of the island the boys found.

It’s rugged and rocky and it looks like a fortress or a base.

11. What did some of the boys want to do at this point?

They wanted to make a new base to settle and get used to the island for living.

12. Contrast the good and bad points about this part of the island.

For good points it's a difference in the way of life on the island and the boys feel good about it currently. For the bad part is that it serves as a symbol of isolation and power to others. It is also hard for the boys to get too.

Chapter Seven—Shadows and Tall Trees

1. What thoughts were going through Ralph’s mind?

Ralph was thinking about how it would be at home and then looks at the deep sea and just thinks about how far it is and how hard it will be to get home.

2. Describe the conversation between Ralph and Simon.

The conversation between Ralph and Simon was Simon trying to tell Ralph that it’s gonna be alright and he will make it home safely. He was comforting him to make him feel better.

3. As Ralph is thinking about home, what suddenly gets him out of those

thoughts?

The bushes crashing down and the boys running away from the boar.

4. What is significant about Ralph’s response to his encounter with the boar?

The significance of Ralph's encounter with the boar is that he was able to stay calm enough to take aim at the boar and kill it, this shows that he is good under pressure.

5. Why is it especially horrific and savage when Robert says, “You want a real

pig…because you’ve got to kill him,” and Jack replies, “Use a littlun?”

This saying is horrific because Jack is literally talking about killing a little kid for food. When this is said it shows the savagery that especially Jack has gotten and how he is almost delusional.

6. How does the boys’ playfulness turn violent? What does this say?

The boy's playfulness goes violent because of the savagery they have. Slowly their playfulness turns into a violent look like a fight to the death. This shows that the boys have slowly gotten savage on the island.

7. Why did Ralph ask Jack, “Why do you hate me?”

He asked that because Jack was being passive aggressive and kept saying bad things about him and Ralph asked why because he thought it was hurting the group of boys to see hate in leadership.

8. Comment on: “I’m going up the mountain to look for the beast now. Then the

supreme sting, the casual, bitter word, “Coming?”

I think this means that no one was ready to go and the word that mentioned it was one that was a word that people were almost scared of.

9. What is meant by the phrase, “A stain in the darkness, a stain that was Jack,

detached itself and began to draw away”?

The stain is Jack and he is detaching himself away from the group of boys into the darkness.

10. What was on the top of the mountain, moving sideways?

The green lights were opening and growing on the top of the mountain moving sideways.

11. What had caused its varied movements?

The swaying of the tree when the wind hits it.

Chapter Eight—Gift for the Darkness

1. What effect did the weather have throughout this chapter?

The weather told us that things on the island are getting worse and worse as the group fell apart and is stealing. The weather just shows the progression of this as it is also getting worse.

2. Give examples to show how Jack and Ralph are falling farther apart.

An example that shows how Jack and Ralph are falling apart is when the littluns talk about Jack and Piggy and Ralph looks at them as if that name was not to be spoken. Also in the beginning of the chapter Jack was trying to become chief by telling the others to vote for Ralph to not be chief anymore. This shows a lot of distance and drift between the two from their different ideas.

3. How do Piggy and Simon each change in this chapter?

Simon and Piggy both change in this chapter in very different ways, Simon used to be very encouraging to Ralph and help him with mentally dealing with being a chief and now he is exploring the island and trying to figure out what the others are doing. On the other hand, Piggy has shown great development in this book as now, in this chapter he has really turned into a great leader and helped Ralph with losing half of the group of boys.

4. Describe the different details of building a new fire.

The different details of the building of the new fire was that Jack and his new group of biguns that split from the group went to castlerock which is by the mountain and Piggy didn’t think that they could get the smoke to keep going while they were there. So Piggy suggest making a fire on the beach even though it wouldn’t give as much smoke just to stay safe.

5. What changes did Jack suggest to his followers?

Jack suggests to his followers that they will go hunt and have a fire and have fun. They will kill and feast every night.

6. Point out the details of their hunt.

Some key details of the hunt is when Jack gets the spear and continues to stab the pig over and over and finally stabs the pig through the throat and it dies. While this is going on the pig is making very loud cries and screams.

7. What is the “Gift for the Darkness”?

The gift for the darkness is when the sow's head was stabbed by Jack and one end was put in the ground and the other through the head of course. This is know known as the Lord of the Flies because many flies as going to be surrounding it

8. Why is Ralph’s conversation with Piggy so important?

Piggy tells Ralph that it is best for the fire to be put on the beach because now they don’t have enough people to keep the fire going to create good smoke. This is important because the want for the others to leave the group could cost them any chance they have of being rescued.

9. What is the result of Jack’s speech to Ralph’s group?

The result of Jack’s speech to the group is that Jack says he invites anyone to go to their group and hunt and feast with them, he promises them a great and fun time with the feast if they are accepted. For Ralph this speech almost made him uneasy as he was struggling with words to say to his group after the speech.

10. The pig’s head, being surrounded by flies, has become the Lord of the Flies.

“Lord of the Flies” is an English translation of the name Beelzebub, a common

name for either Satan or one of his chief demons. What is the connection

between the beast and the skewered sow’s head?

The connection between the beast and the skewered sow's head is that both of them are symbols of fear. These symbols are shown in different ways though as the skewered beast's head is using aggression to let out fear and the beast is something everyone is trying to stay away from to not have fear.

11. What truth has Simon realized that no one else seems to comprehend?

Simon has realized that they are not going to get off the island and that the drift from the two groups is going to cause chaos and make sure they don’t get off the island.

12. Simon is the only character who does not feel morality as an artificial

imposition of society. For whom might he be a foil?

He might be a foil to Jack, Jack doesn’t see anything wrong with what he does, the only difference is that Jack takes it to the extreme and doesn’t care who he hurts. Simon is more cautious even though he does the same thing as he doesn’t seem to care what happens around him till the realization he has at the end of the chapter.

13. The act of placing the sow’s head near the forest glade filled with butterflies

and flowers highlights what theme?

The theme of placing the sow’s head by the glade of butterflies highlights the theme of a loss of innocence. This is shown by the horrific act of killing the sow and planting that symbol by a beautiful thing. This shows that they don’t care about the destruction they may cause anymore.

14. How is the decline of Jack and his followers to savagery physically

displayed?

The decline of Jack and his followers can be physically displayed by how dirty all of them are and how little clothes they have on granted. Everyone has been on the island the same amount of time but Ralph and his followers are not described as dirty and savage as Jack and his followers.

15. When Jack and the savages surprise Ralph, Piggy, and the others, Ralph run

to the fire, and Piggy runs to the conch. Interpret the symbolism.

The symbolism that these acts show are very different. When Ralph runs to protect the fire this symbolizes his hope and want and almost need to keep the only thing that symbolizes his chance to escape the island. On the other hand, Piggy protects the only thing that symbolizes order and leadership on the island. He believes that this was the most important thing to keep the order and this is his symbol of hope on the island.

16. Give interpretations of Simon’s encounter with the Lord of the Flies from an

archetypal standpoint.

Simons is very stunned right now to the point where he literally can’t move or see anything but the sow’s head. He is also hearing voices in his head that suggest that many people have said he has been wrong, especially his headmaster.

17. What has physically happened to Simon? How can you tell—provide textual

evidence.

Simon passes out and becomes unconscious I can tell because everything is dark around his and it is hard for him to move.

Chapter Nine: A View to a Death

1. Describe the atmosphere in this chapter.

The atmosphere in this chapter becomes more intense with the feeling something bad is about to happen.

2. What does Simon see on the mountain?

On the top of the mountain Simon sees the dead body of the parachutist.

3. What Biblical parallels may be drawn from Simon’s walk?

Simon's walk is similar to Jesus’ walk to his death because they both have a fate coming that will be very traumatic for them.

4. Contrast the moods of the two groups of boys.

The original group that now only consists of Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric and some littluns are focused on building a fire and keeping it lit to produce smoke. They are doing this pretty peacefully compared to Jack and his tribe. Jack’s tribe is focused on hunting and killing animals to have a feast, they have almost no rules and order and are very savage.

5. Why does Jack allow Ralph and Piggy to have meat?

Jack allows Ralph and Piggy to have meat from his hunt because he is trying to persuade them to disassemble their group and have everyone in one group.

6. What does the dance signify?

The dance signifies savagery and how it has consumed all of the boys to the point they have become evil and only care about moving forward instead of trying to get off the island.

7. What reaction does the coming of the storm cause?

The coming of the storm tells the audience that there will be a breaking point in the group to where they will be all savage. Also, the storm causes dead bodies of the parachutist and Simon to be washed out to sea.

8. Tell what happens as Simon makes it down to the beach. What does it symbolize?

When Simon makes it down to the beach he is covered in blood and dirt to the point no one can recognize him. They later kill him because they believe him to be the beast. This symbolizes and shows savagery and how the boys have completely lost innocence.

9. Why do you think the dead parachutist would be released just as Simon dies?

I think that it would happen like that to imply that they can not undo what they have done and will continue to be savage.

10. Comment on the author’s effective style as he closes out the chapter on page 154.

The author's writing style is effective because it closes out the chapter with closing with the final moments of Simon and show have fall lost they really are.

Chapter Twelve: Cry of the Hunters

1. Explain the following observation: “But really, thought Ralph, this was not Bill. This was a savage whose image refused to blend with that ancient picture of a boy in shorts and shirt.” What does Ralph mean?

Ralph realizes that the boys he once knew as friendly school kids, have now turned into complete savages. He can’t even really tell anymore that it’s them.

2. What is the significance of the simile comparing the skull of the Lord of the Flies with the conch shell?

It symbolizes this sort of movement to power and authority. Just like the conch used to hold order and power, now the skull represents chaos and savagery.

3. How does Ralph learn of Jack’s plans for him?

From Sam and Eric.

4. What does Ralph say to the twins when they refuse to help him?

Ralph says “I’m chief. I’ll go. Don’t argue”

5. Does Ralph understand why he must be killed? Explain.

No, he honestly doesn’t know why he should be killed. He does at least know he’s seen as a threat, but he doesn’t see himself as that much of a threat to be murdered.

6. What is the irony of Samneric’s behavior?

What’s ironic is these two boys first joined the tribe with civility and order. Now they have succumbed to being drawn into Jack’s tribe.

7. How does the author describe Ralph’s flight across the island?

He describes his flight across the island as a grievous and desperate journey.

8. What is the irony of the fire on the island?

The irony of the fire is that at the beginning of the book it symbolized hope and rescue. Now it’s used to completely destroy things. It’s now sort of a totem of fear.

9. In Chapter Twelve, what plot event serves as essentially a deus ex machina (a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly or abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence)?

When the naval officer shows up on the island.

10. Why is Percival unable to remember his name and address?

He’s unable to remember his name because of all the things that happened on the island.

11. Why is Piggy’s fall emphasized? What does it symbolize?

It’s emphasized because it shows how now everything on the island is going to be out of control. Piggy was seen as the person who always kept order and responsibility. It symbolizes loss of order.

12. In the microcosm on the island, what does each of these boys represent: Ralph, Piggy, Jack, Roger, and Simon?

Ralph-order and leadership, Piggy-reason and civilization, Jack-savagery and power, Roger- cruelty and loss of morals, Simon- spirituality and goodness.

13. Why does Ralph say that he is in charge on the island?

He is reminding the boys that he was once the elected leader on the island.

14. Why does Ralph weep?

He weeps because he is completely overwhelmed by everything that just happened on the island.

15. What comparison is implied at the end of the novel?

The comparison that is implied is how the same tendencies towards madness and savagery exist in both groups, big and small.

Lord of the Flies Study Guide

Know about each of the main characters and be able to match them to their

description.

Ralph- He is the fair haired boy who is named chief at the beginning of the story.

Littluns- This is the name they gave to the small children because there are so many of them.

Jack- He is the leader of the choir who was also up for the chief vote.

Samneric- a pair of twins who are loyal to Ralph almost till the end.

Simon- He is a Christ-like figure that realizes that the boys are the beastie and are savage.

Roger- He is considered pure evil and throws rocks at everyone.

Piggy- He is a fat boy who has asthma and round glasses.

The Lord of the Flies- It is the sow head that tells us that the boys are the beasts.

Know what each item symbolizes

The Conch Shell- it symbolizes order and innocence.

Piggy’s Glasses- they symbolize intelligence on the island.

The Scar- It symbolizes how man and their savage nature will destroy the island.

Adults- they symbolize maturity and growing up and becoming less savage.

The Island- It symbolizes freedom and how the boys will become savage.

The Lord of the Flies- It symbolizes the loss of innocence and how the boys are the beasts on the island.

Know major events that happened in the book.

When they first arrived- When the boys first arrived it was only Piggy and Ralph for a while talking about their lives and meeting each other, then they saw the littluns and then they met Jack and all of them named Ralph the chief.

Killing of the sow- The killing of the sow represents a loss of innocence because they kill the sow and put her head on a stick making the Lord of Flies, this shows how the boys are savage and the beasts of the island.

Fight for leadership/chief- The fight for leadership and chief was controlled by Ralph because even when Jack wanted to impeach Ralph it never worked but she slowly gained control of the group through giving the boys food.

Simon’s Death- It represents how every bit of innocence is destroyed and shows the loss of a christ-like character from the boys thinking he was the beast.

Piggy’s Death- Piggy's death occurred from Roger lifting a bolder and letting it crush him this was just the icing on the cake to destroy everything that was good on the island and also killing the order that was already gone with the couch getting destroyed with Piggy

Know what Ralph thinks is the most important vs what Jack thinks is the most

important. How does their leadership differ?

Ralph believes that being rescued is the most important thing and he shows this by trying to light a fire and making smoke to get rescued. Ralph also uses the conch as a tool to where if you have it you can talk, this shows similarities to democracy and how he listens to most people's opinions. On the other hand, Jack is completely opposite because he believes in getting food to stay alive and sees this as the most important thing so he hunts. Jack, opposite to Ralph, is almost a dictator as he has complete control and is the only one who has the right opinion.

Note