Lord of the Flies: Review Questions

Chapter One

1. Question: Name and describe the first two characters we meet.
   Answer: Ralph is athletic, confident, and a natural leader. Piggy is overweight, intelligent, and physically weak, with glasses. He represents logic and reason but is socially awkward.

2. Question: What do the two boys discover in their exploration? To what use do they put it?
   Answer: They find a conch shell, which they use to summon the other boys, establishing it as a symbol of authority and order.

3. Question: Who is the elected leader?
   Answer: Ralph is elected leader by the boys due to his charisma and leadership presence.

4. Question: How is the division of labor arranged?
   Answer: Ralph is responsible for leadership and shelters, while Jack is in charge of hunting for food.

5. Question: What takes place when Jack, Ralph, and Simon find a piglet caught in the brush? What effect does the encounter have on Jack?
   Answer: Jack hesitates to kill the piglet, which frustrates him and starts his obsession with proving his hunting skills.

6. Question: What differences, besides physical ones, are apparent between Ralph and Piggy?
   Answer: Ralph is more action-oriented, while Piggy is logical and thoughtful. Ralph is more socially accepted, and Piggy is often ridiculed.

Chapter Two

1. Question: What rule does Ralph lay down at the first assembly?
   Answer: Whoever holds the conch has the right to speak, promoting order and democracy.

2. Question: What does the frightened boy tell the group, and how does it affect them?
   Answer: The boy mentions a "beastie," sparking fear and paranoia among the group.

3. Question: What does Ralph tell the boys they must do to facilitate rescue?
   Answer: Ralph emphasizes keeping a signal fire burning to attract rescuers.

4. Question: What changes had to be made as a result of the fire?
   Answer: The fire gets out of control, leading the boys to realize they must be more careful with it.

5. Question: Who accepted the responsibility for tending the fire?
   Answer: Jack and the hunters are responsible for keeping the fire going.

6. Question: What further characteristics of Piggy are revealed in this chapter?
   Answer: Piggy’s logical thinking and practical nature are shown, but the boys continue to ignore his suggestions.

Chapter Three

1. Question: How successful is Jack in the second hunt?
   Answer: Jack is unsuccessful in killing a pig, fueling his obsession with hunting and proving himself.

2. Question: Who is the only one who helps Ralph build the huts?
   Answer: Simon is the only one who helps Ralph build shelters, showing his compassion and dedication.

3. Question: What conflict arises between Jack and Ralph?
   Answer: Jack wants to prioritize hunting, while Ralph is focused on shelters and rescue, leading to tension between them.

4. Question: Why is Jack so intent on hunting?
   Answer: Jack wants to prove his dominance and satisfy his primal desire to kill, which becomes an obsession.

5. Question: Why is Ralph so concerned about the “littluns”?
   Answer: Ralph feels responsible for the safety of the littluns, who are vulnerable and scared.

6. Question: What is revealed about Simon in this chapter?
   Answer: Simon is portrayed as a compassionate, introspective figure who enjoys the solitude of nature and helps others.

Chapter Four

1. Question: Describe the activities of the “littluns.”
   Answer: The littluns play and build sandcastles, largely unaware of the growing tension among the older boys.

2. Question: Who knocks over the sandcastles?
   Answer: Roger and Maurice knock over the littluns’ sandcastles, showing early signs of cruelty.

3. Question: What is revealed about Roger by his actions in this chapter? Why does he stop short of actually hitting Henry with the stones?
   Answer: Roger throws stones at Henry but stops short of hitting him because the rules of civilization still restrain him.

4. Question: How do the hunters prepare for another hunt?
   Answer: The hunters paint their faces and chant, losing their sense of identity and becoming more savage.

5. Question: How do the boys react to Piggy? What “role” does he play?
   Answer: The boys ridicule Piggy, treating him as an outsider, but he plays the role of the rational thinker.

6. Question: Why doesn’t the passing ship realize there is someone on the island?
   Answer: The signal fire goes out because Jack and the hunters neglect it to focus on hunting.

7. Question: Describe the hunters’ return from the hunt.
   Answer: The hunters return triumphantly, celebrating their kill with chants and embracing savagery.

8. Question: How do the hunters react to Ralph’s angry tirade?
   Answer: The hunters dismiss Ralph’s concerns, more focused on their success in the hunt.

9. Question: Describe the confrontation between Jack and Piggy.
   Answer: Jack punches Piggy and breaks his glasses, symbolizing the breakdown of logic and order.

Chapter Five

1. Question: Why does Ralph call the meeting in this chapter?
   Answer: Ralph calls the meeting to address the boys’ lack of discipline and focus on rescue efforts, especially keeping the fire going.

2. Question: Why brings Ralph into closer sympathy with Piggy?
   Answer: Ralph realizes Piggy is intelligent and often right, even though the other boys don’t respect him.

3. Question: For what does Ralph chide the boys?
   Answer: Ralph scolds the boys for neglecting their responsibilities, such as maintaining shelters, the fire, and basic hygiene.

4. Question: What are the reactions of the various boys to the “beast”?
   Answer: The littluns are terrified, and even the older boys begin to believe in the beast’s existence.

5. Question: Elaborate on Simon’s theory about the beast. How well does he express what he thinks, and how do the others react?
   Answer: Simon suggests the beast is within them, representing their inner savagery, but he struggles to express his thoughts, and the boys don’t take him seriously.

6. Question: Cite evidence from this chapter of deterioration of democratic rule.
   Answer: Jack defies Ralph’s authority, and the boys start ignoring the rules of the conch, leading to chaos.

Chapter Six

1. Question: What is the sign which comes down from the world of grownups?
   Answer: A dead parachutist falls onto the island, which the boys mistakenly believe is the beast.

2. Question: Why are Sam and Eric so frightened when they are tending the fire?
   Answer: They see the parachutist’s body and believe it’s the beast, causing panic.

3. Question: How has the significance of the conch changed?
   Answer: The conch’s power is weakening as the boys start ignoring its authority and turn toward savagery.

4. Question: Describe the confrontation which takes place between Ralph and Jack.
   Answer: Ralph and Jack argue about priorities, with Ralph emphasizing rescue and Jack focusing on hunting.

5. Question: What bothers Simon? What does he want to say?
   Answer: Simon wants to explain that the beast is within the boys themselves, but he struggles to communicate his thoughts.

6. Question: Why does Ralph agree to a search of the island?
   Answer: Ralph agrees to the search to reassure the boys that they can confront and defeat the beast.

Chapter Seven

1. Question: What does Simon predict as he talks to Ralph? How does Ralph react?
   Answer: Simon predicts that Ralph will survive and get home safely. Ralph is skeptical and unsure of Simon’s insight.

2. Question: Describe the hunt which takes place in this chapter.
   Answer: The boys reenact the pig hunt, using Robert as a stand-in for the pig, and the game becomes dangerously violent.

3. Question: How does Ralph react to the first hunt in which he participates?
   Answer: Ralph is excited by the thrill of the hunt but also feels disturbed by how easily he is drawn into the violence.

4. Question: What game do the boys play after the hunt?
   Answer: The boys pretend to hunt Robert, and the game escalates into real violence, showing their descent into savagery.

5. Question: What important question does Ralph ask Jack? What is Jack’s answer?
   Answer: Ralph asks Jack how they will keep the fire going if everyone goes hunting. Jack avoids answering, showing his disregard for rescue.

6. Question: Who climbs the mountain to see the beast? How do they react?
   Answer: Ralph, Jack, and Roger climb the mountain and mistake the dead parachutist for the beast, becoming terrified.

Chapter Eight

1. Question: Who blows the conch for the assembly? Why?
   Answer: Jack blows the conch to challenge Ralph’s leadership, trying to replace him as the leader.

2. Question: How do the rest of the boys react to Jack’s suggestion that Ralph be replaced as leader? How does Jack respond?
   Answer: The boys refuse to vote Ralph out, and Jack, feeling humiliated, angrily leaves to form his own tribe.

3. Question: What does Simon say they should do? How do the others react?
   Answer: Simon suggests that they should confront the beast, but the others dismiss him as crazy.

4. Question: What is done about the fire?
   Answer: The boys move the fire down to the beach because they are too scared to tend it on the mountain near the beast.

5. Question: How do the boys feel about Jack’s departure?
   Answer: Initially, the boys feel uneasy, but many eventually join Jack because of his promise of meat and fun.

6. Question: What does Jack tell his band of followers?
   Answer: Jack tells them they will hunt and offer meat to the beast to keep it satisfied.

7. Question: How does the ensuing hunt differ from the previous ones?
   Answer: The hunt is more savage, and the boys brutally kill a sow, leaving its head on a stick as an offering to the beast.

8. Question: What did the hunters do with the head of their kill? Why is it called “the lord of the flies”?
   Answer: They place the pig’s head on a stick as an offering to the beast. It’s called "the lord of the flies" because it becomes a symbol of the boys’ descent into savagery and the evil within them.

Chapter Nine

1. Question: Where does Simon go after he leaves “the lord of the flies”?
   Answer: Simon climbs the mountain and discovers that the "beast" is actually a dead parachutist.

2. Question: Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to attend Jack’s feast?
   Answer: Ralph and Piggy attend the feast to maintain some influence over the boys and because they are hungry.

3. Question: What happens when Jack asks Ralph’s followers to join him?
   Answer: Many of Ralph’s followers leave to join Jack’s tribe, tempted by the promise of meat and protection from the beast.

4. Question: What tragic mistake is made in the frenzy and excitement of the dance?
   Answer: Simon, mistaken for the beast in the chaos, is brutally beaten to death by the boys during the dance.

5. Question: What has been Simon’s function in the novel?
   Answer: Simon represents the inherent goodness and truth in humanity. He discovers the real nature of the beast but is killed before he can reveal it.

Chapter Ten

1. Question: Who are the only “biguns” who have remained with Ralph?
   Answer: Piggy, Sam, and Eric are the only biguns who stay loyal to Ralph.

2. Question: In what way does Piggy prove himself to be superior to Ralph?
   Answer: Piggy remains logical and focused on rescue, while Ralph is starting to lose hope.

3. Question: How does Jack handle those who disobey his wishes?
   Answer: Jack uses fear and violence to control his tribe, punishing anyone who disobeys him.

4. Question: How does Jack explain Simon’s death to the boys who are with him?
   Answer: Jack manipulates the boys by claiming that Simon was the beast in disguise, justifying the murder.

5. Question: Why do Jack’s boys attack Ralph’s?
   Answer: Jack’s boys attack Ralph’s group to steal Piggy’s glasses, which they need to make fire.

Chapter Eleven

1. Question: Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to go to Jack’s fort?
   Answer: They go to Jack’s fort to retrieve Piggy’s glasses, which are needed to start the signal fire.

2. Question: Do you think Piggy is fully aware of how far from “civilized behavior” Jack and his followers have degenerated?
   Answer: No, Piggy still believes in rational discussion and thinks he can reason with Jack, underestimating the group's savagery.

3. Question: How can you be sure Jack is no longer playing a game?
   Answer: Jack uses real violence, torturing Samneric and ordering Piggy’s death, showing he’s no longer playing.

4. Question: Why does Piggy feel he has a right to be heard? What happens to him?
   Answer: Piggy believes his intelligence and the need for rescue give him a right to speak, but Roger kills him by rolling a boulder, and the conch is shattered.

5. Question: Why is Piggy’s death equated with the slaughter of the pigs?
   Answer: Both deaths are brutal and show the boys’ complete loss of regard for life, whether human or animal.

6. Question: How does Jack react to Piggy’s death?
   Answer: Jack shows no remorse and immediately turns his attention to hunting Ralph, further revealing his savagery.

Chapter Twelve

1. Question: Where does Ralph go after Piggy’s death and the twins’ capture?
   Answer: Ralph hides in the jungle, trying to think of a way to survive, knowing Jack’s tribe is hunting him.

2. Question: How successful are Ralph’s attempts to rationalize what has happened?
   Answer: Ralph struggles to understand how far the boys have descended into savagery and feels hopeless about their situation.

3. Question: Where does Ralph get his weapons?
   Answer: Ralph grabs a spear from the remains of the Lord of the Flies, symbolizing his desperation and need to fight back.

4. Question: How are Sam and Eric treated by Jack and his boys?
   Answer: Samneric are tortured and forced to join Jack’s tribe, eventually revealing Ralph’s hiding place under duress.

5. Question: How is Ralph’s hiding place discovered?
   Answer: Samneric, after being tortured, reveal Ralph’s hiding place to Jack’s tribe.

6. Question: Describe Ralph’s frantic flight.
   Answer: Ralph is chased through the jungle by Jack’s tribe, who set the forest on fire to flush him out. He narrowly escapes multiple times.

7. Question: How is Ralph saved at the last possible moment?
   Answer: Ralph stumbles onto the beach, where he is met by a naval officer who is shocked at the boys’ descent into savagery, rescuing them.

8. Question: When the naval officer looks at the boys, what does he see?
   Answer: The officer sees dirty, savage boys and is shocked that English children could lose their civilization so quickly.

9. Question: What are “the end of innocence” and “the darkness of man’s heart”?
   Answer: Ralph realizes that the boys, and humanity in general, are capable of great evil. This is the end of their innocence and a glimpse into humanity’s inherent darkness.

10. Question: Explain the irony of the following:

    • The navy cutter was attracted to the island by the fire Jack built to “smoke out” Ralph.
      Answer: Jack’s fire, meant to kill Ralph, ironically ends up saving them, as it attracts the naval ship.

    • It is wartime, and the boys are rescued by a military ship.
      Answer: The boys are rescued from their own "war" by soldiers engaged in a much larger conflict, highlighting the pervasive nature of violence.