Lord of the Flies
Study Guide
Chapter One
1. Name and describe the first two characters we meet.
2. What do the two boys discover in their exploration? To what use do they put it?
3. Who is the elected leader?
4. How is the division of labor arranged?
5. What takes place when Jack, Ralph, and Simon find a piglet caught in the brush?
6. What differences, besides physical ones, are apparent between Ralph and Piggy?
Chapter Two
1. What rule does Ralph lie down at the first assembly?
2. What does the frightened boy tell the group, and how does it affect them?
3. What does Ralph tell the boys they must do to facilitate rescue?
4. What changes had to be made as a result of the fire?
5. Who accepted the responsibility for tending the fire?
6. What further characteristics of Piggy are revealed in this chapter?
Chapter Three
1. How successful is Jack in the second hunt?
2. Who is the only one who helps Ralph build the huts?
3. What conflict arises between Jack and Ralph?
4. Why is Jack so intent on hunting?
5. Why is Ralph so concerned about the “littluns”?
6. What is revealed about Simon in this chapter?
Chapter Four
1. Describe the activities of the “littluns”.
2. Who knocks over the sand castles?
3. What is revealed about Roger by his actions in this chapter? Why does he stop short of actually hitting Henry with the stones?
4. How do the hunters prepare for another hunt?
5. How do the boys react to Piggy? What “role” does he play?
6. Why doesn’t the passing ship realize there is someone on the island?
7. Describe the hunters’ return from the hunt.
8. How do the hunters react to Ralph’s angry tirade?
9. Describe the confrontation between Jack and Piggy.
Chapter Five
1. Why does Ralph call the meeting in this chapter?
2. What brings Ralph into closer sympathy with Piggy?
3. For what does Ralph chide the boys?
4. What are the reactions of the various boys to the “beast”?
5. Elaborate on Simon’s theory about the beast. How well does he express what he thinks, and how do the others react?
6. Cite evidence from this chapter of deterioration of democratic rule.
Chapter Six
1. What is the sign that comes from the world of grownups?
2. Why are Sam and Eric so frightened when they are tending the fire?
3. How has the significance of the conch changed?
4. Describe the confrontation that takes place between Ralph and Jack?
5. What bothers Simon? What does he want to say?
6. Why does Ralph agree to a search of the island?
7. Why does Ralph become angry with Jack and his followers?
Chapter Seven
1. What does Simon predict as he talks to Ralph? How does Ralph react?
2. Describe the hunt that takes place in this chapter.
3. How does Ralph react to the first hunt in which he participates?
4. What game do the boys play after the hunt?
5. What important question does Ralph ask Jack? What is Jack’s answer?
6. Who climbs the mountain to see the beast? How do they react?
Chapter Eight
1. Who blows the conch for the assembly? Why?
2. How do the rest of the boys react to Jack’s suggestion that Ralph be replaced as leader? How does Jack respond?
3. What does Simon say they should do? How do the others react?
4. What is done about the fire?
5. How do the boys feel about Jack’s departure?
6. What does Jack tell his band of followers?
7. How does the ensuing hunt differ from the previous ones?
8. What did the hunters do with the head of their kill? Why is it called “the lord of the flies”?
Chapter Nine
1. Where does Simon go after he leaves the “lord of the flies”?
2. Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to attend Jack’s feast?
3. What happens when jack asks Ralph’s followers to join him?
4. What tragic mistake is made in the frenzy and excitement of the dance?
5. What has been Simon’s function in the novel?
Chapter Ten
1. Who are the only “biguns” who have remained with Ralph?
2. In what way does Piggy prove himself to be superior to Ralph?
3. How does Jack handle those who disobey his wishes?
4. How does Jack explain Simon’s death to the boys who are with him?
5. Why do Jack’s boys attack Ralph’s?
Chapter Eleven
1. Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to go to Jack’s fort?
2. Do you think Piggy is fully aware of how far from “civilized behavior” Jack and his followers have degenerated?
3. How can you be sure Jack is no longer playing a game?
4. Why does Piggy feel he has a right to be heard? What happens to him?
5. Why is Piggy’s death equated with the slaughter of the pigs?
6. How does Jack react to Piggy’s death?
Chapter Twelve
1. Where does Ralph go after Piggy’s death and the twins’ capture?
2. How successful are Ralph’s attempts to rationalize what has happened?
3. Where does Ralph get his weapons?
4. How do Jack and his boys treat Sam and Eric?
5. How is Ralph’s hiding place discovered?
6. Describe Ralph’s frantic flight.
7. How is Ralph saved at the last possible moment?
8. When the naval officer looks at the boys, what does he see?
9. What are the “end of innocence” and “the darkness of man’s heart”?
10. Explain the irony of the following:
The navy cutter was attracted to the island by the fire Jack built to “smoke out” Ralph.
It is wartime, and a military ship rescues the boys.
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