Character Shifts
Which character begins to long for his past domestic life (clean clothes, toothbrush) in Chapter 7?
Ralph
What does the pig's head on a stick come to represent, and what is its title?
The Lord of the Flies; it symbolizes the innate human evil and decay inside all of them.
Theme: Civilization vs. Savagery. Name the moment in Chapter 7 where savagery briefly infects even the sensible boys.
The mock-hunt where the boys surround Robert and hurt him, chanting "Kill the pig!"
Describe the tone at the start of Chapter 7 as Ralph looks out at the ocean.
Despondent, helpless, and isolated; the vast ocean feels like an insurmountable barrier dividing him from home.
This item can be found where the combination H2O and sodium ions reside.
Have one of your group members verify your answer with Ms. Baker. An EHall pass will be made for one of your group members to go in search of this item at the bookstore.
How does Ralph's behavior change during his first boar hunt with Jack's group?
He gets caught up in the thrill of the hunt, throws his spear at a boar, and participates in the mob mock-hunt with Robert, showing that savagery exists inside him too.
How does the Conch's power change from Chapter 7 to Chapter 9?
Its authority erodes completely. By Chapter 9, Jack rejects the conch entirely, declaring it has no power on his end of the island.
Theme: Nature of Evil. What critical truth does the Lord of the Flies reveal to Simon during his hallucination?
That the Beast is not a physical monster living on the island, but rather something inside the boys themselves.
How does the tone shift during the thunderstorm and ritual dance in Chapter 9?
Escalates from chaotic tension to frantic, murderous hysteria.
I am very "clear" on this point. Take a pic of you and this item (must be find a person outside of the classroom and is not enrolled in my class. Only one person can leave to find it, so EHall will be just the ticket), and then upload it.
Have one of your group members verify your answer with Ms. Baker. An EHall pass will be made for one of your group members to go in search of this item at your choice: Main Office or Media Center.
Describe the complete physical and psychological transformation of Jack's group in Chapter 9.
They completely shed civilization—painting their faces, operating as a ritualistic cult, and viewing Jack as an absolute idol/king.
What does the "Beast from the Air" represent to the boys, and what is it actually?
It represents fear of the unknown and human weakness; in reality, it is a dead parachutist.
Theme: Loss of Innocence. How does the violent pig hunt in Chapter 8 differ from earlier hunts?
It is driven by overt sexualized violence and cruelty, targeting a sow nursing piglets, rather than being just a hunt for food.
What visual imagery creates the eerie, solemn tone right after Simon’s death?
Serene, tragic, and celestial (the glowing water, calm sea, and quiet departure of Simon’s body).
This is us, the fear of the unknown we carry. Use props in the classroom to create it. Take a pic and upload it.
Tell Ms. Baker your answer without sharing with others.
How does Piggy’s role shift after Jack breaks away to form his own tribe?
Piggy becomes Ralph’s primary advisor and co-leader out of necessity, stepping up as the last remaining voice of clear logic and intellect.
What does Simon’s body floating out to sea symbolize at the end of Chapter 9?
It symbolizes the departure of truth, innocence, and spiritual purity from the island, surrounded by glowing sea creatures like a halo.
Theme: Mob Mentality. What psychological mechanism allows the boys to murder Simon in Chapter 9 without taking individual blame?
Deindividualization / Mob Mentality—the group identity, storm darkness, and ritual chant consume their individual moral conscience.
Contrast the atmosphere of Ralph’s camp with Jack’s camp at Castle Rock in Chapter 8.
Ralph's camp is somber, desperate, and dwindling; Jack's camp is violent, feast-driven, and totalitarian.
Find this item in which all the boys wish was on the island (send on person via EHall Pass to find their favorite one available). Hint: there is a list with Baker.
Have one of your group members verify your answer with Ms. Baker. An EHall pass will be made for one of your group members to go in search of this item at one of the following: Main office, media center, bookstore, or approved alternate choice.
Compare and contrast the evolution of Jack’s leadership style with Ralph’s across Chapters 7–9. How does Jack harness fear to consolidate absolute authority while Ralph loses control?
Jack transforms into an authoritarian dictator who uses the myth of the "Beast" to manipulate the boys through fear, protection, and meat. Ralph relies on reason, democratic order (the conch), and long-term goals (the fire), but his leadership collapses because reason cannot compete with immediate survival instincts, fear, and desire for spectacle.
Analyze the symbolic dualism of the storm in Chapter 9. How does the weather simultaneously mirror the psychological state of the boys and the moral decline of the island?
The impending storm represents nature reflecting the human tempest—building tension, moral chaos, and violent energy. When the storm breaks during Simon's murder, it symbolizes the peak of savage madness. The rain then "washes" the blood and evidence away, leaving behind a solemn, purged atmosphere.
How does Simon’s encounter with the Lord of the Flies transform the novel's central theme of evil from an external threat into an internal human dynamic?
The Lord of the Flies explicitly tells Simon, "I'm part of you." This shifts evil from an external, conquerable creature (a monster on the mountain) to an inherent part of human nature. Evil cannot be hunted with spears because it lives inside every individual.
Examine the shift in tone from the violent hysteria during Simon’s murder to the quiet aftermath as his body washes away. How does Golding use diction and sensory details to achieve this shift?
Golding contrasts harsh, visceral diction during the attack ("claws," "screamed," "bit," "tore") with gentle, poetic, and celestial diction afterward ("pearl," "silver," "sculptured," "constellations"). This shifts the tone instantly from frantic, nightmarish horror to profound, quiet mourning.
Draw the evil within ourselves on the board. Have one person from your group who you think would survive the boys descent into savagry take a pic next to the drawing. Upload it.
Tell Ms. Baker your answer without sharing with others.