Characters
This character is the leader of the choirboys and becomes the chief of the hunters.
Who is Jack?
The boys’ fear of the unknown manifests in this imaginary creature.
What is the beast?
This object is a symbol of authority and order, allowing the boys to speak in turn.
What is the conch shell?
The boys’ plane crashes during this global conflict, isolating them from adult society.
What is World War II?
This character says, “Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us,” realizing the true source of the boys’ fear.
Who is Simon?
This character represents civilization and order, holding the conch for most meetings.
Who is Ralph?
This theme explores the conflict between two of the human instincts.
What is the struggle between civilization and savagery?
This character’s glasses are used to start a fire and symbolize this.
What is knowledge or technology?
The first major conflict among the boys arises over this issue.
What is the need to keep the signal fire burning?
This character reflects the collapse of civilization when reflecting “The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away.”
Who is Ralph?
This character is a symbol of innocence and spirituality and has a mysterious connection with "the beast."
Who is Simon?
The breakdown of the boys’ society reveals this theme about human nature.
What is the inherent darkness of humanity?
The title Lord of the Flies is derived from this biblical figure, symbolizing the devil or evil.
Who is Beelzebub?
This discovery terrifies the boys and solidifies their belief in the beast.
What is the dead parachutist?
This character asks, “Which is better—to have laws and agree, or to hunt and kill?” as he tries to understand the conflict between civilization and savagery.
Who is Piggy?
This character is often ignored or bullied by the group, symbolizing the scapegoat in society.
Who is Piggy?
The novel explores the loss of this concept, which refers to moral purity.
What is innocence?
The face paint the boys wear symbolizes this transformation.
What is the descent into savagery?
This act of violence finally marks the point of no return for the boys' descent into savagery.
What is Piggy’s murder?
Who is the Naval Officer?
This boy becomes increasingly violent, culminating in his deliberate murder of Piggy.
Who is Roger?
The novel critiques this societal structure, which relies on rules and authority to function.
What is civilization?
This natural setting on the island represents isolation, danger, and ultimately death.
What is Castle Rock?
The arrival of this group signifies the return to civilization but also highlights the irony of the boys' plight.
Who are the naval officers?
“The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist,” signals the end of this symbol.
What is the symbol of authority or democracy?