Key Moments
What is the significance of the conch shell?
It calls the assemblies and whoever holds it can speak/has power.
Who found out the fire had gone out on the mountain and who let it go out? Why was this moment significant?
Ralph found that the fire went out, Jack let it go out to hunt, and it ruined their chance of being rescued by a passing ship.
What early hints suggest that life on the island may not be peaceful?
The boy with the birth mark says he saw a beastie and then disappeared that night.
Where is he from?
England
How does Ralph react when he sees that the ship has passed?
He feels defeated and goes to find Jack
Why are the shelters important to Ralph but not Jack?
Jack is fixated on hunting, whereas Ralph is still trying to get rescued
What animal do the boys think the beastie might be?
A snake
Which two key life experiences influenced Golding's creation of this novel?
High school teacher and soldier in WWII
How and why was Ralph chosen as chief instead of Jack in chapter 1?
Ralph was chosen by election as chief because of his calmer demeanor and how he blew the conch, making him appear to be the leader already. Jack was seen as too aggressive and chaotic to be leader.
Why is Piggy still nice to Ralph even though Ralph calls him Piggy when he asked him not to?
Piggy wants to be a part of the in-group very badly and is willing to ignore the bullying if it means eventually he can be friends with/accepted by the other boys
How did the boys end up on the island?
Their plane was shot down in a mysterious world-wide nuclear war.
What are three key themes Golding exemplifies in his novel?
Violence, civility, and society
How does war paint change the way Jack sees himself?
He goes from a more or less civil boy to a hunter that is savage and violent
What does Ralph represent vs what does Jack represent vs what does Piggy represent?
Ralph: Leadership
Jack: Savagery
Piggy: Logic
How is Golding setting up a juxtaposition by making the island at first appear perfect and idyllic?
It gives the boys and the readers a false sense of hope and security for when we realize the island has a darkness to it that comes out in the boys as well
How is Golding's experience in war portrayed through the psychology of the boys in the novel?
Devolving into chaos as soon as societal rules and boundaries fall away + no adult supervision
How does fear influence characters' decision making?
answers will vary
Why does Roger throw stones at Henry but miss on purpose?
A piece of normal societal rules and expectations stop him from willingly hurting the child even though there would not be any consequences on the island
How do the boys' imaginations contribute to fear of the beastie?
answers will vary
What social commentary is Golding making about human nature?
We are much more primal and capable of violence than we pretend we are