Setting
The location of the signal fire and the dead parachutist.
What is up the mountain?
"Bollocks to the rules!"
Who is Jack Merridew (to Ralph in chapter 5)?
"What I mean is... maybe it's...
only us." - Simon
The conch symbolises this.
What is power, authority, democratic rule, the rituals and rule of law?
Golding's thoughts about human nature.
What is thinking that all humans are capable of hatred and brutality if given the chance, or if we give in to fear or are manipulated into it by others?
The peaceful location where Simon goes to be alone, and where the sow's head is eventually mounted.
What is Simon's glade?
"If a ship comes near the island they may not notice us... We must make a fire."
Who is Ralph?
“We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English...
and the English are best at everything." - Jack Merridew
The signal fire symbolises the boys' wish to leave the island and return to civilisation by...
What is acting barometer/measure/litmus test? When the fire is managed, the boys want to leave. When it is out of control, out, or being used only to dance around, the boys lean towards savagery.
The reason for setting the novel in a fictitious nuclear war.
What is reflecting the fears of the time - that nuclear bombs would be used more and more after the bombings that ended WWII? That humans remain savage as technology advances?
This part of the island is where Jack's tribe sets up. It contrast greatly to the rest of the tropical, idyllic island.
What is Castle Rock?
“Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill... You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you?... Why things are the way they are."
Who is The Lord of the Flies/The Beast in Simon's hallucination?
"The Beast was harmless and...
horrible."
The Beast/Lord of the Flies symbolises this.
What is fear, the savagery of man, violent instinct, the evil aspects of human nature that lies within everyone?
Golding's thoughts on the Empires of his time.
What is thinking they are hypocritical, and are just as capable of the savagery that they used to portray groups they controlled?
The idyllic island, with everything the boys need are allusions to these texts.
What is the Bible (Garden of Eden), and The Coral Island?
"What are we? Humans? Or animals? or Savages?"
Who is Piggy in chapter 5, trying to convince the boys that the beast doesn't exist and that they need to get off the island?
"The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand...
white fragments and ceased to exist."
A spear/stick sharpened at both ends symbolises this.
The boys' full descent into savagery. They are committed to violence and brutality, regardless of the cost to them.
Golding's thoughts on some people being born entirely evil. Give an example.
What is thinking this is correct? Roger is a perfect example. Foreshadowing is used to show this. He throws rocks to miss, testing the boundaries to harm others, finally killing Piggy with a boulder, and getting what he wants - to hurt people for his own pleasure.
an area of the island that symbolises humans' destructive nature, the first part of the island they touched.
What is the scar?
"I'm frightened. Of us."
Who is Ralph (to Piggy, discussing Simon's murder and what their fear has made them)?
"Kill the Beast! Cut...! Spill...! Do...!
his throat
his blood
him in
Jack, Ralph, Piggy, and the Littluns all represent these parts of society.
Jack=tyrants/dictators
Ralph=charismatic, democratic leaders
Piggy=downtrodden intellectuals that hold up society
Littluns=the countless everyday people that the others must lead
The significance of the naval officer looking back at ship in embarrassment.
Golding was a naval officer in WWII. What is showing his own embarrassment and horror of what he has done, and what he has seen his fellow humans do to each other?