Context
What global conflict influenced William Golding’s writing of Lord of the Flies?
World War II (1939-1945)
Which two characters are we first introduced to at the very start of LOTF?
Piggy and Ralph
How is the plane crash site initially described?
A "long scar smashed into the jungle was a bath of heat".
What genre is Lord of the Flies?
A dystopian, allegorical novel?
Golding was a teacher of English and Philosophy, but what role did he have during the war?
Golding served in the Royal Navy as a Lieutenant (naval officer in command of a landing craft) during the war, witnessing the horrors of war and humanity's capacity for violence.
Whose idea was it to pull the conch from the water and summon the boys?
Piggy! However, it was Ralph who used his initiative to get the conch and summon the boys.
Why is the mountain important to the boys in Chapter One?
It gives the boys a vantage point to confirm they are on an island and possibly look for rescue or signs of life.
What is an allegory, and how is Lord of the Flies one?
An allegory is a story with a deeper meaning beneath the surface. Lord of the Flies is an allegory about civilisation vs. savagery, good vs. evil, and how violence brings out the worst in humanity.
What role did William Golding's mother have that was considered controversial?
Which character is physically weaker but intelligent and thoughtful?
Piggy: He is overweight, wears glasses, has asthma, and is very intelligent and logical.
How does the setting affect the boys’ behaviour early in Chapter One?
The tropical island feels like a playground, leading to excitement, freedom, and a lack of discipline.
Why did Golding choose young boys as the only characters to be stranded on the island?
They are a symbol of innocence.
Boys are often seen as symbols of innocence and purity. By showing them descend into violence and chaos, Golding challenges the idea that evil comes from external forces like society or adults.
Children are less influenced by long-term societal rules and moral training than adults. This made them an ideal focus for Golding to experiment with what happens when civilisation is stripped away.
Which types of leadership do Ralph and Jack represent?
Ralph represents democracy (order and equality)
Jack represents dictatorship (one person controls all, chaos)
The conflict between them mirrors real-world political tensions between democratic and authoritarian ideologies.
What group arrives after the conch is blown, and who leads them?
A group of boys in choir robes arrives, led by Jack Merridew.
Why is the setting of a deserted island important?
The island isolates the boys from society, creating a controlled environment to see how the boys react and change without outside influences.
The island also shows the power of nature without restraint (for better or worse) and how the boys have to adapt to survive within it.
What does the conch shell symbolise?
The conch represents law, order, and societal authority.
How does the novel reflect concerns about human nature following World War II?
The novel suggests that savagery and the potential for evil exist within all humans, not just in isolated "monsters" like Hitler. It shows how quickly order can collapse without societal rules.
How does Simon differ from the other choirboys?
Simon is quiet, kind, and physically weaker than the others; he faints from heat, hinting at his sensitivity.
What is the significance of the conch being found in a lagoon?
The lagoon is a calm, safe space where order begins, and the conch found there becomes a symbol of civilisation.
What is the significance of the failed pig hunt at the end of Chapter One?
Jack hesitates to kill the pig, showing he still has a sense of civilisation and guilt; however, it leaves the reader wondering what might happen the next time the boys are faced with a similar choice.