Plot Summary (last two questions worth 300)
True or False
Piggy was killed by Jack, who pushed a boulder, killing him.
False
True or False
Ralph is elected to be the chief because of his appearance as a "fair boy."
False
True or False
The title of the book, Lord of the Flies, is an allusion to Beelzebub
True
True or False
Glasses symbolize the ability to see and understand things clearly.
True
True or False
Golding suggests that humanity is innately evil.
True
Who can interrupt someone speaking while holding the conch?
Ralph
Why do the older boys look down on the littluns? Provide an example.
Possible Answers:
Since the littluns are younger, they do not have the mental capacity to help others think through problems.
The littluns also do not have strong physical capabilities like the older boys to help hunt or build huts.
They require a lot of attention due to their fears about the beast.
What is dramatic irony? Provide an example of dramatic irony in the novel to support your answer.
Dramatic irony is when the readers know something the characters do not.
Possible example:
In the novel, Sam and Eric believed they had seen the beast. However, the readers know that the "beast" is actually a dead pilot.
Who or what does Roger represent in our society? Explain why.
Possible Answer:
In the novel, Roger willingly tortures the twins to betray Ralph. Most people would never take on this job; however, psychopaths like Roger are willing to do these jobs. Psychopaths have no empathy, even when torturing someone like Roger.
What is one tool or device that Golding uses to support his argument that humanity is innately evil?
Possible Answer:
Characters: Piggy, a twelve-year-old kid, has been bullied his entire life. Piggy is picked on by characters such as Jack throughout the novel, demonstrating humanity's savage nature.
Who first introduced the idea of a beast on the island?
The boy with the birthmark was the first person to mention the idea of a beast on the island.
What physical weaknesses does Piggy have? List at least two.
Possible Answer:
Poor vision
Asthma, which makes him unable to perform most physical activities (like running and swimming)
List two examples of how Simon’s death is foreshadowed in the novel.
Possible Answer:
The conversation with the Beast/Lord of the Flies foreshadows that the other boys will do Simon.
When Simon is comforting Ralph, he states that Ralph will return home safely, not including himself also returning safely.
How does the employment of the symbol of fire change throughout the novel?
At the beginning of the novel, the boys treasured fire because it gave them hope of being rescued. However, the boys gradually lose interest in being rescued as the novel progresses. Despite Ralph's constant reminders about the importance of fire, the others are more focused on having fun. At the end of the story, the boys use it to destroy the forest and find Ralph. Ironically, by using it for destruction, they are able to be rescued.
Provide an example of the theme of the importance of wisdom and knowledge in Lord of the Flies.
Since the boys are stranded on an island with no adults, education is essential for survival. The boys could not be rescued if they did not know Piggy's specs can create fires. Their education enables them to signal their existence on the island and, get rescued at the end of the novel.
Why does Jack paint his face at the beginning of the novel?
Jack paints his face at the beginning of the novel to camouflage with the environment, making it easier to hunt pigs.
List two examples of how Golding portrays Simon’s character as parallel to Jesus.
Possible Answers:
He gathers fruits for the children
Golding uses light imagery to describe Simon’s death
Explain how Simon and Roger are foils.
Simon and Roger are both silent characters, but their actions depict their differences. Simon is inclined to help others, like when he gathered fruits for the littluns. In contrast, Roger is inclined to use violence, like throwing rocks at Henry. Simon exemplifies the good within humanity, while Roger illustrates the nature of evil in humankind.
Describe the evolution of the conch (from beginning to end), and how is this significant to the boys?
At the beginning of the novel, the conch is a lovely pink color. Gradually, the conch loses its color, exemplifying how civilization is becoming less important to the boys. At the end of the novel, Roger kills Piggy, destroying the conch as well. The destruction of the conch depicts how the boys no longer value the democracy and civilization that the conch brought.
What theme is illustrated in all of Jack's attempts to try to kill a pig successfully?
Throughout the narrative, Jack tries and fails to slaughter a pig. Jack was unable to kill the pig when he was still civilized. When he successfully kills a pig, it demonstrates how his character has lost his innocence and is unafraid to use violence.
Who is the first boy to die and how does he die?
The boy with the birthmark was the first person to die. It is suggested in the novel that he was killed by a fire that was created by the boys.
What is significant about Percival forgetting his identity at the end of the novel?
Percival being unable to recite his name and address illustrates his abandonment of identity and civilization and his character's loss of innocence.
The beast is described as "snake-like" by the littluns. What does this allusion to the Garden of Eden foreshadow?
HINT: The snake deceived Eve to eat from the forbidden tree.
Golding’s incorporation of a snake-like beast alludes to Satan’s transformation into a serpent in the Garden of Eden, implying the boys are at risk for danger or an unpleasant experience.
Roger uses rocks throughout the novel. What does this symbol illustrate about his character's development from the beginning to the end of the novel?
When Roger first throws rocks at Henry, he aims to miss. By purposefully missing, this demonstrates how Roger is still civilized and has not fully ascended to being a savage. However, at the end of the novel, Roger pushes a lever, which releases a rock that could have killed both Piggy and Ralph. Despite the rock only killing Piggy, Roger’s employment of rocks exemplifies his character becoming more savage and losing innocence compared to the beginning of the novel.
What characters does Golding use to exemplify the theme of civilization vs. savagery? Provide an example from the novel to support your answer.
Golding utilizes Ralph and Jack to exemplify the theme of civilization vs. savagery.
Possible Example:
Ralph continuously argues in the novel about the significance of being rescued and sustaining civilization. However, Jack considers hunting to be more important than Ralph's views. Their discussions embody the concept of civilization vs. savagery, since their views are fundamentally opposed.