Characters
How does Ralph’s leadership style change throughout the novel?
At first, he is confident and democratic, but as the boys descend into savagery, he becomes desperate, isolated, and more instinct-driven.
"I ought to be chief… because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp."
Jack – arguing why he should be leader.
How do the boys end up on the island?
Their plane crashes during an evacuation.
What object represents civilization and order?
the conch shell
How does the boys' treatment of Piggy reflect the novel’s theme of power and hierarchy?
Piggy is intelligent but physically weak, so he is marginalized, showing how society often values strength over wisdom.
How does Jack manipulate the boys into following him?
He uses fear of the Beast, offers food and protection, and appeals to their primal instincts and desire for power.
"I tell you, I got the conch!"
Piggy – desperately insisting on order before his death.
What event marks the turning point toward savagery?
The killing of the first pig.
What does Piggy’s glasses symbolize?
Intelligence, reason, and the power to create fire
How does the destruction of the conch shell symbolize the collapse of civilization?
The conch represents order and democracy, and when it is shattered, all remnants of structure are lost.
Why is Simon’s confrontation with the Lord of the Flies significant?
It symbolizes the recognition that evil is inherent in humans, not an external force.
"They’re not as bad as that. It was an accident."
Ralph – struggling to justify Simon’s death.
How does Simon die?
The boys mistake him for the Beast and kill him in a frenzy.
What does the Lord of the Flies (the pig’s head) symbolize?
The evil within humanity
What role does mob mentality play in the novel?
The boys lose their individual morality in group settings, leading to violent acts like Simon’s death.
Why does Roger hesitate to hit the littlun with stones early in the novel, and how does this change later?
At first, he still feels the invisible restraints of civilization, but as order breaks down, he becomes a remorseless killer.
“Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!”
The Lord of the Flies, speaking to Simon.
What ironic event leads to the boys’ rescue?
The fire Jack sets to hunt Ralph is seen by a naval officer.
What does the signal fire symbolize?
Hope for rescue and connection to civilization
How does Lord of the Flies challenge the idea that humans are naturally good?
The boys start with civilized intentions, but most descend into cruelty when left without authority.
How does Piggy’s death mirror the destruction of rationality and order on the island?
His murder is deliberate and brutal, occurring just after he attempts to reason with Jack’s tribe, showing that logic and morality have been fully abandoned.
"Roger sharpened a stick at both ends."
Samneric – warning Ralph that Jack’s tribe plans to hunt him down like a pig.
How does the ending of the novel reflect its major themes?
The boys are rescued by a warship, showing that civilization itself is violent and hypocritical.
What does the Beast truly represent?
The boys’ fear and the darkness in human nature
How does the naval officer’s reaction to the boys at the end of the novel reflect the theme of irony?
He expects them to have maintained order but fails to recognize that the world of adults is also engaged in violent war.