Characters
A pair of twins closely allied with Ralph. Are always together, and the other boys often treat them as a single person. At the end of the novel, they fall to Jack’s manipulation.
Samneric
Why is Ralph elected chief?
Because of his age, looks, and the conch
I got the conch!
Piggy
Represents authority, power, and order
Conch
What makes the boys go back to an worse state of life?
Savagery and fear
The name given to the sow’s head that Jack’s gang impales on a stake in the forest as an offering to the “beast.”
Lord of the flies
What question does the littlun with the birthmark raise?
Snakes and beasties
"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."
Ralph
Represents hope and salvation, but also destruction
The fire
This theme explores the tension between civilization and savagery, as the boys struggle to maintain order on the island.
civilization vs barbarism
the younger boys who are among those marooned on the island. They are in the younger ages, about 6 to 9 years old. They have not yet transitioned into the older group which has its adventures with the older boys who become more savage as the novel goes on and Jack leads them
Littluns
This chapter shows the boys' first true descent into savagery as Jack and his hunters paint their faces, and Ralph struggles to maintain order. This event marks the first time the boys kill this type of animal in their attempt to hunt.
pig
"I’m not going to play any longer. Not with you."
Jack
Represent fear and evil
The beast/ Lord of the flies
This theme shows how the boys fall into chaos by abandoning rules and giving in to their basic instincts.
breakdown of civilization
A bigun who becomes one of Jack's key supporters, accompanying him on the raids on Ralph's camp.
Maurice
Simon is killed in a frenzy by the boys, who mistake him for the beast. Where is his body found after his death?
The beach
"Maybe there is a beast... maybe it's only us."
Simon
Represent reason and science
Glasses/Piggy
According to the novel, what is man's natural state?
Cruel and savage
A littlun who has a nervous breakdown and is often picked on by the other littluns. He introduces the idea that the beast might arrive from the sea
Percival
In this chapter, Ralph and Piggy attempt to reason with Jack after the brutal murder of Piggy’s glasses. This item, symbolizing reason and civilization, is destroyed during the confrontation.
The conch
"I‒I don't like to go among them,"
Percival
Represents Garden of Eden
The Island
What does Golding constantly compare the boys to and why?
animals--to illustrate their savage/animalistic nature