Book Knowledge
Sam and Eric tell the boys they saw a "beast," but what did they really see?
A dead man in a parachute.
What represents authority, power, and order?
Conch shell.
What makes the boys revert to an inferior state of life?
Savagery and fear.
Who says this: “‘Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s a no go? Why things are what they are?’”
The Lord of the Flies.
What do Ralph and Jack struggle over? Use the word hierarchy in your answer.
Ralph and Jack struggle for position as leader of the boys on top of the hierarchy. Jack challenges Ralph’s authority many times by showing that Ralph is not brave enough to continue their hunt for the beast.
What did Ralph see on the mountaintop and how did he describe it?
He saw the dead man in the parachute.
What represents hope and salvation, but also destruction?
Fire.
The novel suggests the defects of society can be traced back to what?
Human nature (tendency to sin).
Who says this: “The conch doesn’t count on the top of the mountain, so you shut up!”
Jack.
Correct the citation: "Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy." (William Golding Page #202).
"Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy" (Golding 202).
What happens to Simon when he returns to the group?
They kill him during their ritual hunting dance because they think he is the "Beast," and he falls off the cliff.
Who is the Lord of the Flies literally and figuratively?
Literally, the head of a pig. Figuratively, the Devil.
According to the novel, what is man's natural state?
Cruel and savage (animalistic).
Who says this: “I should have thought that a pack of British boys... would have been able to put up a better show than that.”
The Naval Officer.
What does Simon believe about the "Beast" and about mankind?
Simon believes the "Beast" is really the evil everyone has within them. Mankind is easily manipulated by fear and causes them to act savage.
What 2 events impacted the kids the most? (Hint: one is early in the book, the other is later)
1) Missing the boat 2) Deaths (Simon and Piggy).
What represent reason and science?
Glasses/Specs.
What does Golding constantly compare the boys to and why?
Animals to illustrate their savage/animalistic nature.
Who says this: “What I mean is… maybe it’s only us.
Simon.
How does the concept of herd mentality help the reader to understand the boy’s behavior during the ritual dance?
The boys’ fear of the "Beast" causes them to go along with the actions of the group, including murdering Simon.
The “Beast” is interpreted in many ways. Name at least 3 examples of who the beast is?
The “Beast” is interpreted as the dead pilot, fear, Simon, the Devil/Pig head
What represents the Garden of Eden?
The Island.
How does being on an isolated island contribute to the theme of civilization vs. savagery? What does it force the boys to do? (Hint: early in the novel)
Being on an isolated island forces the boys to form a civilization/society where someone must be a leader and have rules.
Who does this quote refer to: "Memory of the dance that none of them had attended shook all four boys convulsively."
Ralph, Piggy, and Sam and Eric.
Name at least 3 biblical allusions/symbols from the book.
Original Sin, Jesus Christ/Crown of Thorns, Purgatory, Garden of Eden, Snake.