CHAPTER X: THE SHELL AND THE GLASSES

1. Explain the meaning of each of the following words: sombrely, torrid, tendrils, purged.

2. What were Samneric doing in the beginning of the chapter?

3. Who else was left at the lagoon beside the four "biguns"?

4. Piggy was "gesticulating, searching for a formula" - for what?

5. What excuse did the twins offer for their absence from the dance?

What physical evidence is there to suggest that this was not true?

6. What rationalization do Ralph and Piggy arrive at concerning their role in Simon’s death?

7. Why is Piggy unable to accept Simon's death for the murder it was? What is Ralph's reaction?

8. At night, what does Ralph think of? Do you suppose Roger or Jack dream similar things?

9. What did Jack do to Wilfred? Did he offer an explanation for this? Why?

10. Why is Roger so excited about? Quote the words that suggest his sinister character.

11. What question did Bill ask the Chief? Are they happy with the answer?

12. What does Jack plan to do in order to enable his followers to have another feast?

13. How does Jack account for the death of Simon? Comment on this.

14. What sacrifice to the beast does Jack order? Why?

15. “I expect the beast disguised itself.” “Perhaps,” said the chief. A theological speculation presented itself. Why do the beast and its mention have a theological theme?

16. What excuse did Piggy make for not helping to collect firewood?

17. Why did Ralph contemplate living in a town rather than in the country?

18. What "tiny joke" did Ralph make at Piggy's expense?

19. What account did Eric give of the fight in the shelter?

20. Why will it be so difficult for Ralph’s group to keep the fire going?

21. How does Ralph suggest Piggy contact his aunt?

22. What “double function of the fire” did Ralph finally admit to? Why did he, after all this time?

23. When they hear noises outside, what do they think? How are they wrong? How are they right?

24. Who does Ralph fight during the attack? Why is that ironic? What does Ralph’s attacker do to him?

25. What did the attackers steal? What did Piggy think they were after?

26. What is the significance of the stealing of Piggy's glasses?

27. This is a chapter in which the boys begin to live by instinct, the intellectual is defeated by the savage, and the doctrine of the survival of the fittest is tested. Elaborate.

28. How does Golding subtly begin to portray Jack's group as heathen?

29. Why were the boys so scared of the war paint?

30. Why didn't Ralph want to tie his hair back?

31. Describe what happened when Ralph and Jack confront each other about Piggy's glasses?

32. Find all the references that you can to impaired sight and vision in this chapter.

33. “He was a chief now in truth.” Who was? What made this possible now?