Lord of the Flies Study Guide Questions
Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell
1. What do we learn about world events in Ch 1 that leads to the boys being on the island?
2. Describe how they set up their society? Who is in charge of what?
3. Why is Ralph chosen as leader?
4. What problems can you predict based on this choice?
5. Describe how Jack reacts to his inability to kill the pig. What does this reveal about him?
Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain
6. Contrast how Ralph addresses the beastie with the way Jack does (36). Explain which approach will appeal most to the littluns and why.
7. What is the practical purpose of the conch shell? In what ways does it symbolize order and civility on the island?
8. What do the boys use to light the fire? How can this be symbolic?
9. Examine Jack’s behavior toward Piggy. Why does he treat Piggy with such disdain?
10. What tragic event happens during the fire? What does this suggest about the maturity of the boys at this point?
Chapter 3: Huts on the Beach
11. What task is most important to Jack and what is most important to Ralph? Describe how this emphasis on different tasks conveys elements of their personality.
12. How do Jack and Ralph settle their differences on priorities?
13. The chapter ends with a lengthy description of Simon. What does Simon do? What kind of kid is he?
Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair
14. Golding writes how the boys “grew accustomed to these mysteries [like mirages] and ignored them, just as they ignored the miraculous, throbbing stars”(58). What does this suggest about their stay on the island?
15. What does Roger do to Henry on the beach?(62). Comment on his moral development at this point.
16. Why is Simon afraid as Ralph encounters Jack after Jack’s crew has killed a pig? (68).
17. Describe how the hunters have changed in this chapter.
Chapter 5: Beast from Water
18. What are Ralph’s main points in his important speech at the assembly? (79).
19. Ralph says, “We’ve got to talk about this fear and decide there’s nothing in it” (82). What suggestions would you give Ralph for how to assuage the boys’ fear?
20. What does Ralph wish for at the end of the chapter?
21. What does Simon suggest the beast may be? (89). Articulate for Simon how he may be correct.
Chapter 6: Beast from Air
22. What falls on the island that was “a sign from the world of grownups”(95)? Explain what this sign means. What might it symbolize?
23. How does Jack assert more control and authority in this chapter? (102). Cite specific instances to support your answer.
24. What does Roger and the other boys want to do at the end of the chapter? (108). What does this suggest about them?
Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees
25. What does Simon tell Ralph about Ralph’s fate? (111). Does this assertion have any merits? Explain how Simon might know this.
26. What does Ralph do that he views as an accomplishment? (113). How is this out of character for him?
27. Describe what leads to the tense conversation between Ralph and Jack (118). What is at stake in this confrontation?
28. Predict how observing “the beast” will affect their stay on the island.
Chapter 8: Gift for the Darkness
29. Jack tells the assembly, ”We couldn’t kill [the beast]. . .and. . . Ralph said my hunters are no good’”(126). Explain what Jack is doing to gain power. What are his intentions?
30. Why is Jack crying as he departs the assembly and dashes into the forest? (127).
31. What does Simon suggest the boys do about the beast? (128). Explain the wisdom in this advice. What is the message about the beast that he is unable to convey because of his shyness?
32. List specific words and phrases Golding uses to compare the killing of the sow with a brutal rape (135). What is the effect of this description? What does it suggest about the boys?
33. Paraphrase the conversation Simon has with the Lord of the Flies.
34. If Simon is not crazy, how does this conversation affirm his feelings about the beast?
Chapter 9: A View to a Death
35. Who are the last two boys to join the feast? How do they justify/rationalize going over to the “other” camp?
36. What fell into the water after Simon’s body washed out to sea? Why is this ironic?
37. Read the last paragraph of the chapter. Why does Golding use this poignant, celestial description at this time? What effect does it have on the reader?
Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses
38. What does it mean that Ralph feels the littluns “don’t count” as he is assessing their group (155)?
39. How does Piggy rationalize the murder from last night?
40. Upon a closer read, who are the boys actually fighting in the shelter? (167-68).
Chapter 11: Castle Rock
41. In describing the view of the boys from Roger’s perspective, Golding writes, “Ralph was a shock of hair and Piggy a bag of fat”(180). Why is this significant?
42. How does Golding foreshadow Roger’s murderous act in earlier chapters and in this one?
43. Choose one of the following symbols to briefly analyze: the conch shell, Piggy’s glasses, the fire, the hunters’ painted faces, the lord of the flies.
Chapter 12: Cry of the Hunter
44. Cite evidence that the boys have lost all reason.
45. What is the naval officer’s reaction to the news that two boys were killed? Considering his career, why is this ironic?