“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Twelve – Cry of the Hunters
1. “There was the indefinable connection between himself and Jack: who therefore would never let him alone: never.” (p204)
Why does Jack have to kill Ralph?
2. Twice Ralph meets the pig’s head grinning:
“The skull that gleamed as white as ever the conch had done and seemed to jeer at him cynically… the thing was lifeless… or was it?.. the teeth grinned… the skull regarded Ralph like one who knows all the answers and won’t tell.” (p205)
“there was the fathom-wide grin of the skull, no longer ridiculing a deep blue patch of sky but jeering up into a blanket of smoke.” (p219)
What do these meetings symbolise?
3. With Piggy dead, Ralph is to be next. What is the significance of the stick sharpened at both ends?
4. Consider the differences and similarities between the boys and the officer. (p222)
5. Discuss the importance of the following:
a) “But really, thought Ralph, this was not Bill. This was a savage whose image refused to blend with that ancient picture of a boy in shorts and shirt.” (p203)
b) “They’re not as bad as that. It was an accident.” (p204)
c) “He knew he was an outcast. ‘Cos I had some sense.’” (p206)
d) “A little boy who wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair and who carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still.” (p224)
e) “’I should have thought that a pack of British boys… would have been able to put up a better show than that…’” (p224)
f) “’I know. Jolly good show. Like the Coral Island.’” (p224)
6. “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.”
Consider the ending of the novel. (p225)
Do you find it satisfactory? Explain your reasons.
7. Given the ending that Golding chose for this novel, do you consider his outlook to be optimistic or pessimistic? Explain fully.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Lord of the Flies Q&As #11
“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Eleven – Castle Rock
1. What is symbolised by the fight between Jack and Ralph in this chapter?
2. The conch is smashed at the same time as Piggy is killed.
What deeper meaning lies behind these incidents?
3. Show, using quotation, how Roger’s personality is further developed in this chapter.
4. Explain the importance of the following:
a) “The others nodded. They understood only too well the liberation into savagery that the concealing paint brought.” (p191)
b) “By him stood Piggy, still holding out the talisman, the fragile, shining beauty of the shell.” (p200)
Chapter Eleven – Castle Rock
1. What is symbolised by the fight between Jack and Ralph in this chapter?
2. The conch is smashed at the same time as Piggy is killed.
What deeper meaning lies behind these incidents?
3. Show, using quotation, how Roger’s personality is further developed in this chapter.
4. Explain the importance of the following:
a) “The others nodded. They understood only too well the liberation into savagery that the concealing paint brought.” (p191)
b) “By him stood Piggy, still holding out the talisman, the fragile, shining beauty of the shell.” (p200)
Lord of the Flies Q&As #10
“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Ten – The Shell and the Glasses
1. Study pp171-175
a) How do the boys show their guilt at their involvement in Simon’s death?
b) How do they try to cover up this guilt?
2. What might be symbolised by Jack’s theft of Piggy’s glasses?
3. Ralph and Piggy are willing to share the fire.
Why then should Jack consider it necessary to steal it?
4. Discuss the importance of the following:
a) “’He’s going to beat Wilfred’… Roger received this news as an illumination. He… sat still, assimilating the possibilities of irresponsible authority.” (p176)
b) “’No!’ How could we – kill it?’” (p177)
c) “’We might get taken prisoner by the reds.’” (p179)
d) “’Well - what is the good?.. Ralph tried indignantly to remember. There was something good about a fire. Something overwhelmingly good.” (p180)
e) “Dartmoor was wild and so were the ponies. But the attraction of the wilderness had gone. His mind skated to a consideration of a tamed town where savagery could not set foot. What could be safer than the bus centre with its lamps and wheels.”
f) “The chief led them, trotting steadily, exulting in his achievement. He was a chief now in truth: and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses.” (p186)
Chapter Ten – The Shell and the Glasses
1. Study pp171-175
a) How do the boys show their guilt at their involvement in Simon’s death?
b) How do they try to cover up this guilt?
2. What might be symbolised by Jack’s theft of Piggy’s glasses?
3. Ralph and Piggy are willing to share the fire.
Why then should Jack consider it necessary to steal it?
4. Discuss the importance of the following:
a) “’He’s going to beat Wilfred’… Roger received this news as an illumination. He… sat still, assimilating the possibilities of irresponsible authority.” (p176)
b) “’No!’ How could we – kill it?’” (p177)
c) “’We might get taken prisoner by the reds.’” (p179)
d) “’Well - what is the good?.. Ralph tried indignantly to remember. There was something good about a fire. Something overwhelmingly good.” (p180)
e) “Dartmoor was wild and so were the ponies. But the attraction of the wilderness had gone. His mind skated to a consideration of a tamed town where savagery could not set foot. What could be safer than the bus centre with its lamps and wheels.”
f) “The chief led them, trotting steadily, exulting in his achievement. He was a chief now in truth: and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses.” (p186)
Lord of the Flies Q&As #9
“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Nine – A View to a Death
1. ’P’raps we ought to go too?’ (p160)
Why are Ralph and Piggy drawn to Jack’s lot, albeit only for a little while?
2. The balance of power has swung towards Jack – now he asserts his authority. Quote to illustrate Jack’s new sense of power. (p164-165)
3. a) Consider why the boys fall on Simon and batter him to death.
b) Why do you think Simon’s death is set against the background of a thunderstorm and gale?
c) Simon is often seen as a Christ-like figure. Consider Golding’s imagery on p169-170.
How does he achieve a beautiful, almost religious feel to Simon’s “ascension”?
Chapter Nine – A View to a Death
1. ’P’raps we ought to go too?’ (p160)
Why are Ralph and Piggy drawn to Jack’s lot, albeit only for a little while?
2. The balance of power has swung towards Jack – now he asserts his authority. Quote to illustrate Jack’s new sense of power. (p164-165)
3. a) Consider why the boys fall on Simon and batter him to death.
b) Why do you think Simon’s death is set against the background of a thunderstorm and gale?
c) Simon is often seen as a Christ-like figure. Consider Golding’s imagery on p169-170.
How does he achieve a beautiful, almost religious feel to Simon’s “ascension”?
Lord of the Flies Q&As #8
“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Eight – Gift for the Darkness
1. This chapter is the turning point in the novel: Jack deserts Ralph’s authority completely and forms a rival group.
Why do the other boys desert to join Jack instead of staying with Ralph and Piggy?
2. The brutal killing of the sow is the climax of the book, the point at which the powers of destruction, embodied by Jack, triumph over the restraints of civilisation, represented by Ralph. Here the boys totally and irrevocably commit themselves to a savage lifestyle.
a) Read p147: “The pigs lay… squealed.”
What kind of atmosphere is conveyed here?
b) How does the rest of p148 provide a contrast to this scene?
3. “Wedded in her lust… they were heavy and fulfilled upon her.” (pp148-9)
Comment on Golding’s use of language here.
4. Illustrate the sheer brutality of the hunt and the kill of the pig.
5. Read pp148-9, p151
Why does Golding introduce butterflies at two points in his description?
6. Study Simon’s meeting with the pig’s head on pp157-159
What contrast is Golding making between the butterflies and the flies?
7. What might be symbolised by this contrast?
8. Certain key ideas emerge in this chapter. We learn:
a) The significance of the title.
b) The reality of the “Beast””.
Chapter Eight – Gift for the Darkness
1. This chapter is the turning point in the novel: Jack deserts Ralph’s authority completely and forms a rival group.
Why do the other boys desert to join Jack instead of staying with Ralph and Piggy?
2. The brutal killing of the sow is the climax of the book, the point at which the powers of destruction, embodied by Jack, triumph over the restraints of civilisation, represented by Ralph. Here the boys totally and irrevocably commit themselves to a savage lifestyle.
a) Read p147: “The pigs lay… squealed.”
What kind of atmosphere is conveyed here?
b) How does the rest of p148 provide a contrast to this scene?
3. “Wedded in her lust… they were heavy and fulfilled upon her.” (pp148-9)
Comment on Golding’s use of language here.
4. Illustrate the sheer brutality of the hunt and the kill of the pig.
5. Read pp148-9, p151
Why does Golding introduce butterflies at two points in his description?
6. Study Simon’s meeting with the pig’s head on pp157-159
What contrast is Golding making between the butterflies and the flies?
7. What might be symbolised by this contrast?
8. Certain key ideas emerge in this chapter. We learn:
a) The significance of the title.
b) The reality of the “Beast””.
Lord of the Flies Q&As #7
“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Seven – Shadows and Tall Trees
1. Ralph once more considers the appearance of himself and the others.
Briefly note the changes he notices and explain why Golding has drawn attention to them.
2. Simon states, “You’ll get back to where you came from… you’ll get back all right.” (p121)
a) Why does the author introduce this incident? Consider its deeper meaning.
b) How does it link up with what we discover later about Simon’s unusual character?
3. Ralph dreams of the past and home. (pp122-123)
Why did Golding consider it necessary to insert this flashback?
4. Quote to illustrate Ralph’s exhilaration at the hunt.
5. To what is Golding drawing attention by having Ralph enjoying hunting as much as Jack?
6. a) Why is the episode with Robert significant? (pp125-126)
6. b) “’Just a game.’ Said Ralph uneasily.” Why ‘uneasily’? (p126)
Chapter Seven – Shadows and Tall Trees
1. Ralph once more considers the appearance of himself and the others.
Briefly note the changes he notices and explain why Golding has drawn attention to them.
2. Simon states, “You’ll get back to where you came from… you’ll get back all right.” (p121)
a) Why does the author introduce this incident? Consider its deeper meaning.
b) How does it link up with what we discover later about Simon’s unusual character?
3. Ralph dreams of the past and home. (pp122-123)
Why did Golding consider it necessary to insert this flashback?
4. Quote to illustrate Ralph’s exhilaration at the hunt.
5. To what is Golding drawing attention by having Ralph enjoying hunting as much as Jack?
6. a) Why is the episode with Robert significant? (pp125-126)
6. b) “’Just a game.’ Said Ralph uneasily.” Why ‘uneasily’? (p126)
Lord of the Flies Q&As #6
“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Six – Beast from Air
1. Explain the significance of the following:
“But a sign came down from the world of grown-ups, though at the time there was no child awake to read it.” (p103)
“’It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us…’” (p111)
“Simon… felt a flicker of incredulity… However, Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.” (p112)
2. Castle Rock, caves and boulders against the beach, shelters and smoke.
How do these contrasts sum up the power-struggle on the island?
Illustrate your answer from a study of the conversation between Ralph and Jack on pp110-112 and pp115-118.
3. How is the murder of Piggy foreshadowed in this chapter? (p115-118)
Chapter Six – Beast from Air
1. Explain the significance of the following:
“But a sign came down from the world of grown-ups, though at the time there was no child awake to read it.” (p103)
“’It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us…’” (p111)
“Simon… felt a flicker of incredulity… However, Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.” (p112)
2. Castle Rock, caves and boulders against the beach, shelters and smoke.
How do these contrasts sum up the power-struggle on the island?
Illustrate your answer from a study of the conversation between Ralph and Jack on pp110-112 and pp115-118.
3. How is the murder of Piggy foreshadowed in this chapter? (p115-118)
Lord of the Flies Q&As #5
“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Five - Beast from Water
1. Ralph must reassert his authority at the assembly.
Apart from the failure to keep the fire going, how else has the island’s organisation been breaking down?
2. Before the assembly, Ralph looks at his appearance.
“With the convulsion of the mind, Ralph discovered dirt and decay”?
3. Once again, the apparent order gives way to chaos.
Ralph realises the island society is breaking up.
Give 5 quotes to illustrate this realisation in Ralph.
4. As Ralph loses his control of the meeting, Jack seizes the opportunity to assert himself.
Give 5 quotations to show that Jack no longer accepts Ralph’s authority.
5. At the end of the chapter, Piggy and Ralph long for a return to the world of adults.
Why?
6. Explain the significance of the following:
a) “’Life is scientific,’ said Piggy… ‘I know there isn’t no fear either… unless… we get frightened of people.’” (p90)
b) “’Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.’ Simon became inarticulate in his effort to explain mankind’s essential illness.” (p96)
c) “’He can’t hurt you: but if you stand out of the way he’d hurt the next thing. And that’s me.’” (p101)
Chapter Five - Beast from Water
1. Ralph must reassert his authority at the assembly.
Apart from the failure to keep the fire going, how else has the island’s organisation been breaking down?
2. Before the assembly, Ralph looks at his appearance.
“With the convulsion of the mind, Ralph discovered dirt and decay”?
3. Once again, the apparent order gives way to chaos.
Ralph realises the island society is breaking up.
Give 5 quotes to illustrate this realisation in Ralph.
4. As Ralph loses his control of the meeting, Jack seizes the opportunity to assert himself.
Give 5 quotations to show that Jack no longer accepts Ralph’s authority.
5. At the end of the chapter, Piggy and Ralph long for a return to the world of adults.
Why?
6. Explain the significance of the following:
a) “’Life is scientific,’ said Piggy… ‘I know there isn’t no fear either… unless… we get frightened of people.’” (p90)
b) “’Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.’ Simon became inarticulate in his effort to explain mankind’s essential illness.” (p96)
c) “’He can’t hurt you: but if you stand out of the way he’d hurt the next thing. And that’s me.’” (p101)
Lord of the Flies Q&As #4
“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Four – Painted Faces and Long Hair
1) Maurice smashes sandcastles and runs away guiltily. Roger throws stones at Hendry but tries to miss.
How do these incidents relate to the conflict mentioned above?
Illustrate your answer with quotation. (P63-65)
2) Jack suggests his mask is for camouflage.
What other purpose does it serve? (P66-67)
Quote in support of your answer.
3) Explain how the destructive influence of evil scores a resounding victory over civilisation in this chapter.
4) Jack smashes one lens of Piggy’s glasses.
What might this symbolise?
5) How would you describe the behaviour of Jack and his hunters when they are relating the hunt and kill of the pig?
6) Explain the significance of the following:
a) “Jack checked, vaguely irritated by this irrelevance but too happy to let it worry him.” (p73)
b) “The two boys faced each other. There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill: and there was the world of longing and baffled common-sense.” (p75)
c) “Ralph went to Piggy and took the glasses from him. Not even Ralph knew how a link between him and Jack had been snapped and fastened elsewhere.” (p77)
d) “Ralph dribbled… He accepted a piece of half-raw meat and gnawed it like a wolf.” (p78)
e) “Maurice pretended to be the pig… and the hunters pretended to beat him.” (p79)
Chapter Four – Painted Faces and Long Hair
1) Maurice smashes sandcastles and runs away guiltily. Roger throws stones at Hendry but tries to miss.
How do these incidents relate to the conflict mentioned above?
Illustrate your answer with quotation. (P63-65)
2) Jack suggests his mask is for camouflage.
What other purpose does it serve? (P66-67)
Quote in support of your answer.
3) Explain how the destructive influence of evil scores a resounding victory over civilisation in this chapter.
4) Jack smashes one lens of Piggy’s glasses.
What might this symbolise?
5) How would you describe the behaviour of Jack and his hunters when they are relating the hunt and kill of the pig?
6) Explain the significance of the following:
a) “Jack checked, vaguely irritated by this irrelevance but too happy to let it worry him.” (p73)
b) “The two boys faced each other. There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill: and there was the world of longing and baffled common-sense.” (p75)
c) “Ralph went to Piggy and took the glasses from him. Not even Ralph knew how a link between him and Jack had been snapped and fastened elsewhere.” (p77)
d) “Ralph dribbled… He accepted a piece of half-raw meat and gnawed it like a wolf.” (p78)
e) “Maurice pretended to be the pig… and the hunters pretended to beat him.” (p79)
Lord of the Flies Q&As #3
“Lord of the Flies”
Chapter Three – Huts on the Beach
1) What is Golding’s purpose in the lengthy description of Jack and his actions at the beginning of the chapter?
In particular here, consider Golding’s imagery.
2) Already the conflict between Jack and Ralph is developing:
“They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to communicate.
‘If only I could get a pig!’
‘I’ll come back and go on with the shelter.’
They looked at each other, baffled, in love and hate. All the warm salt water and the shouting and splashing and laughing were only just sufficient to bring them together again.” (p56)
a) Discuss the significance of this quotation.
b) How does the rest of the conversation between Ralph and Jack on pages 51-56 show the same conflict between them?
Illustrate using quotation.
3a) What do we learn about Simon’s attitude to the others and about his own character from the final pages of this chapter?
3b) The chapter begins with Jack in the jungle and ends with Simon going off on his own into the jungle. Golding’s description in the last two pages provides an effective contrast to his description at the beginning.
Study pages 57-59, particularly Golding’s imagery.
i) Describe the atmosphere of this scene.
ii) How does it contrast with the opening scene?
iii) What is Golding’s purpose in this contrast?
Chapter Three – Huts on the Beach
1) What is Golding’s purpose in the lengthy description of Jack and his actions at the beginning of the chapter?
In particular here, consider Golding’s imagery.
2) Already the conflict between Jack and Ralph is developing:
“They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to communicate.
‘If only I could get a pig!’
‘I’ll come back and go on with the shelter.’
They looked at each other, baffled, in love and hate. All the warm salt water and the shouting and splashing and laughing were only just sufficient to bring them together again.” (p56)
a) Discuss the significance of this quotation.
b) How does the rest of the conversation between Ralph and Jack on pages 51-56 show the same conflict between them?
Illustrate using quotation.
3a) What do we learn about Simon’s attitude to the others and about his own character from the final pages of this chapter?
3b) The chapter begins with Jack in the jungle and ends with Simon going off on his own into the jungle. Golding’s description in the last two pages provides an effective contrast to his description at the beginning.
Study pages 57-59, particularly Golding’s imagery.
i) Describe the atmosphere of this scene.
ii) How does it contrast with the opening scene?
iii) What is Golding’s purpose in this contrast?
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Welcome.
This is the 2009-2010 English blog for all of Mr Connor's English classes.
I'll try to keep it current, but please remember to use its contents for revision purposes.
Of course, you can also leave comments and questions.
I'll try to keep it current, but please remember to use its contents for revision purposes.
Of course, you can also leave comments and questions.
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