Mr. Jansen's English Class - Home



LORD OF THE FLIES – Lit Circle Discussion Questions06096000Instructions: As you read Lord of the Flies, you are responsible for being able to answer and discuss the significance of the following questions. These questions will help you probe the key concepts and ideas of the novel, as well as ensure a basic understanding of the plot. This study guide will prepare you for assignments related to the novel. After reading each chapter, you will meet with your “lit circle” in class to discuss the questions. Each group member is responsible for coming to class prepared with answers to all of these questions. Some of you will want to write down your answers, other will be able to formulate answers in your head. The ultimate goal, however, is to ensure everyone in your group understands the novel. Assessment: At the end of each lit circle, you will evaluate the contributions each of your group members made, as well as the contributions you made yourself. These peer evaluations will be completely anonymous and will be the basis for your participation mark in this unit. Students who miss a lit circle will be given a zero for that day. However, if you bring a note excusing your absence and provide written answers for the chapter you missed, you will be given credit for that day’s lit circle. Chapter 1: The Sound of the ShellHow did the boys get to the island? What clues are given to what has happened and how the boys arrived on the island? Find textual evidence and explain.Is the island welcoming or hostile? Provide examples to support your answer.What is the scar? What do you think it symbolizes?What do the boys have that is the symbol of authority in the society they form?Why did the boys choose Ralph as a leader? Who would you have chosen and explain why? After Ralph is chosen, he does two things which illustrate that he is a good leader. What are they?What does the reader learn about Jack when he slashed the green candle buds? Each of the boys’ reaction to the candle buds is typical of their personalities. Explain.Describe the power struggle between Jack and Ralph when they are choosing a chief.What is the point of view of the narrator? Justify your answer.What is the significance of Ralph’s statement, “This belongs to us” when speaking of the island?Why do they not kill the pig? Write/find the words which indicate the boys’ reluctance. This view will be in stark contrast to events later on. At present, they are an indication of what?Chapter 2: Fire on the MountainWhat are three strategies Piggy and Ralph use to gain organization?In Chapter 2, the conch begins to take on more meaning and significance. There are two important statements about the conch’s purpose. What are they?Notice Piggy’s method of directing Ralph, and helping him be “chief”. He makes a suggestion, and attributes the idea to Ralph. In this way, he ensures that his good ideas will be accepted, thereby acknowledging his own ineffectiveness with the group. Give two examples of this technique in Chapter 2.Why does Jack hesitate when he lifts his knife to kill the piglet, and what does he promise will happen next time he meets a pig?Why are the little boys scared (especially the boy with the mulberry coloured birth mark)?Whom does Ralph believe will rescue them? How does Ralph plan to attract attention to the Island?How do the boys make a fire?Why does Jack want “rules”? How is this view characteristic of him so far?Who leads the boys up the mountain to build the fire? In what way is his leadership different from Ralph’s?The use of Piggy’s glasses to start the fire offers a symbolic purpose. What can the glasses be seen as a symbol of? How does this fit what we know of Piggy so far?What role does Simon play in this chapter? Notice his statement on p. 46.The word “savage” is mentioned at least three times in this chapter. Jack states, “we’re not savages”, then triumphantly claims that “the English are best at everything”. Later, Ralph’s awe of the fire created and Piggy’s justifiable sarcasm makes him respond “savagely”. What is being suggested here?Golding uses many figures of speech in his writing. In this chapter, find an example of: personification, metaphor and simile.In this chapter, the boys’ first attempts at a reasonable civilization end in chaos. What has happened and why?Give three reasons why Piggy is angry at the end of the chapter. Do you sympathize with Piggy’s character? Why, or why not?Chapter 3: Huts on the BeachWhat jobs are Simon, Ralph, and Jack doing?How has Jack's personality developed during his stay on the island?This is the first indication of conflict between Ralph and Jack. In what way can the shelter-building be seen as a symbol of their differences? What do the huts mean to Ralph and what to they mean to Jack?Ralph says of Simon, "He's queer. He's funny." What does Ralph mean by this?What are some ways Golding uses descriptive language and imagery to manipulate the way we see Simon and Jack? Give examples from the chapter.What makes Simon a good/kind character? Simon’s helpfulness is illustrated twice in the chapter. What does he do that is helpful and cooperative?Simon find a quiet spot to retreat to. What object becomes a symbol for Simon? In what way is it an effective one?What job on the island do you think is most important? Why?Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair This is an important chapter: two critical events occur almost instantaneously. What are they? Why are they important?Describe how the littluns spend their time on the island.First Maurice, then Roger antagonize and tease the littluns. Contrast their behaviour and their attitude. In what way is Roger’s behaviour more ominous? What is the “space around Henry” which Roger does not penetrate? Explain the following: “Here, invisible but strong, was the taboo of the old life… Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins.” When he begins to throw stones, why does he just throw them near him instead of directly at him?Jack masks himself with clay and charcoal. What effect does this have on his behaviour? What is the purpose of any mask either real or imagined?How do you think Jack felt about killing the pig? Support your answer with reference to the text.Why does Ralph get so angry? It takes almost two pages for Ralph’s fury to finally penetrate the hunter’s excitement. What is Jack’s response? Use phrases from the text to indicate how he is feeling and how he deals with his feelings.During these events, Simon shows compassion at two different times, to Ralph and to Piggy. What does he do and say? Use phrases from the text to indicate his actions.Jack’s reaction to his humiliation is a typically human one: he finds a scapegoat. Who is the scapegoat and what does Jack do?Piggy’s specs now become a symbol of the boys’ civilization at present: half smashed by violence, only half effective. What are some other examples from this chapter regarding their state of civilization?An example of foreshadowing in this chapter is Maurice’s playacting of the slaughter. What is the chant used?Chapter 5: Beast from WaterRalph is finally beginning to face the realities of their existence. At the beginning of Chapter 5, Ralph walks off alone to think things through, searching for some understanding of what is happening. Write the phrases and ideas from the text, which states his new perspective on “thinking”, his understanding of the process, his speculations about life, his discoveries about them himself. Use these phrases to develop a paragraph about “thinking”. Compare Ralph's treatment of the littluns with Jack's. Notice how cleverly Jack incites the children’s fear. Analyze his methods, and show how he brings the group under his control and wrests power away from Ralph.What does Ralph admire about Piggy?Describe the mood at the beginning of the chapter; include a passage from the text to support your answer.What is Simon saying when he thinks the "beast" may be inside the boys themselves? (p. 96)Discuss what Piggy says, “If you’re scared of someone you hate him, but you can’t stop thinking about him”.Both Piggy and Simon understand that fear is internal. Do you agree or disagree? Find an example in your own experience to support one side or the other.On p. 99, there is an ominous shift in perspective: “the world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away”. Explain what the author means, and what has caused this shift.Chapter 6: Beast from the AirWhat is the “beast from air” that Sam ‘n Eric saw? Why is it significant that Sam n’ Eric found the “beast”? Where do they fit into the structure of the group so far? What do they represent?Why didn’t Ralph blow the conch before the meeting? (p.108) Ralph got the sign he wanted, but it is horribly ironic. Describe the “sign”, and how it got to where it settles. Use words from the text to describe this figure, and indicate why it is ironic.Why are Ralph and Jack cooperating with each other in spite of their hard feelings?The conflict between Ralph and Jack erupts again, over the question of Piggy coming on the hunt for the beast. Speculate on why Jack might hate Piggy so much.Discuss the meaning of the sentence, “However, Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.” (p.112) Why is Simon the only one to doubt the existence of the beast? Do you think this is significant? Why or Why not? Why are humans scarier than creatures?Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall TreesHow does Ralph react when a boar comes charging down the path? What does this tell us about him?To what does Ralph's demonstration of his hunting prowess lead?Who does Jack suggest that they use next time to play the game, and what does this reveal about him?What did the boys see on the mountaintop?Why is the action of the story increasingly taking place in the near darkness or in the deep night when only the moon and stars give a little light?Why does Ralph think Simon is “batty”? What does he do that it considered odd? Simon’s assurance that Ralph will “get back all right” is an example of his nature. Describe his character, his personality, and what kind of person he might symbolize.There are many parallels to primitive societies in this chapter and the next: the use of ritual, the chanting, the mock-battles to prepare the warriors, the gift given to the gods as appeasement. Look up the word “ritual”, write out the definition, and explain how the boys’ hunting is ritualistic.Why is it important to the theme of the novel that Ralph be involved in this hunt? What does his presence tell us about him, and about hunting? How does this event help develop the themes in the novel?The last couple of chapters increase the violence evident in the boys. Provide some concrete examples of how they are becoming less “civilized”. Give examples of the “breaking down” of social taboos.Ralph is becoming a more mature thinker: not only is he able to plan things through, but he is also beginning to understand other people’s motivation and desires. There are at least two examples in this chapter about Ralph’s increasing ability to think, as well as a few examples of when his thinking is obscured. Find these examples and discuss Ralph’s thinking process.When the three boys venture onward to seek the beast, there are numerous battles of power and courage as they struggle with their fears. Show an example of one of these struggles, and discuss the outcome.What, exactly, is happening to “the beast”? Describe the process carefully.Chapter 8: Gift for the DarknessThis is Ralph’s low point. He’s seen the beast, and it sits by the fire, “not wanting us to be rescued”. He feels beaten. Jack, however, feels more necessary than ever. Talk, rescue, seem meaningless. “We’re hunters”, he claims, and that is enough. The confrontation between Ralph and Jack, foreshadowed many times, comes to a head. Try to list all of the times Ralph and Jack have come to a head in the novel so far, and show the results of each of these conflicts, including this latest one. How is this latest one different from the rest?Although he is not able to get the boys to vote Ralph out of office as chief, Jack manages to overthrow Ralph's authority anyway. How?Why did Jack say that the beast is a hunter? Once more, Piggy shows the power of his thinking, as opposed to the other boys. He is able to consider alternate possibilities, rather than be stuck in the tradition of other people’s thoughts. He can think “like a grown-up”. Provide some examples from throughout the novel of his ability to consider alternate possibilities.What kind of person does Piggy represent, or symbolize? Why is he the scapegoat and often mocked? What is it about him that others cannot tolerate? What does this tell is about the flaws of human nature? If Piggy represents MIND, what does Jack represent? Jack’s “brilliant happiness” at being chief signals a different sort of society. How is this “tribe” different from the group formed by the conch? Indicate the ways in which each society is different and why these differences have arisen.This second hunt is very different from the first, and the first that the reader witnesses from the beginning. Why does the author give us all the gruesome details?Why do the boys “sharpen a stick at both ends”? Why do they give a gift to the beast? In what way is this a parallel to “primitive” societies?Why did Simon go off by himself into the forest and what does this say about his character if anything? Describe Simon's strange encounter with the Lord of the Flies. What is happening to him? Notice that during the scene of creating the “gift for the beast”, Simon is watching. His encounter with the boar’s head brings us closest to the theme of the novel. It answers, in a sense, Ralph’s cry, “Piggy, what’s wrong?” Summarize this encounter as a revelation of the theme, explaining the words, “I’m the reason it’s no go.”What does the Lord of the Flies symbolize?Why is the killing of the sow discussed in such detail? Pay close attention to the language in the description.Chapter 9: A View of DeathChapter 9 is the most shocking of chapters, because Simon’s death seems so unexpected. It is a turning point for the novel; after this, it seems impossible that things can go right again, and the process is a swift one down to savagery.Simon, waking from his fit, sees two things: the Lord of the Flies, and the fallen parachutist. What are the similarities between the two things? In what way does this encounter represent the themes of the novel?Simon “frees the line from the rocks and the figure from the wind’s indignity.” Explain what he does and how this action has an effect on the events to follow.Describe Jack’s leadership style at this point in the novel. Jack is sitting at the feast “like an idol”. Explain what this tells us about: a) Jack’s character, and b) the kind of “tribal society” he is creating.At this point, Ralph’s threat to “blow the conch” and call a meeting is greeted with derision (disdain). “We shan’t hear it”, claims Jack. Why can’t the conch be heard? What has happened? Give examples of how setting/atmosphere will reveal what will happen next. When the storm strikes, Jack leaps onto the sand and urges everyone to “do our dance”. Why? What purpose does the dance have?Why do Ralph and Piggy join the dance? If you were there, would you have joined in the dance? Why, or why not?What happens to Simon when he returns to the group? The description of the murder of Simon is full of images of animals. Study the paragraph (p. 168?) carefully and comment on the words which build this image.After his death, the “real beast” arrives. Find the lines which describe the passage of this creature.As a result of the storm with its high winds and high tides, what happens to the bodies of Simon and the parachutist?Chapter 10: The Shell and the GlassesWhat was Samneric’s explanation for the previous night and why did they say that? Do you think that Jack is using “the beast” to maintain power or that he is sincerely fooled? Support. What is Piggy’s explanation of Simon’s death, and why does he say that?Did Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric take part in the “dance” that killed Simon? How do you know?Ralph says, “I wasn’t scared… I don’t know what I was.” Explain the mood and motivation of the boys during the storm.Was it murder, as Ralph says, or an accident, as Piggy says? Argue one point of view and justify your position.Jack and others are also attempting to come to terms with the events of the previous night. How do their views differ from Piggy and Ralph?Notice on p. 177 (?), that Jack denies that the “beast” was even killed. Why is it more convenient for it not to be dead?Ralph, in his nightly dreams, remembers the wild ponies that came to the cottage wall. Now, however, he states that, “the attraction of wilderness had gone.” What does he mean?What does Jack plan to steal from Ralph and Piggy? What will Jack do if someone interferes with him?What does Piggy realize after Jack and the other “savages” attack their camp? “I thought they wanted the conch”, says Piggy. What is ironic about his simple belief in its power?Explain the growing significance of Roger’s character and what he represents through his words and actions.Chapter 11: Castle RockThis chapter begins with the image of Piggy “blinded”: the symbol of rationality now shattered and stolen. Piggy must be led “like a dog”. Yet the remaining members of Ralph’s society cling to remnants of their civilization. What three (3) examples can you find that they are “not savages”, as Ralph states many times in this chapter?Piggy’s intention to “go to Jack with this conch in my hands” is pathetically ironic. What are his arguments to Jack and what does he think will happen? Explain the irony in this section (p. 189?).The boys try to fix up their appearance without resorting to paint or hair ties. They put on clothes, the tribe puts on paint. How do these symbolic acts explain the differences between the boys?What does the quote, “The twins were examining Ralph curiously, as though they were seeing him for the ?rst time.” suggest about the way the twins viewed Ralph and why would they think that? What does the description of Castle Rock say about it? (think imagery) What do you think about Piggy’s decision to get his glasses? What happens to the conch and to Piggy? What is the significance of these two “deaths” and what does that imply about the society that now exists on the island?Show three (3) examples of Roger’s growing power and what this power consists of. Use quotations to support your views. For instance, what is significant about the quote that Roger, from his point of view on top of Castle Rock, saw "Ralph was a shock of hair and Piggy a bag of fat", and what happens next? How does this event solidify Roger’s role and what he symbolizes in the story? How is Piggy’s death different from Simon’s? Compare and contrast not just how they were killed, but what happened to their bodies. How do these events reinforce what the characters represented in the story?At the same time as Piggy is struck by the rock, the conch explodes into “a thousand white fragments” and ceases to exist. The conch is an important symbol throughout the story. What does this event suggest about the symbolism of the conch? Ralph accuses Jack of “not playing the game”. What does he mean? What kind of rules and values does a “game” have? Notice that “the game” here is different in meaning to Ralph’s earlier comment that “being rescued isn’t a game”. Contrast the different connotations of the word game. What is the significance of the kidnapping of Samneric and their “otherness”?The climax builds with a series of questions by Piggy: “Which is better?” (p.200) These contrasts state very clearly the differences between the two societies. In the background is the ominous rhythm of Roger’s stone: “zup!” In a sense, the entire story can be contained in this one scene and its horrible aftermath. Summarize and show the thematic significance of the climax.Chapter 12: Cry of the HuntersWhat is the difference between Ralph’s and Simon’s reaction to the skull? Explain why. What is significant about who destroyed the conch, and who destroyed the “Lord of the Flies”?Driven by fear and hunger, Ralph manages to make contact with Samneric who are standing guard at Castle Rock. Of what do they warn him?In what ways does the tribe try to hunt down Ralph? Ralph wisely realizes that Jack will stop at nothing to hunt him down. How would you explain the “indefinable connection” between them?On p. 205-206, Ralph destroys the skull as in the previous chapter the conch has been exploded into a thousand fragments. Contrast these two symbols. What do they symbolize and how are they different?Where does Ralph hide? Why is that symbolically the right place for him? (Think of who used to go there).What does the tribe’s burning of the island symbolize? What is significant about the fact that Ralph states he is Chief, and Jack does not challenge him? Think about what these two characters represent. Show how this reveals their character at this final point.Does the story have a happy ending or a tragic one? Defend one view. Explain the irony of the fire on the island.Do you consider the ending optimistic or pessimistic? Discuss. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download