Chapter 1-3 Analysis
Characterization
Chapter 1:
1. The term characterization refers to the various means by which an author describes and develops the characters
in a literary work. Describe Ralph, Piggy & Jack. How does Ralph’s reaction to having no adults around differ
from Piggy’s?
2. How is Piggy revealed as most closely tied to the world of adults? How is Piggy indirectly responsible for the
blowing of the conch?
3. In what sense do Ralph and Piggy complement each other while dealing with the conch? Describe Sam and Eric.
4. How do Ralph and Jack treat Piggy? What does this say about each of their characters? Why is Ralph elected
chief?
5. How does Ralph try to appease Jack? Does it work? On the expedition, why doesn’t Jack kill the pig? What does
this say about him?
Chapters 2 & 3:
6. Ralph: What are Ralph’s main responsibilities? Describe his changing attitudes toward them. Has his attitude
toward Piggy changed since the opening pages of the novel? What causes his rage in Chapter 3? How does this
series of events illuminate his character?
7. Piggy: Does Piggy`s place in society seem to be any different from his place in England? How has he changed
during their time on the island? In what ways is Piggy the voice of reason? Why is it hard for the boys to hear
Piggy?
8. Jack: How does Jack and Ralph’s relationship developed during the building of the fire? How does friction
develop between them in Chapter 3? When Jack is hunting or talking about hunting, what kind of look does he
have? What does this signify?
9. Simon: How is Simon different from Ralph and Jack? What additional information do we learn about Simon’s
appearance and personality? What does Simon do at the end of chapter 3? Why?
Symbolism
Chapter 1:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Describe the discovery of the conch shell.
What role does the conch shell play in the election?
What does the scar symbolize?
What is the title of the first chapter, and how does it fit into the story?
Chapters 2 & 3:
5. What do Piggy’s glasses represent? What part of society does Piggy himself represent?
6. In addition to the huts on the beach being a shelter from weather, in what symbolic way does Ralph think that
the shelters are important?
7. What does the beastie signify?
8. Allusion – What allusion is made when Ralph is explaining the benefits of the island (about 3 pages into Ch. 2).
Why is it referenced?
#8) An allusion is when authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your
super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

The names "Ralph," "Jack," and "Simon": R.M. Ballantyne: The Coral Island.
The Coral Island was a classic 1857 "Europe can better the world through conquering it and forcing Christianity upon
everyone" book. Golding read it when he was a wee boy, considered it racist, and fashioned Lord of the Flies as a response to
Ballantyne. While the boys in The Coral Island encounter evil "primitives" (read: natives) and find a happy ending by burning
"the false Gods" of the inhabitants, the white boys in Lord of the Flies realize that they're evil themselves. Golding argues that
darkness is internal and inherent, not something you can attribute solely to those with a different skin color than you.
Setting
Chapter 1,2 & 3:
1. The combination of place and time that provides the general background for the characters and plot of a literary
work is the story’s setting. Describe everything you know about the island and explain the significance of its
shape.
2. What is “the scar”? Why does Golding choose that word? Focus on the descriptions.
3. Compare the forest to the beach; the lightness to the darkness. What overall tone is set by these descriptions?
4. How does the contrast between the beach and the forest contribute to the theme and the tone of the novel?
Conflict
A confrontation or struggle between opposing characters or forces in the plot is conflict. External conflicts generally
involve a clash between a character and nature or between humans competing or struggling against one another or
society. Internal conflicts are psychological and involve the inner divisions or turmoil of a single character.
Chapter 1:
1. Identify all the types of conflict shown in Chapter 1
2. Describe the conflict between the boys during the election
3. How does the author show tension in the election? Which words create the tense tone?
4. What internal conflicts face Ralph? Jack? Piggy?
Chapters 2&3:
5. Identify the following types of conflict that occur in Chapters 2 & 3 and explain in detail: Person vs. Self, Person
vs. Person, Person vs. Society, Person vs. Nature
Theme and Main Idea
Chapter 1:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Why is the discovery of the pigs on the island important?
How do the boys try to recreate civilization in the first chapter?
How does the author start developing the theme of savagery vs. civilization in Chapter 1?
Identify two other themes that exist in Chapter 1.
Chapters 2 & 3:
5. The little boy with the mulberry-coloured birthmark comes forward to speak of what?
6. What element does he introduce? How does the descriptive phrase, “the small boy twisted further into himself”
hint at a theme?
7. What has Ralph come to learn about society on the island? The personal conflict between Ralph and Jack in
Chapter 3 mirrors the thematic conflict of the novel. What is the thematic conflict?
8. What is the main idea of Chapter 2? Chapter 3?