Lord of the Flies
Day 1 - Reading Assignment
Students read chapters 1-2.
Content Summary
Chapter 1:
Chapter 2:
Thought Questions
1.How does Piggy’s approach to their situation of being stranded on the island differ from the other
boys’ perspectives? How does this impact their view of him? How is the treatment Piggy receives from
the other schoolboys distinct, and why?
2.Jack and his choirboys are described as a dark “creature.” “Then the creature stepped from mirage on
to clear sand, and they saw that the darkness was not all shadow but mostly clothing. The creature was
a party of boys…” (Ch. 1)? What is the potential significance of this description?
3.What do you think about the boys’ decision regarding how to choose a leader (Ch. 1)? What does this
method of selection reflect?
4.Given the differences in Ralph’s and Jack’s reactions to the beast described by the little boy, how do
their leadership styles differ (Ch. 2)?
5.Evaluate Jack’s disproportionate response to his inability to kill the piglet. What might this foreshadow
in his character? (Ch. 1)?
6.In light of Piggy’s attempts to reason with the boys and to have his voice heard, what is the potential
symbolism of his glasses, particularly when they are used to spark the fire (Ch. 2)?
7.“A tree exploded in the fire like a bomb,” is one description included in this section. The boys also
describe a rock they push over as “like a bomb.” Consider the meaning of these descriptions, given the
setting of the book and why the boys find themselves stranded on this island after a plane crash.
.Vocabulary (in order of appearance)
Chapter 1:
· Home Counties:
· lagoon:
· prominent:
· apprehension:
· envious:
· effulgence
· conch:
· strident:
· pallid:
· creeper:
· defile:
· bastion:
· astern:
· hiatus:
Chapter 2:
· gesticulate:
· conspiratorial:
· ebullience:
· quota:
· officious:
· taut:
· recrimination:
· capering:
· unheeded:
· swathe:
Additional Homework
1There are various references throughout these two chapters to the schoolboys being English, and to
“bomb” imagery. Provide an educated explanation regarding how they have ended up stranded on the
tropical island after a plane crash. Keep in mind the date of publication and the vague references in the
text to the situation at home.
.2 Examine the descriptions of the island and draw a map of what you think it might look like.