Lord of the Flies
by
William Golding
Self Study Unit -
“The transition from order to chaos in Lord of The Flies by William Golding
reflects the author’s pessimism about the nature of humanity.”
Show how the rise of the hunt and the fall of order are used to communicate
the author’s themes.
The Rise of the Hunt
As the novel progresses the nature and importance of the hunt changes.
Use this sheet to help you analyse the changing nature of the hunt on the
island.
 Read the indicated extracts
from the novel in turn and
use your reading to help you
to complete the tables.

The first and last sentences
of the extract are listed for
you.

Try to include quotes from
the novel where appropriate.
ORDER
Chapter 3 - Huts on the Beach:
Jack stood there, streaming with sweat...pages 50-52
How has the hunt affected Jack? (+Quote)
How are the other boys responding to their new responsibilities? (+Quote)
How savage would you say the boys are at this stage?
...Ralph rolled on his stomach and began to play with the grass
SAVAGERY
Lord of the Flies
by
William Golding
Self Study Unit -
Lord of the Flies
by
William Golding
Self Study Unit -
Chapter 4 - Painted Faces and Long Hair
Simon looked now, from Ralph to Jack...pages 72-75
How does Jack react when he returns to what he has done? (+Quote)
How are the two different camps among the boys described? (+Quote)
What do you feel has changed since the last hunt?
Piggy’s glasses flew off and tinkled on the rocks. Piggy cried in terror
Chapter 8 - Gift for the Darkness
The pigs lay, bloated bags of fat...pages 147-151
How is the brutality and savagery of the boys shown? (+Quote)
How is the superstitious nature of the boys emphasised? (+Quote)
What has changed in the boys since the last hunt?
All at once they were running away, as fast as they could, through the forest towards the
open beach.
Chapter 9 - A View to a Death
The hunters were looking uneasily at the sky. pages 167-169
What impression is the author trying to give of the boys? (+Quote)
Why has the author chosen to describe the boys’ behaviour in this way?
The parachute took the figure forward, furrowing the lagoon, and bumped it over the reef
and out to sea.
Chapter 11 - Castle Rock
Now the painted group felt the otherness of Samneric...pages 198-201
What ‘power’ do the boys now hold?
What is the crisis that Jack fears?
How are Jack’s fears, and the key conflict of the novel, expressed in Piggy’s words?(+Quote)
This time the silence was complete.
Lord of the Flies
by
William Golding
Self Study Unit -
Chapter 12 - The Cry of the Hunters
A single cry quickened his heart beat.pages 217 - 222
How is the total savagery of the boys revealed in their actions?
Despite their supposed savagery, what signs of organisation do the boys show?
Then he was down rolling over and over in the warm sand...trying to cry for mercy
The Fall of Order


In this section of your study of Golding’s novel you will be examining the
changing attitude of the boys towards order.
Firstly you should examine the ending of the novel, and the words of the
Naval Officer. His words reveal the what would be expected of a group
of English boys in their situation.
The officer turned back at Ralph.
“We’ll take you off. How many of you are there?”
Ralph shook his head. The officer looked past him to the group of
painted boys.
“Who’s boss here?”
“I am“ said Ralph loudly...
“We saw your smoke. And you don’t know how many of you there are?”
“No, sir.”
“I should have thought,” said the officer as he visualized the search
before him,” I should have thought that a pack of British boys...would
have been able to put up a better show than that - I mean -”

Bearing in mind the Naval Officer’s words at this stage of the novel, look back at the
beginning chapter and the attempts made by the boys to organize themselves.
Write a paragraph explaining the similarities between the boys behaviour at
the start of the novel and the officer’s expectations of them at the end.
The Conch


The conch is used seven times during the course of the novel,
you will be looking at the change in the boys attitude to order
in their time on the island.
The conch is first blown at the start of the novel by Ralph to
summon all the boys together and quickly becomes a symbol
of order to which all the boys, at first, can relate to.
Lord of the Flies
by
William Golding
Self Study Unit -
SYMBOL: A character/object in a novel etc which represents something
else.
i.e. In Lord of the Flies the conch is a central part of the assemblies. It
becomes such an important part of order and organisation on the island,
that it actually comes to represent it.
Conch=Order.
Chapter Two: Fire on the Mountain
The boys have their first meeting
By the time Ralph finished blowing the conch the platform was crowded. P 30 - 34
Why is the meeting called?
How well is it run? / What is decided?
How is the conch used?
Piggy knelt by him, one hand on the great shell, listening and interpreting to the assembly.
Chapter Five: Beast from Water
This meeting must not be fun, but business. P 81 - 84
Why is the meeting called?
How effective is it in achieving its purpose?
What attitude is shown towards the conch/
An assembly to put things straight. And first of all, I’m speaking.
Chapter Eight: Gift for the Darkness
The sound of the inexpertly blown conch interrupted them P 137 - 140
Why is the meeting called?
How effective is it?
He leapt down from the platform and ran along the beach...Ralph watched him.
Lord of the Flies
by
William Golding
Self Study Unit -
Chapter Nine: A View to a Death
“I’m chief,” said Ralph, “because you chose me... P 166 - 167
How is the conch used?
What attitude is shown?
“I’ll blow the conch,” said Ralph breathlessly, “and call an assembly.”
“We shan’t hear it.”
Chapter Ten: The Shell and the Glasses
“What we going to do?” P 172
What attitude is shown to the conch?
What has happened to reflect this?
Chapter Eleven: Castle Rock
“An assembly for only us?” P 188 - 190
Why is the conch used?
What does its use represent?
“Give me my glasses I’m going to say - you got to!”
Chapter Eleven: Castle Rock
Piggy held up the conch and the booing sagged a little ,then came up again to strength
P199-201
What happens as a result of the loss of the conch?
He ran forward , stooping.
“I’m Chief!”