Lord of the Flies by William Golding - Chapter Questions and Vocabulary
Chapter 4 - “Painted Faces and Long Hair”
Vocabulary
blatant (p.58)
taboo (p.62)
sinewy (p.64)
malevolently (p.71)
dubious (p.59)
belligerence (p.60)
myriad (p.61)
ravenously (p.66)
Questions
1. What is the significance of the title of this chapter?
2. a) How much time has passed since the boys landed on the island and how do we know this?
b) What effect has this had on everyone?
3. Discuss the metaphor Golding uses to compare life to the passage of a day.
4. a) What is a “mirage” and how do the boys react to the mirages in daylight and at night?
b) In what ways is the concept of civilization a mirage?
5. Outline the lifestyle of the “little ‘uns”.
6. Why does Roger, throwing stones at the little ones, aim just to miss?
7. What is symbolic about the fact that Piggy’s hair never seems to grow?
8. What hope is dashed in this chapter due to irresponsible behavior?
9. What is disturbing about the behavior of Jack and the hunters?
10. How do Piggy’s glasses get half broken in this chapter and what does this symbolize? Who helps Piggy?
11. a) What definite stand does Ralph make?
b) Why does he do this and is he successful?
c) Why is Simon afraid when he sees how Ralph and Jack are staring at each other?
12. Why does Piggy fear Jack and why does Jack refuse to give Piggy any meat?
13. a) What effect is the face painting having on Jack? How can we tell this?
b) What is the psychological and symbolic significance of the face paint?
14. a) Describe the boys’ behavior at the pig roast. How are they changing?
b) Compare the boys’ behavior during the hunt and at the pig feast with their attitude toward daily
activities and duties. What might this comparison indicate about their future?
15. Why does Ralph suddenly call a meeting at the end of the chapter?
16. What differences in character between Jack and Ralph are revealed through the arguments between
them? What does this chapter represent for these two characters? Who do you think is most in
tune with the boys?
Chapter 5 - “Beast From Water”
Vocabulary
Ludicrous (p.78)
Ineffectual (p.79)
lavatory (p.80)
inarticulate (p.89)
apex (p.77)
solemn (p.78)
reverence (p.78)
assent (p.79)
Questions
1. What is the significance of the title of the chapter?
2. Compare Ralph’s mood at the beginning of the novel to his mood right before the nighttime assembly. What has caused
the change? What is happening to him?
3. Why has the island turned out to be very different from what Ralph expected it to be at the beginning?
4. Describe the place where the assemblies take place.
5. What is Ralph thinking about before the assembly begins?
6. What does Ralph want back? What does he constantly do in this chapter which symbolizes this desire?
7. At the beginning of the nighttime assembly in Chapter Five, what problems with the island society does Ralph point out?
What changes does he tell the boys they must make and why?
8. The fire seems to need constant attention. What could this symbolically represent?
9. What discussion disrupts the meeting?
10. What different views of the beast do Ralph, Jack, Simon, Piggy, and Percival offer at the meeting?
11. What is the symbolic meaning of Percival’s failure to remember his phone number?
12. What do the following lines from Piggy about the beast in the jungle literally and symbolically represent: “there isn’t no
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
beast” and “there isn’t no fear either”?
The boys are still only allowed to speak when they hold the conch and they vote on whether or not ghosts exist. Why do
Ralph and Piggy feel that these are essential exercises? Why does Jack disagree?
Why does Piggy say the following lines:
-“Course there aren’t [any ghosts or beasts]. Why? ‘Cos things wouldn’t
make sense. Houses an’ streets, an’ - TV.”
-“Grownups ain’t afraid of the dark. They’d meet and have tea and discuss.”
Why do Piggy and Simon try to persuade Ralph to blow the conch again after the meeting dissolves? Why does Ralph
want to quit and why do they try to dissuade him from giving up his position as chief?
Discuss the meaning of the following passage: “The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away.
Once there was this and that; and now - and the ship had gone.”
Give an example of irony from this chapter.
What comment is William Golding making about nature and civilization in this chapter?
Chapter 6 - “Beast From Air”
Vocabulary
Leviathan (p.105)
clamor (p.108)
mutinously (p.108)
tremulously (p.99)
emphatic (p.101)
interminable (p.99)
exasperation (p.102)
impenetrable (p.104)
guano (p.106)
taut (p.107)
Questions
1. Discuss the significance of this chapter title. Combined with Chapter Five, what might these two titles suggest to us
about the mental state and thoughts of the boys?
2. Ralph has been hoping and praying for a signal from the adult world, and in this chapter he gets it. What is it and why is
it ironic? How does the dead parachutist become animated?
3. a) How does Golding use language to show that Sam and Eric are twins?
b) Why do the twins fail to keep the fire going?
c) What do they miss seeing because of this and what do they see instead?
d) How do the twins feel about Ralph now? Who do they compare him to?
4. a) At the assembly prompted by Sam and Eric’s experience, what do the boys decide to do about the beast?
b) How is democracy breaking down?
c) Why does Jack say they don’t need the conch anymore?
d) Do you agree with Ralph’s statement that “rules are the only thing we’ve got”?
5. Compare the assemblies that take place before and after the beast is actually sighted. How do the tones of the assemblies
differ?
6. Discuss Sam and Eric’s description of the beast. Is it an accurate account?
7. Why does Ralph insist on being the first one to look for the beast? Why does Jack insist on accompanying him? What
do their two views on how to deal with the beast symbolize?
8. What is the meaning of the following statement: “However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight
the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.”
9. What is “Castle Rock”? What is its significance?
10. Why do the boys choose to look for the beast on the rocky tip of the island rather than on the mountain where he was
sighted?
11. Piggy is the most intelligent of the boys and Jack is the bravest. What special quality, if any, can Ralph claim?
12. Why do you think the boys have become obsessed with the beast? Which boy’s perception of the beast seems most
accurate? Why?
13. How does the chapter end? Who seems to be taking control and how do we know this?