Chapter 9: A View to a Death
“At once the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore.
There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws.”
1.
What does Simon discover at the beginning of the chapter?
2.
Why are Piggy and Ralph the only 2 at the pool?
3.
Describe Jack’s appearance and personality on p132-134.
4.
What phrase do the boys add to their chant on p136? Where has this been mentioned before?
5.
How does the boys’ game of reenacting the pig hunt change in this chapter?
6.
What are some of the specific details used to describe what happened to Simon’s body at the very end of the chapter?
Quotes
Discussion Questions
What is the weather like during this chapter? How does that contribute to the tone/mood of the scene? How does Golding use the external environment to escalate the suspense and terror?
Looking back over the novel, how is Simon portrayed as a Christ figure? Give specific examples. How does his death continue that symbolism?

Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses
“I know. They didn’t come for the conch. They came for something else. Ralph—what am I going to do?”
1.
How do Ralph and Piggy each respond to Simon’s death?
2.
What happens to Wilfred?
3.
What keeps happening to Ralph on p146 as he tries to lead the others?
4.
What was ironic/funny about the fight in the dark on p149-150?
5.
What did Jack and his boys steal?
Quotes:
Discussion Questions
After the opening discussion Piggy and Ralph have about Simon’s death, does your opinion of these characters change at all? Have they changed like Jack and Roger or are they still civilized and “good”?
What is significant about Jack’s methods as a leader? How does he manipulate the other boys? Why do you think the other boys follow him?
Why was Piggy so scared Jack wanted the conch? Why is that ironic?

Chapter 11: Castle Rock
“Piggy sought in his mind for words to convey his passionate willingness to carry the conch against all odds.”
1.
On p155, how does Ralph want them to present themselves when they go to ask Jack to return Piggy’s glasses?
2.
Who never forgets their purpose in going to see Jack? Who needs to be reminded?
3.
How has the face paint changed the boys in Jack’s tribe?
4.
Describe what happens to Piggy. Be specific.
5.
What do we assume happens to Samneric at the end of the chapter?
Quotes
Discussion Questions
Do you think Ralph’s a good leader or not? Why? What are his good qualities and what are his weaker ones?
How do we see those in Chapter 11?
Why is Piggy’s death symbolic? What happens to the conch? What might that represent?
“Simon and Piggy can see that the boys are the true evil on the island, but because the boys cannot accept the truth, they kill these two truth-bearers.” Explain your thoughts on this statement.

Chapter 12: Cry of the Hunters
“The tears began to flow and sobs shook him.”
1.
What does Ralph do to the Lord of the Flies?
2.
What are Samneric doing in this chapter?
3.
What is the significance of Roger “sharpening a stick at both ends”? What do Samneric say about him?
4.
When Ralph is being hunted, he has 3 strategies. What are they? Which does he choose?
5.
How are the boys rescued? Why is this ironic?
6.
What do all the boys do at the end?
Quotes:
Discussion Questions
How do the boys appear to the naval officer? What does he ask them? How do they act here at the end?
Do you think this part at the end about hunting Ralph is realistic? Could that actually happen? Does it matter if it could happen? Does the theme still have relevance regardless?
How would this have been different if it were a group of girls? What about if they had been older? Would adults have done a better job of surviving?
How do you think you would respond in this situation? Which character do you think you’d be most like? Do you think that you personally have an innate sense of evil that would be revealed if civilization and society didn’t stop you?