by
William Golding
Name: ______________________________
Background
World War II influenced the themes and setting of Lord of the Flies. The war changed the
way people in general and William Golding in particular viewed the world. World War I
was for many years called the War to End All Wars. World War II proved that idea
wrong and created a new sense that people are inherently warlike, power hungry, and
savage. Golding fought in World War II, and was involved in the D-Day landing at
Normandy. His experience in the war greatly influenced his views of human nature. After
the war, he began writing novels in addition to teaching. Lord of the Flies was Golding's
first novel, published in 1954, and was a critically acclaimed bestseller in both England
and the United States.
LITERARY DEVICES
Point of View:
Protagonist:
Antagonist:
Conflict:
Metaphors:
Symbols:
Themes:
Anticipation Guide
Agree or
Disagree
1. If there were no rules
in school, it would be
completely chaotic.
2. Everyone wants to feel
powerful.
3. Kids are crueler than
adults.
4. Kids are incapable of
doing the “right thing”
without supervision or
consequences.
5. Every single person
has done something
“evil” or has a “bad side.”
6. It is more important
for a leader to be strong
and confident than
thoughtful and logical.
7. The more someone
worries about “doing the
right thing,” the less
popular they are.
8. Everyone is capable of
harming someone else in
order to survive.
9. Men are naturally
more violent than
women.
10. It is in our nature to
be followers.
Why? Explain your answer
Pre-Reading: Rules Activity
Your plane has crash-landed on a deserted island. The only survivors are you, 5 other
teenagers and 3 elementary school children. In order to keep peace amongst yourselves
and get rescued, you must establish rules.
With your group, work to establish the rules that you think are necessary to survive, get
rescued and have a sense of order or peace. You must decide on the following things with
your group:






Who will be your group leader?
How was your leader chosen?
Who will create your rules?
How will the rules be created?
Why is each rule needed? What is the purpose of each one?
How will rules be enforced?
You will have two class periods to work with your group and devise a poster of your
rules.




The group leader will explain to the class how he or she came to be group leader
and how they would exert their leadership to be effective. Group leader will
devise a 2 minute speech to the class (note cards may be used)
2 people in your group will explain to the class how the rules were created and
why they were created.
2 people in your group will explain how the rules would be enforced and why
they would be enforced in this way.
All group members will write a reflection on this activity and complete an
anonymous survey.
Character Chart
Directions: In the boxes beneath each character, put a page number from the novel where
a character illustrates a given characteristic.
Character
Trait
Industrious
Loyal
Patronizing
Charismatic
Sadistic
Solitary
Intellectual
Manipulative
Obsessive
Persistent
Rational
Irrational
Feeble
Carefree
Slothful
Ralph
Jack
Simon
Piggy
Chapter 1: Discussion Questions
1. The boys discover there are no adults on the island and attempt to model the
civilization as they know it by electing a chief. How effective do you think this effort will
be without adult supervision?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Consider the cause of the conflict between Ralph and Jack. What does Ralph’s effort
to appease Jack tell you about his basic character? Is it likely that Jack will be content to
be second to Ralph? Why or why not?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think the boys chose Ralph as their leader?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 2: Discussion Questions
1. Consider Ralph’s announcement of the group’s two priorities. Are these the two
priorities you would choose? What other things do you think the group might need to
concern themselves with?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. What does Piggy realize about the little boy who had talked about the beastie?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Piggy thinks that the first thing the group should have done was build shelters on the
beach. Is this a valid point? Why or why not?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3: Discussion Questions
1. Simon finds a secluded place in the high jungle where he can be alone. Why do you
think he does this? What do you think this indicates about Simon?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Does Jack’s desire to kill a pig fit into either of the group’s two main priorities
established by Ralph? Is Jack concerned with the group’s welfare? Explain.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. What do Jack and Ralph feel as they look at each other in the pool? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 4: Discussion Questions
1. Watching the hunters dance and chant, Ralph feels envy and resentment. Why do you
think he is feeling these emotions? Of what is he envious? What does he resent?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Why do Maurice and Roger torment the littluns? What prevents them from actually
hurting the younger boys? Would their behavior be different if more time had passed?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. How does Ralph reassert his authority?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Lord of the Flies Vocabulary
Chapter 4
1. Opalescence
2. Incursion- invasion; raid
3. Scavengers- hunter; searcher
4. Involuntarily- against your will
5. Carcass- corpse; remains of a body
6. Blatant- obvious
7. Belligerence- hostility or aggression
8. Myriad- a large number; countless
9. Taboo- forbidden; unaccepted by society
10. Irked- irritate somebody
11. Malevolently- wanting to cause harm or evil; spitefully
12. Mirage- optical illusion; hallucination
13. Chastisement- punished or disciplined; told off
14. Detritus- debris or rock fragments
15. Swarthiness- darkness; a dark complexion
16. Disinclination- desire to avoid a particular activity
17. Gyration- circular movement
18. Impalpable- imaginary; unable to be touched or sensed
19. Vagrant- wanderer or drifter; roamer
20. Incredulously- unwilling to believe; skeptically
Chapter 5: Discussion Questions
1. What conclusion does Ralph come to about being a chief? What about his own ability?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. What does Piggy say about Jack’s feelings for him and for Ralph? What conclusion
does Piggy come to?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Ralph tells the group they should die before they let the fire go out? What does he
mean by the comment?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Lord of the Flies
Vocabulary Chapters 5-12
Chapter five
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Improvisation- making do
Jeer- to mock or scorn; heckle
Ludicrous- absurd or ridiculous
Subdued- passive; low-spirited
Inarticulate- unable to express
oneself clearly
Chapter Six
1.
2.
3.
4.
Oblong- having an elongated shape
Contemptuously- trembling; fearful
Clamor- shout loudly
Stupendous- impressively great;
astonishing
5. Mutinously- refusing to obey
Chapter Seven
1. Loiter- stand around idly
2. Accessible- easily available
3. Coverts- undergrowth providing
cover
4. Haunt-discomfit somebody by
unpleasant reminders
5. Impervious- not responsive
Chapter Eight
1. Serenading- love song
2. Prefect- student assisting with
discipline
3. Pelted- throw things at somebody
or something
4. Rebuke-tell somebody off
5. Fervor- great heat
Chapter Nine
1. Static- still; motionless
2. Parody- amusing imitation
3. Corruption- dishonesty for personal
gain
4. Corpulent- fat; obese
5. Succulent- juicy and tasty
Chapter Ten
1. Torrid- scorching hot
2. Illumination- glowing light
3. Assimilating- take in (information,
ideas, or culture) and understand
fully
4. Savoring- enjoy some unhurriedly
5. Compelled- force something to
happen
Chapter Eleven
1. Liberation-set somebody free
physically
2. Compact-small and efficiently
arranged
3. Wary- cautious
4. Detaining- hold in custody
5. Faltered- begin to fail
Chapter Twelve
1. Outcast-somebody excluded by
others
2. Acrid- unpleasantly strong; bitter
3. Eclipsed-outdo somebody or
something
4. Suppressed- prevent something
5. Inimical- hostile; not favorable
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 6: Discussion Questions
1. As the biguns, except for Piggy, set out to find the beast, what image of the beast
forms in Simon’s mind. What does this image mean?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. None of the boys, not even Ralph or Jack, doubts for a moment that Sam and Eric
have indeed seen a beast. Why are they all so ready to accept the presence of a beast?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Simon comments to Ralph that he doesn’t believe in the beast. Is Simon’s disbelief
reasonable?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
13
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 6: Class Notes
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
14
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 7: Discussion Questions
1. When Ralph strikes the boar on the snout with his spear, how does he feel?
Afterwards, he immediately jabs at Robert with his spear. What does he feel then? Is
there any connection between the two events? Explain.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. How would you describe the relationship between Ralph and Jack at this point? What
is the source of their conflict? Do you think Jack hates Ralph? If so, why?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. What does Ralph do when the boys start to play, putting Robert in the part of the
boar? What feeling does Ralph have? Why does Robert insist they need a real pig, rather
than someone to pretend to be a pig?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
15
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
In Class Response Question
Directions: Use at least 2 quotations from the novel and paraphrasing to support your
inferences in this response. Be sure to write a topic sentence and to make your argument
clear and specific.
Describe how Ralph changes in Chapter 7 of Lord of the Flies. Will these changes
positively or negatively impact his role as chief on the island? What do these changes and
the context in which they happen suggest about William Golding’s view of human
nature?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
16
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
Chapter 8: Discussion Questions
1. What does the Lord of the Flies say that Simon has known all along?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Throughout the novel, there has been conflict between Piggy and Jack. What do you
think is the cause of this conflict? Why is it significant that Piggy, for the first time, helps
gather firewood only after Jack has broken from the group? Why does Piggy feel
liberated?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Even though Jack enumerates Ralph’s faults, none of the boys is willing to oust Ralph
as chief. What explanation can you offer for this?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
17
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
Chapter 9: Discussion Questions
1. Who is the real “beast” on the island according to Simon? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Do the chanting, dancing boys recognize Simon? Why or why not?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. What happens to the figure on the mountaintop? What is the significance of the fall?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
18
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
In Class Activity: Tribe Organization
In one box, discuss and draw the organization of Jack’s tribe and his position in it. Then
discuss and draw the kind of organization Ralph tried to establish with the whole group.
How would you label each leader and each system?
Which would you prefer to be a member of? Explain why.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
19
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 10: Discussion Questions
1. When Ralph admits to Piggy that they all murdered Simon, what is Piggy’s
reaction?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Do you think Jack truly believes there is a beast? Why or why not? Does his
continuing to promote the existence of the beast to the others give him any advantage
over them?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. What is Jack feeling as he and the three others trot toward Castle Rock? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
20
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
Chapter 11: Discussion Questions
1. Why do the twins suggest they all paint their faces before going to see Jack?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Both Piggy and Ralph made the mistake of believing they could reason with Jack about
Piggy’s glasses and a need for a signal fire. Why was their thinking completely
misguided? What had Jack already clearly become?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. What happens to the conch, Piggy’s glasses, and Piggy himself? What do these three
things, and their loss, represent?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
21
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
Chapter 12: Discussion Questions
1. What realization does Ralph come to about the savages and Jack? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. When Ralph finally begins to sob uncontrollably, what is he weeping for?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think Golding describes the savages as “little boys on the beach” and
Jack in particular as a “little boy”? What point do you think he is trying to convey to the
reader with this shift in wording?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
22
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
Character Sketch Questions
Directions: Respond to each of the following questions from the point of view of the
character you will be playing.
1) Character: _________________________________________
2) Amount of time passed since the end of the novel: ________________________
3) Explain what you were feeling and thinking about during your journey home with
the Navy Seaman and the other boys?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4) What was your experience with violence on the island?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
23
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
5) How have your experiences on the island changed you?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
6) Is anyone to blame for what happened on the island? Explain why or why not.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
7) How did your family react to your return? How have you been getting along with
them?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
24
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
8) If you could go backwards in time and change one event from your life, what
would it be? Explain why.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
9)
Write five to ten other facts or details about your character. Make them interesting!
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
25
Name:______________________________
Date: ______________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
26