Lord of the Flies by William Golding - Questions and Vocabulary
Chapter 1 - “The Sound of the Shell”
Vocabulary
efflorescence (p.12)
enmity (p.14)
decorous (p.15)
foliage (p.9)
multitude (p.7)
uninhabited (p.30)
chorister (p.22)
bastion (p.29)
hiatus (p.31)
mortification (p.23)
fulcrum (p.16)
contemptuously (p.30)
Questions
1. Why is this chapter called “The Sound of the shell”?
2. a) Who are the first two characters to appear in the novel and how old are they?
b) What is their attitude toward each other?
c) How are these two characters different (physically and mentally)?
d) From their conversation, what do we learn of their predicament? Why does Ralph think that
they might soon be rescued?
3. a) In what ways is the island a haven or paradise for the boys? In what ways is the
boys’ situation frightening?
b) What is the boys’ reaction to the island setting?
c) Are there any hints that this reaction might be an illusion? Provide specific examples of
images from Chapter 1 that show the island might not be a friendly place to be.
4. a) Describe the use of the conch. What does it become a symbol of?
b) Describe the choir which comes marching to the assembly. What physical characteristics
mark their leader, Jack? Is there anything that would suggest that Jack is a sinister character
right from the start?
c) Who is elected leader? Why?
d) The beginnings of government lie in chapter 1. How successful is this government likely to
be and why?
5. What is the “scar” that is repeatedly mentioned? What literary device does this represent?
6. Provide three examples of similes from Chapter 1.
7. Provide three examples of colloquialisms from Chapter 1.
8. Provide three examples of personification from Chapter 1.
9. Why is Jack unable to kill the pig? What effect does this encounter have on him?
10. Why do you suppose Golding chose to use British school boys as his main characters?
11. Why might Piggy be a nuisance to the other boys? What valuable contributions does he make to
the group?
12. Ralph and Jack appear to be the dominant figures among the boys. Contrast the two boys.
Which one makes a better leader and why?
13. A running image is an image which runs throughout a chapter or story and appears several
times. Give three examples of running images from Chapter 1.
14. What is the point of view of the novel?
Chapter 2 - “Fire on the Mountain”
Vocabulary
gesticulated (p.34)
ebullience (p.38)
scornfully (p.38)
recrimination (p.43)
grotesque (p.39)
contemptuously (p.42)
tumult (p.43)
tirade (p.45)
Questions
1. a) What are the first two things the boys feel are necessary on the island?
b) How are these necessities ironic?
c) Who attempts the task of making the rules?
d) Why are they necessary?
e) What do they represent?
2. What is the only definite rule that Ralph establishes at the second meeting?
3. What does Ralph promise them? How does he show ignorance here?
4. What is the cause of disquiet among the little ones?
5. What is the “snake thing”? What does it represent? What is the reaction of the boys to it? How do they make it
real?
6. Is the far side of the island really unfriendly? Why do they feel it is?
7. How do the boys manage to start the fire?
8. Why does Piggy howl with fear (literally and figuratively) when the boys take his glasses?
9. Piggy says they are acting like a crowd of kids when they shout with glee at starting the fire. Is he right? What
evidence confirms this? How is this ironic?
10. What does the fire on the mountain symbolize?
11. What happens to the boy with the mulberry-colored birthmark? Who gets blamed for this? What are we now
starting to feel about this “tropical paradise”?
12. By the end of the chapter, how many mistakes have the boys made?
13. Who seems to be the voice of reason on the island?
14. The boys are attempting to establish a new civilization on the island. What hints are there that these attempts will
not be successful?
Chapter 3 - “Huts on the Beach”
Vocabulary
oppressive (p.49)
declivity (p.54)
inscrutable (p.49)
tacit (p.55)
vicissitudes (p.49)
antagonism (p.51)
bewildered (p.54)
indignation (p.54)
Questions
1. What is significance of the title “Huts on the Beach”?
2. Why does Ralph reproach Jack?
3. What is the nature of the conflict between Ralph and Jack?
4. What two accomplishments does Ralph feel are most important for the boys to achieve?
5. What task does Jack concentrate on?
6. a) What type of language does William Golding use to describe the jungle in this chapter?
b) How does Jack feel in the jungle and why is this disturbing?
c) What does Golding seem to be comparing Jack to in this chapter?
7. What two groups with differing goals are emerging? What are their different goals?
8. Why is no one referring to the beast in the jungle by name?
9. Why does Simon go to the bower? What does he feel and experience while he is there?
10. Simon, like Jack, is unafraid of the jungle, but they are very different people. How does Golding make their
characters seem very different?
11. Discuss the different attitudes to life on the island of Ralph, Jack, and Simon.
12. What differences in character between Jack and Ralph are revealed through the arguments between them? Who do
you think is more in tune with most of the boys?