Lord of the Flies Study Guide
Chapter 1
1.
2.
How do the boys arrive on the island? What are the boys wearing?
During this initial meeting of Piggy and Ralph, Piggy appears to do most of the talking.
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Why is it such a one-sided conversation?
Why do you think Piggy is prepared to reveal so many personal things to Ralph, a
complete stranger?
How does Ralph respond to Piggy?
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4.
What impressions does the reader gain of Ralph in these opening pages?
When Piggy and Ralph find the conch, it is Piggy who recognizes its usefulness. For what purpose
is the shell used? The conch can be seen as a symbol for authority. Why?
5. How is the choir initially described?
6. Describe Jack.
7. Why do you think Ralph betrays Piggy by telling the others his nickname?
8. What is Jack’s reaction to being beaten in the vote?
9. Which boys go to explore the island? Who is deliberately excluded, and why?
10. Why doesn’t Jack kill the pig he caught in the creepers?
Chapter 2
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How does Ralph attempt to establish order and authority?
What is the general attitude of the boys about their plight?
How does Piggy's view differ from the rest of the group?
The concept of the beast is first introduced in this chapter.
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5.
6.
How does Ralph respond to the idea of the Beast?
How does Jack respond?
How do their different responses reflect their different personalities and views of life?
The conflict of authority between Ralph and Jack surfaces over the beast and the fire. How does
Jack assert his authority?
How does Ralph re-establish authority after the fire gets out of control? What does this suggest
about his strength of character?
Chapter 3
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5.
What is Jack doing at the beginning of Chapter 3?
All the hunters but Jack have gone where?
Why do Jack and Ralph disagree? What is most important to Ralph? What is most important to
Jack?
Who helps get the littluns fruit? How could this be important?
At the end of the chapter, where does Simon go?
Chapter 4
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Percival, Johnny, and Henry are building sandcastles. What do Roger and Maurice do? After
their first actions, what does Roger do to Henry?
How has Roger changed since landing on the island?
Who is affected by the “taboo of the old life”? What is the author trying to say?
How is Jack “liberated from the shame of self-consciousness”?
Why do the littluns always obey the summons of the conch?
Why aren’t the boys rescued by the passing ship? Whose fault is this?
After joining Ralph on the mountaintop, at whom is Jack mad? Why?
Which boy was missing when the great fire began? What can we assume happened to him?
Chapter 5
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6.
Ralph brings up four major concerns at the assembly. Describe these concerns.
Jack says there is no beast. What reasons does he give for saying so?
Who scared the littlun by walking around in the jungle at night? Why was he out of the hut?
Who are the littluns who hold the conch and speak about the beast at the assembly?
What does Simon think about the beast?
Why does Piggy tell Ralph not to give up being chief?
Chapters 6 and 7
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2.
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8.
What is the “sign that came down from the world of grown-ups”?
What does Simon predict as he talks to Ralph?
How does Ralph react?
Describe the hunt that takes place in this chapter.
How does Ralph react to the first hunt in which he participates?
What game do the boys play after the hunt?
Ralph asks Jack, “Why do you hate me?” What is Jack’s response?
Which boys climb the mountain to see the beast? What is their reaction?
Chapter 8
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9.
Who blows the conch for the assembly? Why?
How do the rest of the boys react to the suggestion that Jack replace Ralph as leader?
What is the main disagreement between Ralph and Jack?
How does Piggy change with Jack’s departure?
What does Jack tell his band of followers about the beast?
Jack and his tribe go on a hunt. How does the hunt in this chapter differ from earlier ones?
What do the hunters do with the head of their kill?
What is the Lord of the Flies? What might it symbolize?
What does Simon realize that the other boys are unable to grasp?
Chapter 9
1. What does Simon discover about the ape-like beast? How does he feel when he makes the
discovery?
2. Why do you think Simon released the tangled parachute lines? What does this show you about
him?
3. Why do Ralph and Piggy say they want to go to the pig roast? Why do they really go?
4. On page 149, when Ralph and Piggy come upon Jack’s party, what is it that “breaks the ice”
again?
5. Jack “looked down from behind his paint at Ralph and Piggy” (150). What does that line suggest
about his character?
6. Why don’t the boys realize they are attacking Simon?
7. As they attack the beast, how are the boys described?
Chapter 10
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How does Ralph feel the morning after Simon is killed?
Examine the conversation between Ralph and Piggy concerning Simon’s death. How does Ralph
react? Piggy? After Samneric come back from gathering wood, “the air was heavy with unspoken
knowledge” (158). What does the author mean?
How does Jack’s leadership style differ from Ralph’s?
Why does Jack have Wilfred beaten?
Ralph tries to motivate Sam and Eric to keep the fire going, but he finds he can’t remember what
is good about the fire. Why not? What do you think is happening to him?
Why does Jack’s group attack the four boys in their hut?
During the attack, it seemed to Ralph that there were a dozen others. Why?
Chapter 11
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Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to go to Jack’s fort?
Do you think Piggy is aware of just how far Jack and his followers have degenerated from
civilization? Briefly explain.
How can you be sure Jack is no longer playing a game?
Why does Piggy feel he has a right to be heard?
Under what circumstances does Piggy die?
Why is Piggy’s death equated to the slaughter of the pigs?
How does Jack react to Piggy’s death?
Chapter 12
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Where does Ralph go after Piggy’s death & the twins’ capture?
Where does Ralph get his weapons?
Describe how Jack and his boys treat Samneric.
Describe Ralph’s frantic flight.
Describe how Ralph is saved at the last possible moment.
Explain the significance of what the naval officer says to the boys. What does he think he is
seeing?
What are the “end of innocence” and “the darkness of man’s heart”?
Explain the irony of the fact that the naval ship was signaled to the island by the fire meant to
smoke Ralph out.