Peiod 2: Tuesday, 10/27
REMINDER
• Chapter 1 Quiz
• Vocab Quiz on chapters 1-2.
• Due Thursday by 11:59 PM—Research Paper
Final Draft
1. Why is the chapter entitled “The
Sound of the Shell”?
• This chapter is entitled “The Sound of the Shell”, for all
of the boys on the island come together as a result of
the noise Ralph makes by blowing into a sea shell.
• The conch becomes a symbol of authority and
attention.
• Whenever a boy has the conch in his hand, he is able
to speak to the rest of the group without interruptions.
• Although it is only a small tangible item, the shell may
become a very important aspect of the boys’ survival
on the island.
2. What is Ralph’s attitude toward
Piggy in the first chapter?
• At first, Ralph is indifferent, while Piggy is
pathetically eager to make friends. He even
trusts Ralph w/ the secret of his nickname & is
terribly hurt when Ralph betray him.
• At this point in the story, Piggy’s intelligence
has little value to Ralph.
• His intelligence is ignored and he becomes an
object of derision b/c of his physical defects.
3. What is the significance of Piggy’s
plea to join the expedition?
• Piggy’s plea to join the expedition represents his
desperation to “fit in” with the rest of the boys.
This is presumably an issue that Piggy has dealt
with back home, for his nickname suggests that
he is often excluded from groups.
• He would love to walk by Ralph’s side and feel like
a member of authority, but once again, his peers
have stereotyped him as an outcast and left him
behind.
4. Why is Ralph elected chief?
• He’s physically the leader “type” = tall,
athletic, attractive. His size gives him an aura
of adulthood on the adultless island.
• He summoned the group together w/ the
conch; his election reflects the boys’
dependence at this point on civilization &
“grown-ups.”
5. What is the “scar” that is repeatedly
mentioned?
• The scar mentioned in this story is mark on
the island that the plane made when it landed
or crashed. It is referred to as a scar perhaps
because it is man-made rather than an act of
nature.
• Symbolically, the scar represents the evil that
the boys bring with them to an otherwise
perfect natural surrounding.
6. Why is Jack unable to kill the pig?
• He’s restrained by the teachings of society,
realizing that to shed blood has always been
taboo.
• He tries to break loose from these bonds by
making excuses for his “failure” & by swearing
that next time he’ll kill w/o mercy.
7. What do Piggy, Simon, and the
littlun with the birthmark have in
common?
• They’re the only ones described as physically
defective
– Simon has epileptic fits
– Piggy is asthmatic and near-sighted
– the littlun has a large birthmark
8. How is Jack presented to the
reader?
• He marches in, issues rough commands to the choice, and
expects unquestioning obedience. Commanding, selfish
• Physical Features: described as unpleasant with red hair
(superstitious clue to bad temper). He & choir are wearing
black cloaks  first appearance is one of darkness
(something sinister).
• When Simon faints, Jack’s lack of concern is a clue into his
character.
• He is rude to Piggy but acknowledges the strength in
Ralph’s personality.
• He seems temporarily appeased by being given control of
the choir when Ralph is elected chief.
9. Why did Golding use British school
boys?
• They represent the very best civilization can
offer:
– They come from well-bred families
– attend private schools
– have been oriented by an orderly national
structure.
• Rather than street hoodlums or wanderers
from a primitive country – they are products
of the very highest form of culture.
10. How is Piggy revealed as most
closely tied to the world of adults?
• He makes constant references to his auntie, never
stops thinking of rescue, & can find no worse
epithet for the irrational behavior of the other
boys than to accuse them of acting like “kids.”
• His intelligence, which might be respected in the
outside world, is scorned on the island, and his
glasses, a product of the outside world, are
necessary for his survival.
• While the other boys find some fun in being
released from adult supervision for a while,
Piggy’s standards remain fixed by his previous life.
11. How is Piggy indirectly responsible for
the blowing on the conch?
• It’s his intelligence which provides the idea for
using the conch to summon the others &
instructs Ralph in how to blow it (although he
himself lacks the physical strength to do it).