Lord of the Flies Questions

Chapters 1-2

Identify each of the following characters:

Ralph

Piggy

Simon

Jack

Sam and Eric

Maurice

Roger

“The Little ‘Uns”

2. How did the boys happen to come to the island?

3. What do the boys have that is the symbol of authority in the society they form?

4. What does the reader learn about Jack when he slashed the green candle buds?

5. Why does Jack hesitate when he lifts his knife to kill the piglet, and what does he promise will happen next time he meets a pig?

6. Who are the hunters, and what is their job?

7. What does a little ‘un think he has seen in the forest?

8. How and why do the boys make fire?

9. Why does the boys’ plan for rescue fail?

Chapters 3-4

1. Although Ralph criticizes the boys for their lack of cooperation, does he bear some of the responsibility for the failures of the group to achieve its goals? Why or why not?

2. How has Jack’s personality developed during his stay on the island?

3. Ralph says of Simon, “He’s queer. He’s funny.” What kind of a boy is Simon?

4. After Maurice and Roger destroy the little ‘uns’ sand castles, Roger stalks the young boy named Henry. When he begins to throw stones, why does he just throw them near him instead of directly at him?

5. What causes the hunters, who had promised to keep the fire burning, to neglect it and allow it to go out?

6. Why does Jack paint his face?

Chapters 5-6

1. How does the author show us that Ralph is finally beginning to face realities of their existence?

2. Compare Ralph’s treatment of the little ‘uns with Jack’s.

3. What is Simon saying when he things the “beast” may be inside the boys themselves?

4. What do Sam and Eric tell the boys they have seen? What is it actually?

5. Why do Ralph and Jack decide to go find the beast?

Chapters 7-8

1. How does Ralph react when a boar comes charging down the path?

2. To what does Ralph’s demonstration of his hunting prowess lead?

3. What did the boys see on the mountain top?

4. Why is the action of the story increasingly taking place in the near darkness or in the deep night when only the moon and stars give a little light?

5. How does Ralph’s waning confidence in himself show in his words and actions?

6. Although he is not able to get the boys to vote Ralph out of office as chief, Jack manages to overthrow Ralph’s authority anyway. How?

7. Jack suggests a way to keep the beast happy. What is it?

8. Describe Simon’s strange encounter with the Lord of the Flies.

9. Who or what is the Lord of the Flies?

Chapters 9-11

1. What does Simon find when he finally reaches the Beast?

2. What happens to Simon when he returns to the group?

3. As a result of the storm with its high winds and high tides, what happens to the bodies of Simon and the parachutist?

4. What does Jack plan to steal from Ralph and Piggy?

5. What will Jack do if someone interferes with him?

6. What happens to the conch and to Piggy?

7. What are Jack’s plans for Ralph?

8. What course of action does Ralph take?

Chapter 12

1. What is Ralph’s reaction when he encounters the pig’s skull?

2. Driven by fear and hunger, Ralph manages to make contact with Samneric who are standing guard at Castle Rock. Of what do they warn him?

3. In what ways does the tribe try to hunt down Ralph?

4. What or who saves Ralph in the end?