Lord of the Flies Chapter 1-3

What did the boys determine ast the top of the mountain? How do they seem to feel about this?

At the peak of the mountain, they determined that they are, as they thought, on an island. They seem to feel excited, although they are very uncomfortable, they have a enjoyment feeling of knowing they can do whatever they want and please.

How does the narrator describe the relationship between Ralph and Jack?

He describes their relationship as a love and hate relationship meaning. That despite the love they have for each other they still have a ton of hatred and vice versa.

In what ways is Piggy the voice of reason?

He gives the boys a sense of reality and makes them realize that lighting the fire will not be a way for people to find them and come rescue them but a way to set the whole island on fire

With its benign climate, fresh water, and abundant fruit, the island could seem like a Garden of Eden. That is until the little boy comes forward. What element does he introduce? How does he describe it? What is meant by the following description: "the small boy twisted further into himself"?

He introduces the "beastie". The beastie is a snack in which he saw in the dark on the island. It introduces a fear in the little boy which may be true or just part of his imagination. The description is to explain to us and show us how great the little boy's fear of the "beastie" truly is and its just not something minor.

What comparison is made in this quotation: "They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling..."?

It compares the difference of the two leaders, Ralph and Jack, and how they lead and use their control and power.

On what ominous note does this chapter end?

It ends with the little 6 year hearing the snakes again and a rumbling coming up the mountain. This makes me believe that there are in fact snakes and they aren't just their imagination.

What conclusion does Jack reach about the pig and what plan does he formulate? What confusion do Jack and Ralph have?

JAck reaches the conclusion that the pigs in the midst of day go to the top of the mountain, so they can sleep. Jack plans to paint his face and to creep on them when they are asleep. There is a confusion between the two because of Jack's excitement. Ralph thinks he is excited because he sees a ship nearby. But actually he is more concerned about hunting the pigs.

When Jack is hunting or talking about hunting, what kind of look does he have? What does this seem to signify?

Jack appears to have an angry look in his eyes. This seems to signify that he is building an obsession with hunting and killing these pigs, it also shows his savagery compared to the other boys.

Jack wants his choir to be the hunters, but he fails to kill the piglet. Why?

Jack fails to kill the Piglet because he hesitates with pity for the Piglet. He cannot act savagely enough to kill a piglet as well, for he is just a young boy. Although he claims he just couldn't find the right spot we know that is not true.

What implied vow does Jack make?

Jack vows that next time he will kill an animal, and that he will show no mercy in doing so.

What are Jack's feelings about rules?

Jack's true feelings about the rules shows he is not really considered in himself abiding them, but using them as punishment for the other boys. When he declares the rule of the conch shell and when someone raises it that no one else shall speak other than himself. This shows his want to control the other boys and make them follow whatever he has to say.

Who is Merridew and what is our first impression of him?

Merridew is the leader of the choir boys. Our first impression is that he is strict, he likes having authority and he likes using his authority in nature.

When Merridew finds out that there are no adults on the island, why does he reject the name Jack?

Merridew rejects his name Jack upon realization of no adults on the island because the name "Merridew" to him gives him more authority over the other boys and makes him stick out.

At this point, what is the relationship between Ralph and Jack?

Ralph and Jack's relationship seems very mutual and peaceful. Besides the slight tension when the leader was being selected, they seem overall fine with each other.

In what sense do Ralph and Piggy make one whole boy while dealing with the conch?

Ralph and Piggy create one whole boy while using the conch shell by combining Piggy's intellect and Ralph's bravery.

What does Piggy reluctantly contribute to the fire?

They use his glasses to start the fire. Although Piggy does not want them to use his glasses the boys decide to pry them right off his face.

How do we know that Piggy's place in this island society is going to be similar to his status in England? What do you think his situation was there ?

We know that Piggy's status in this new society is going to be similar to how he was treated in England because of the immediate mockery made of him. I believe his situation in England was very similar and that there he was always treated like "the butt of the jokes".

What do they spot in the sand, and what is the first reaction of the boys?

In the sand, the boys spot a conch shell. Their first reaction (more Piggy's) is to use it as a way to communicate and find out if there are more people on the island besides them.

How does the conch become the visible symbol of authority?

It becomes the visible symbol of authority because unless you possess the conch you cannot speak at the meetings and no one else can speak while you hold the conch.

Who are the boys that appear out of the jungle what do they do?

Multiple boys appear out of the jungle, Johnny (6 year old) and the twins Eric+Sam. Besides these few there is a group called "choir boys". This group is led by Merridew. Merridew asks who had played the trumpet. When it turns out it wasn't a trumpet at all just Ralph and the conch.

Describe the other boy, Piggy?

Piggy is a very insecure boy. He is on the heavier side, he wears glasses and he has asthma. Piggy is an intellectual than Ralph and has much more common sense.

In what two ways does Ralph disappoint Piggy?

Ralph initially disappoints Piggy, by revealing his nickname to the other boys in which Ralph knew that Piggy was ashamed of. He then secondally disappoints him when he doesn't appoint him as one of the boys to go on the expedition with him.

Why is Ralph getting frustrated?

Ralph is becoming frustrated because very little progress is being made on the shelters, only 2 of all the shelters have been fully completed and his shelter has even fallen.

In addition to being a shelter from the weather, in what symbolic way does Ralph think that the shelters are important?

Ralph symbolically sees the shelters of having importance because he thinks that the younger boys will feel more safe and secure from their fear of the beastie. He thinks it will prevent the nightmares they have been experiencing and help them overcome this fear.

Although Piggy seemed to be the smartest and Jack is an obvious leader, why is Ralph elected chief?

Ralph was selected as leader because of his overall appearance compared to the rest of the boys and the fact that he blew the conch shell which brought them all together as one

Why does Ralph's talk of rescue sound naive or innocent?

Ralph's talk of rescue seems naive because he believes that his father will just know where he is because he is a military official. When in reality he will not because Ralph himself doesn't even know where they are.

What is the fair boy's attitude when he realizes that there may be no grown-ups on the island? How do you know?

Ralph, the fair-boy's, attitudes when he realizes there are no grown-ups on the island is excitement and happiness. We know this because he smiles and he enthusiastically announces that there are no grown-ups

Of Simon, Ralph says: "He's queer. He's funny." In what way is Simon different from the others?

Simon differs from the others because he seems like more of an introvert. He is more observant and sensitive compared to the other boys.

What function does the clearing by the lagoon, described as a platform, seem to have assumed?

The Clearing by the lagoon assumed the meeting place where all the boys come together and discuss what they have to do and make rules.

How did the boys come to be on the island?

The boys came to be on the island because they were in a plane crash that landed them there. We aren't sure why or how the plane crashed, we only know that the boys are on the island because of it.

What is causing friction between Ralph and Jack?

The cause of the friction between Jack and Ralph is because of Jack thinking he is helping by hunting. While Ralph feels it doesn't forward them more and that they need to be more focused on constructing their shelter. It also shows that there is a rivalry between them because of the want for power and control.

What is the first act of willful destruction?

The first act of willful destruction is when they tip over a rock, which then plants a meaning full sized hole in the forest below.

Ralph, the fair boy, seems to delight in being on the island and he swims and plays in the lagoon. What seems to be the concern of the other boy?

The other boy is concerned about the realistic issues they will face without grown ups. He is worried about them starving, finding food, and their general survival on the island without grownups.

The island is described as being "roughly boat shaped." What does this image bring to mind regarding the boys?

This brings to mind that they are all stuck in this "boat" together. They must learn how to live with each other and fend for themselves so they can survive.

How can we see that Jack is used to commanding?

We see that Jack (Merridew) is comfortable with commanding through the action he takes. We can also view his leadership skills in the group of "choir boys", and how he leads them very stict and uniformly.