Lord of the Flies

At the beginning of the chapter most the boys are changing the situation of the island into something good and positive, but some of the boys are turning wild or savage by being deserted on an island.

Describe the behavior of the boys at the beginning of the chapter. What thematic significance does this scene have?

Jack acts like a dictator. He hates that Ralph is chief. His main priority is hunting and killing animals and he intimidates others.

Discuss the change in Jack‟s personality that is described at the beginning of the chapter. What is Jack‟s highest priority, and what does this tell us about him?

The thematic significance is that the boys are becoming wild and they are turning a bad situation into a positive one, but the boys innocence is slowly turning into craziness.

Discuss the thematic significance of the title of chapter 4

It is significant because Percival has said this address over and over again when he was at home in Britain. It's like reciting the act of civilization for the boys. However, now on the island civilization has slowly faded, they've turned into different things.

Explain the significance of this quotation: "Percival Wemys Madison sought in his head for an incantation that had faded clean away."

The boys appearances and word choice has changed. They forget about the way they used to live and have adapted to island life. They have developed nicknames for the twins and a dresscode. This shows that they are beginning to establish a culture of their own.

How are the all of the boys except Ralph and Simon (and Jack) behaving? What is Golding telling us about human nature? What important qualities do Ralph, Simon, and Piggy have that the other boys seem to lack?

The boys arrive on the island because they are ejected from a plane before it crashes. Some clues include the men of war and a pilot.

How did the boys arrive on the island? What clues (throughout the entire first chapter) are revealed about the setting?

Ralph and Piggy summon the others by blowing into a conch shell that they find on the island.

How do Ralph and Piggy summon the other others on the island? What do they do and what happens?

They both want to deny having to do with Simon's death They don't want Samneric to know they were there. Ralph isn't taking the death well and he is always laughing about anything and everything. Piggy noticed Ralph slipping away from their civilization but Piggy's needs Ralph to stay rational and lead everyone off the island.

How do Ralph and Piggy view Simon‟s death? How does each of them react to it? Why does Ralph laugh as he says, "I got the conch," and why does Piggy react so strongly to his laughter? What explanations do they have for their behavior, and what excuses do they come up with? What do these reactions show about them and about human nature?

A lot of the boys aren't listening to Ralph and they want to stay at the "castle". All the boys want to have fun and Ralph is trying to be responsible.

How do most of the boys react to their discovery of the "castle"? What foreshadowing takes place at the end of the chapter?

Jack is called a proper chief because he's devised a way to protect themselves on Castle Rock. This shows the need for security even if it's in violent forms.

How do the biguns seem to define a "proper chief"? What does this criterion suggest about human psychology?

The hunters chant to kill the pig and slit its throat. They are happy that they did it and the boys are beginning to act wild and are gaining confidence about living on the island without adults.

How do the hunters behave in response to the success of the hunt, and what is the significance of this behavior?

He thinks of the idea to move the fire; its significant because he's the only one that would have the intellect to think of that/has a voice to group since Jack is gone.

How does Piggy show "intellectual daring"? Why is this so significant to the boys?

Ralph gives the hungers a task of keeping the fire going and it shows that he wasn't afraid to assert dominance and give orders to others.

How does Ralph "assert his chieftainship" after the argument with the hunters? Why do you think this gesture is so effective?

Ralph reminds the boys about the fire and how it's important to keep it going. Jack ends up listening to Ralph because no one is on his side.

How does Ralph overcome Jack‟s challenge during the discussion about what to do about the beast?

The snake thing represents the fear of all of the boys turning dark. The beast is always hiding in the dark and can strike whenever. This relates to the boys losing their innocence.

How does the talk of the "beasties" affect the boys? What are Ralph and Jack's responses to this? Consider the little boy‟s description of the creature, the discussion of nightmares, Ralph‟s feeling that he is "facing something ungraspable" when confronted with this problem, and his need to repeat loudly that, "there isn‟t a beast."

Jack is aggresive and intimidating. He is obsessed with killing the pig. He constantly wants approval from the other boys. He torments the pig. His behavior may foreshadow him into turning evil.

How has Jack's behavior changed? What might this suggest about him? What might this foreshadow?

The destruction of the conch symbolizes the boys failing to establish any type of civilization. The transition of good choir boys to complete animals.

How is the desctruction of the conch symbolically significant?

At first they see Ralph as a strong leader who represents authority and a passageway to an adult world. Then the twins see the real side of him: scared b/c he wants to go back home and has lost everything.

In what way are the twins "seeing Ralph for the first time" before they all set off for Castle Rock?

I believe that is showing that Jack wants to gain control of all the boys in the group and win over the boys who aren't already with him, such as Ralph and Piggy. This is also meant to show the boys that he is a kind leader and will share around even with people who haven't joined with him. This could also help to persuade Ralph and Piggy to join with Jack.

What are the purpose and effect of Jack‟s generosity with the meat he and the hunters obtained? What do you think his decision to give meat to even Ralph and Piggy is meant to show?

Ralph feels that his leadership position is being threatened and now being saved isn't the main priority. Ralph's values are now gaining the littluns attention.

What change has come over Ralph as a result of the signal fire incident? How have his values changed?

After the group of hunters and Ralph encounter the pig, they pretend that Robert is the pig and jab at him with their spears. They chant "Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!". Even Ralph was fighting to get near, the desire to hunt taking control of his actions. Poor Robert is actually in pain and shouts for them to stop, and after a while they do, leaving him on the ground. This event shows that even Ralph is starting to become savage, and possibly hints that he too will eventually become like Jack and the hunters as the story progresses.

What disturbing thing do the group of hunters and Ralph do immediately after their encounter with the pig? How is Ralph‟s behavior surprising? What does this behavior foreshadow?

Jack suggest that they just forget about the beast and celebrate by killing a pig this shows that human nature can be very irresponsible.

What do Jack and the biguns first decide to "do" about the beast, and what does this say about human nature? Think back to question # 2.

I think Jack still holds a grudge against Ralph for being elected chief and for getting the power of the conch. I think sharpened a stick at both ends means that he wanted to kill Ralph.

What do Samneric mean when they tell Ralph that Jack has "sharpened a stick at both ends"? What do you think the reason for Jack's hatred is?

The boys' reaction to the no grownups is that they are excited, which shows that they are made to oppose authority. All of the boys constantly want to be accepted and be part of the group, this shows that humans never want to be left out.

What do the boy's attitudes and actions (e.g. Ralph's joy at being free of "grownups," the vote for leader, Ralph's telling the other boys about Piggy's nickname) reveal about human nature?

They reveal themes like: man vs nature, loss of innocence, and man (Piggy) vs. society.

What do the events of these first two chapters reveal about the major themes of the novel?

Piggy's glasses represent the view of science and intelligence in society. He has the innovative idea to use them to light the fire. When Jack's hunters steal the glasses used to light the fire, Ralph's tribe is helpless.

What do you think Piggy‟s glasses might represent? Consider their normal function, the use they are put to in this chapter, Piggy‟s intelligence, and Piggy‟s helplessness without them.

He leaves the group unannounced, showing that he is not ruled by society but by an inner force. He could be compared to Jesus Christ and Catholic faith.

What do you think Simon might represent or symbolize? Explain

The conch symbolizes power and the sound of the shell symbolizes unison because it gathers the boys as one group.

What do you think the "sound of the shell" and the conch itself might symbolize?

Jack and Ralph are going to fight a lot more and push from one another. Ralph wants to be rescued and gives the littluns hope. He was mad because they were close to being rescued with the fire but it wasn't seen.

What do you think will result from the open conflict between Jack and Ralph and from Jack‟s success at getting meat? What is the significance of the boys‟ reaction to being able to eat meat, and how does this compare to their reaction about having missed a chance to be rescued?

Jack ties up Wilfred to beat him up for no reason. Roger believe this to be irresponsible and shows no good authority.

What does Jack do that causes Roger to have doubts about his leadership?

Jack has no care for the rules and just says, "who cares".

What does Jack say in response to Ralph‟s comments? Why do you think Ralph is shocked?

He believes the beast lives in the sea because the boys have knowledge of undiscovered creatures in the sea.

What does Percival say when Jack asks him where the beast lives? Why do you think he says this?

Piggy always has logical explanations, especially when he provides an explanation behind the fear to ground the boys.

What does Piggy mean by his claim that "life is scientific"? What does he mean when he suggests that "there isn‟t no fear, either[...]unless we get frightened by people"?

He calls the hunter boys armed with sticks. He criticizes Ralph's way of law and tries to get rid of Ralph as a leader with everyone's support. He leaves to go off on his own, this suggest that the boys might have a hard time without him getting food.

What does Ralph say that angers Jack? How does Jack express his anger? How does Jack respond to his failure to get support from the group, and what does this response suggest about the boys‟ future?

"It was furry. There was something moving behind its head—wings" "Teeth—claws". Our minds are our worst enemies.

What does Sam and Eric‟s description of the beast tell us about human psychology?

Simon says the beast is hidden in the darkness of human nature which shows saveragy and evil among the boys.

What does Simon say about the beast, and what do you think he means? How does everyone else react to what he says?

Simon predicts Ralph will get home okay. Ralph jokes, "got a ship in your pocket?" Simon says that he just thinks Ralph will be okay. This may foreshadow that Ralph will be okay in the end.

What does Simon say to Ralph that makes them both smile? Think carefully about Simon‟s choice of words—do you think it foreshadows something that might happen later in the novel?

The narrator is suggesting the boys are trying to forget and not remember who were apart of the dance where Simon was killed. They are ashamed of Simon dying even though it was deemed an accident.

What does the narrator mean to suggest when he says, "Memory of the dance that none of them had attended shook all four boys convulsively"?

He recalls things about himself that he didn't discover, such as biting his nails, he accidentally says out load "I'll be sucking my thumb next". He just happens to think of a habit he could get into and has no intention behind it, although if one of the boys had have overheard him, they would think of him as weak and scared. They probably would've made fun of him. The fact that he is talking to himself shows that he is quite lonely.

What embarrassing thing does Ralph say to himself near the beginning of the chapter that he‟s afraid someone might have overheard? What does he mean by it? What change in Ralph does the act of talking to himself demonstrate?

Most of the boys understand what the did to Simon and do believe it is wrong. They are trying to justify what they did by saying Simon was the beastie. Their mentality allowed them to have lust for blood. Jack seems to be in denial by telling everyone that they didn't kill Simon.

What feelings, beliefs, and speculations do Jack‟s biguns have about what happened the night before at the feast? Can you explain why they did what they did? Why are they "half- relieved, half-daunted by the implication of further terrors"? Consider the significance of the quotes below, especially the second one. What unspoken words complete the first sentence? "But didn‟t we, didn‟t we—"‟ „"No!"‟ "How could we—kill—it?" "Each savage flinched away from his individual memory." „"I expect the beast disguised itself."

He leaves the pig right where they killed it and flies are now swarming it. This was foolish because now they can't eat it.

What foolish decision does Jack make during the hunt, and why is it foolish?

They want to burn the thicket in which Ralph is hiding. This suggests that savagery has completely taken over their minds and destroyed their power of reason. They didn't even take into consideration that it might risk all their lives, and possibly kill them.

What foolish method do the boys use to ensure that they find Ralph? What does this decision suggest about the power of hatred and violence versus the power of reason?

Simon begins to hallucinate. He sees the pig head and thinks its talking to him its saying "i am the lord of the flies", "I'm part of you?" He faints after he sees and hears it. The pig head represents that the evil is actually within them and that Simon was right all along.

What happens to Simon after the hunters leave his clearing? What is the "lord of the flies"? What does it represent? How does it talk to Simon—what does its speech really indicate?

Piggy was the boys' best chance of getting rescued / surviving. He was organized and smart. Jack and Ralph gain immediate respect because Jack is aggressive and Ralph is adult-like.

What hypocritical irony is there in the boys‟ treatment of Piggy in contrast with their treatment of Ralph and Jack? What does this fact suggest about human nature?

The fire is supposed to be a signal fire but it soon gets out of control and kills a boy. The drum roll is the path of destruction they are now heading down.

What is ironic about consequences of the boys‟ decision to light a fire? In light of these consequences, what do you think it and the "drum-roll" represent?

It's ironic that they are saved by a naval officer because that's all that Ralph hoped for and now he got what he wanted. I think Golding wrote about British boys because the British are meant to be proper and civilized. There are high expectations from them as Britishers and they let down those ideals.

What is ironic about how the boys are saved? What is ironic about the fact that the boys, who have become savages, are British, and why do you think Golding chose to write about a group of British boys? Consider what the naval officer says: "I should have thought that a pack of British boys would have been able to put up a better show than that."

They both have opposite ideas and priorities but they both believe that they're right. Ralph wants to build shelter and Jack wants to hunt.

What is making it difficult for Ralph and Jack to communicate and get along? Where do you think their differences will lead?

It's the dead pilot that had landed on the island with them.

What is the "beast from air"? How is it appropriate that the boys mistake it for a beast— what connection does it have with the novel‟s themes, and what does it symbolize?

The "beast" that the boys killed is actually Simon, who knew the truth about the beast and represents the answer to their insanity. This event is symbolic as the boys have become too fearful, primitive, and eager for blood, and as a consequence, have destroyed their only salvation.

What is the "beast" that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the "beast," but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?

This encounter shows how innocent the boys are because they don't want to kill the pig. Jacks hesitation and then saying he wants to kill the pig shows that he might turn into a savage later.

What is the significance of the boy's encounter with the wild piglet?

He talks about building a shelter, fire, and lavatory uses. Then he address the beast and shows vulnerability by saying he is fearful of the beast. After that Ralph tries to establish authority before his power becomes Jack's.

What points does Ralph make at the meeting? What general point does he make that he wants people to discuss? Why are these points so significant?

The rule is that whoever has the conch is the one to speak.

What rule about the conch is made? What significance do you think this will have?

Simon sees the beast within everyone but everyone rejects his opinion.

What significant thoughts does Simon have about the beast while the boys are walking to the "castle"?

The boys are stressed when recalling the events from the night before. They are fearful when noises are made in their sleep and when they are attacked by Jack and his savages. The boys are stress and scared.

What signs of stress and fear can we see in Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric‟s behavior in this chapter?

He suggests that they come face to face with the beast because he wants them to see that the beast is not a real alive animal.

What suggestion does Simon make, and why do you think he makes it? What does he mean when he says, "What else is there to do?" What are the consequences of the group‟s decision not to follow Simon‟s suggestion? Lord of the Flies Study Questions Page 4 © 2001 and 2008 C. Brantley Collins, Jr.

He begins giving up hope at being rescued he is telling himself that they will all come back.

What unusual thing happens to Ralph after Jack leaves and after he realizes most of the biguns have left? What is the significance of his reaction?

He first hides in a thicket and then under a enclosed bush area under a canopy tree. This symbolizes not only the isolation of the world, but he's mostly under something, going down, symbolizing the transformation into savagery.

Where does Ralph decide to hide? What does this hiding place symbolize?

Simon is described as a skinny, vivid little boy, who meditates. He faints, which some cultures have believed is a sign of connecting with the spiritual world. Simon seems to be connected with nature, and he has an innate, spiritual goodness. When Simon leaves the group, he walks deeper into the forest and eventually finds a thick jungle glade, a peaceful, beautiful open space full of flowers, birds, and butterflies. Simon looks around to make sure that he is alone, then sits down to take in the scene, or "meditate".

Who is Simon? Where does he go and what does he do there?

The rules show democracy and keep everyone together.

Why are the rules so important to Ralph? What are the consequences of breaking them?

The boys make a fire to act as a signal for their rescue. They use Piggy's glasses as a "burning glass" to start the fire with the sun's rays.

Why do the boys want to start a fire? How do they finally get a fire to start?

They decided to paint themselves in clay and charcoal so the pigs won't see them. This makes the boys look wild and hide them from their actions. The makeup they wear symbolizes a mask that doesn't make them feel guilty about their actions.

Why do the hunters decide to "paint" themselves with clay and charcoal? What effect does doing this have on their behavior, and why? Does this "makeup" have any symbolic meaning?

Each boy wants control, so to look for the beast after dark up the mountain shows the extremes the boys will go to for this power and even the survival of the fittest.

Why do you think Golding (the author) plotted the story so that the boys would go up the mountain in the dark?

I think that Golding made the 'beast' fly off the island because I think he wanted to show what will happen to the boys even when what they fear is gone. The boys have so far kept away from the beast so I doubt they will go back to check it is still there. This means the boys will be worrying over a nonexistent problem. I think simon was washed away because the spiritually he had was being washed away and lost from the island. It is also washing away the knowledge that there was nothing to fear and this could lead the boys to spiral down further.

Why do you think Golding decided to have the "figure" fly over the boys on the beach and into the sea? Why do you think he had Simon‟s body get washed away, and what does this represent in a psychological sense?

The theme that this goes off of is the inner evil of all. Ralph, Simon, and Piggy are mostly pure, so they don't fear the beastie. The littluns haven't discovered the unknown yet and Jack is battling something inside his own head.

Why do you think Jack and the littluns (and others, probably) have fears about a "beastie," but Ralph, Simon, and Piggy don‟t? What theme does this suggest?

I think Jack wants to go up the mountain even though it's already dark because he wants to prove to everyone that he's not afraid of anything. Ralph feels conflicted about the decision to go up the mountain in the dark because he knows it's dangerous and they could get hurt but he still wants to go to prove that he's as brave as Jack, so nobody loses faith in him as a leader.

Why do you think Jack insists on going up the mountain to look for the beast even though it‟s already dark when they arrive? What internal conflict does Ralph feel about the decision to go up the mountain in the dark?

He still doesn't believe the beast is real. He doesn't want to believe until he really sees it.

Why do you think Ralph doesn't really expect to encounter the beast?

Roger gains superiority by pushing the rock. Hurting and destroying gives him pleasure which shows his turn to savagery.

Why do you think Roger pushes the rock off the cliff?

They didn't chose to join the tribe, the were forced to. Telling Jack about Ralph's hiding spot was a decision between life and death. There is a high possibility they told Jack where Ralph hid to gain Jack's trust and be accepted straight away.

Why do you think Samneric decide to join Jack‟s tribe? Why do they tell Jack where Ralph is hidden?

Simon volunteers to go across the island in the dark to tell Piggy and the littleuns what they are doing. He is eager to get away because he believes that the beast is the boys themselves and he has been previously into the forest alone to his secret place. Simon would much rather go alone through the forest then stay with the other boys. I don't think Simon would think of Piggy or the littleuns as the beastie as they are too small and don't partake in the violent actions.

Why do you think Simon is so eager to volunteer to go across the island to tell Piggy and the littluns what they‟re doing?

The biguns wait because they don't want to show betrayal to ralph; they are ashamed that they want to follow ralph.

Why do you think the biguns wait until the other boys are occupied to leave instead of supporting Jack‟s challenge during the meeting?

Jack orders the boys to dance and chant as they obey happily. By doing this they are no longer thinking straight and immersing themselves wholly with the excitement of being a hunter and being apart of Jack's tribe. When Jack calls his tribe to the 'pig dance', it is also taking the attention away from Ralph and his beliefs of their being a big storm, and back to the tribe.

Why does Jack command the boys to dance and chant, and why is this an effective leadership tactic? What psychological effect does dancing and chanting have on the boys? Think back to the effect that putting on makeup had on them in Chapter 4.

Maurice walks away from Perceval and starts crying. Roger doesn't throw stone directly at Henry because he didn't want to hurt him and knew it was wrong. It shows that even when in a bad decision our last resort is never to harm one another.

Why does Maurice walk away when Percival starts crying, and why doesn't Roger throw the stones directly at Henry? What does their behavior suggest about human nature?

Ralph knows that if he blows the conch and no one listens, he lost authority over the boys.

Why does Piggy say that Ralph should blow the conch to call everyone back, and why does Ralph decide not to?

He has just gone through a tough time hiding from Jack and losing Piggy. He stumbles across the pig and feels that the pig is laughing at him, smiling, mocking him. He gets annoyed and continuously hits it until it breaks.

Why does Ralph hit the pig's head?

1. Ralph thinks that the boy isn't Bill because it is a completely different person in front of him. He looks possessed by savagery and the beast.

Why does Ralph think that the boy he sees is "not Bill"?

It's hopeless because of "the savages". They have many more boys and the savages wouldn't compromise.

Why is the boys‟ attempt to get back Piggy‟s specs and get the other boys to maintain a signal fire bound to fail?