Christ Figure

Is there a Christ figure in The Lord of the Flies? If so, then who is it. Explain.

Why Things Didn't Work Out

Whose fault was it that things didn't work out on the island? Explain.

Innocent Children

Traditionally, children are portrayed as innocent. Are they in Lord of the Flies? Explain
how so or how not.

After Reading 2

Suppose the naval officer had not come along in the end, and Ralph had been murdered.
How would that have changed the meaning of the story?

After Reading

What faults in our society does William Golding point out in Lord of the Flies?

Understanding the Resolution

Ralph answers, "Yes" to the naval officer when he asks if a war is going on. Explain what
the war is about and who the rival sides are.

A Parable

What is a parable, and how is Lord of the Flies one?

Eating Meat

Eating meat was important to the boys. Why? How was it symbolically important?

The Lost Boy

Why did the "little boy who wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair
and who carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist" start forward, then change
his mind and stand still? Who was that boy? Why were the details of a black cap and red
hair included?

The Death of Simon and Piggy

Compare and contrast the deaths of Simon and Piggy.

More Quotes Examined

"The [pig's] half-shut eyes were dim with the infinite cynicism of adult life." Explain.

Quotes Examined

"'Run away,' said the head silently, 'go back to the others, It was a joke really -- why should
you bother? You were just wrong, that's all. A little headache, something you ate, perhaps.
Go back, child,' said the head silently." What does that mean?

Rock Castle

What symbolic relationship could the forest and Rock Castle have?

Fire on the Mountaintop

Why did the boys build the fire on the mountaintop, and how could this have been
symbolically important?

Imagery and Symbolism

Explain the symbolism in the descriptions of the bodies of Simon and the pilot going out to
sea.

Piggy and Roger

Compare and contrast Piggy and Roger as the seconds to the leaders.

Tragedy

Is Lord of the Flies a tragedy? If so, how? If not, why not?

Structure

How is Lord of the Flies two stories told at the same time?

After Simon's Death

How do Piggy and Ralph attempt to rationalize their participation in the death of Simon?
Contrast that with Jack and his group's reaction to their own participation.

Simon's Death

Why did the boys consider Simon to be an animal as they made him their prey?

Power

In the struggle for power between Jack and Ralph, what advantages does Jack have? Ralph?

Jack and the Real World

Compare Jack's tactics to terrorist and gang tactics. How are they similar?

The Title

Explain how the title relates to the events of the novel and the themes of Lord of the Flies.

Simon and the Pig's Head

Why did the Lord of the Flies speak to Simon instead of any of the other boys?

More Symbolism

What is the symbolic importance of each of the following: Piggy's glasses, the conch and
the fire?

Evil

According to Mr. Golding, is evil intrinsic or extrinsic to humans? Explain with examples from the book.

Style

Evaluate William Golding's style of writing. How does it contribute to the value of the
novel?

Symbolism

What is the symbolic importance of the shelters, the sand castles, the boys' physical
appearances, and the beastie?

Pig's Head

What is the symbolic importance of the pig's head?

Ralph and Jack

Compare and contrast Ralph and Jack.

Author's purpose

In what ways does William Golding try to make the story believable? Is he successful; is
the story believable?

Climax of the plot

Where is the climax of the story? Justify your answer.

Rewrite The Lord of the Flies

If you were to rewrite The Lord of the Flies in today's world, where would you have it set, who would the characters be, and what would the outcome be?