Rising Freshmen Summer Read Questions  Lord of the Flies - William Golding

I.   The Sound of the Shell

1.   Name and describe the first two characters who appear.   .

2.   What do the two boys discover in their exploration?  To what use do they put it?

3.   Name and describe the other characters who appear.

4.   Who is elected leader? Why?

5.   How is the division of labor arranged?

6.  What takes place when Jack confronts the pig while he, Ralph, and Simon are exploring the island? What effect does this encounter have on Jack?

II.   Fire on the Mountain   

1.   What rules does Ralph lay down at the assembly?

2.   What is it that the frightened boy tells them and how does it affect them?

3.   What does Ralph tell the boys that they must do to facilitate rescue?

4.   What changes had to be made as a result of the first fire?

5.   Who accepted the responsibility for tending the fire?

6.   What further characteristics of Piggy are revealed in this chapter?

III.  Huts on the Beach

1.   How successful is Jack in the second hunt?

2.   Who is the only one to help Ralph with the building of the huts?

3.   What is the conflict which arises between Ralph and Jack?

4.   Why is Jack so intent on hunting rather than helping with the shelters?

5.   Why is Ralph so concerned about the little ones?

6.   What is revealed about Simon in this chapter?

IV.  Painted Faces and Long Hair

1.   What is revealed about Roger in this chapter?  Why does he stop short of hitting Henry with the stones?

2.   In what ways do the hunters prepare for another hunt?

3.   How do the boys react to Piggy?

4.   Why doesn't the ship which passes near the island see the fire?

5.   Describe the hunters’ return from the hunt.

6.   How do the hunters react to Ralph's tongue lashing?

V.   Beast from Water

1.   Why does Ralph call the meeting?

2.   What brings Ralph into closer sympathy with Piggy?

3.   For what does Ralph chide the boys?

4.   What is Simon's theory about the beast?   How well does he express it and how do the others react to it?

5.   Cite evidence of a deterioration in parliamentary rule.

6.  What does Ralph almost do?  How is he convinced against it?

VI.   Beast From Air

1.   What is the sign which comes down from the world of the grownups? Why is it ironical?

2.   Why are Sam and Eric frightened when they go to build the fire?

3.   What happens to the significance of the conch?

4.   What is the confrontation which takes place between Ralph and Jack?

5.   Why does Ralph agree to a search of the island?

6.   Why does he become angry with Jack and his followers?

VII   Shadows and Tall Trees

1.   What is it that Simon predicts to Ralph?  How does Ralph react to him?

2.   How does Ralph react to his first hunt?

3.   Who volunteers to return to the little ones and Piggy with a message?

4.   With what question does Ralph confront Jack?  What is Jack's answer?

5.   Who climbs the mountain to view the beast?

6.   How do they react to the "beast"?

VIII. Gift for the Darkness

1.   How do the others respond to Jack's suggestion that Ralph be replaced?  How does Jack respond?

2.  What is done about the fire?

3.   How do the boys react to Jack's departure?

4.   What does Jack tell his band of followers?

5.   How does the ensuing hunt differ from previous ones?

6.   What did they do with its head?  Why is it called "the Lord of the Flies"?

IX.   A View to a Death

1.   Where does Simon go alter he leaves the "Lord of the Flies"?

2.   Where does he then go?

3.   Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to attend Jack's feast?

4.   What happens when Jack asks Ralph's followers to join with him?

5.   What tragic mistake is made in the frenzy and excitement of the hunt?

6.   What seems to have been Simon's function in the novel?

X.   The Shell and the Glasses

1.   Who are the only ones who have remained with Ralph?

2.   In what further way does Piggy reveal himself to be superior to Ralph?

3.   How does Jack handle those who disobey his rules and regulations? Contrast Jack's type of government with Ralph's.

4.   How does Jack explain Simon's death to his followers?

5.   How does Jack propose to get fire?

6.   Describe the encounter between the two groups over the fire.

XI   Castle Rock

1.   Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to visit Jack?

2.   What happens to convince them that Jack is no longer playing a game?

3.   Why does Piggy feel that he has a right to be heard?

4.   What happens to Piggy?

5.   Why is Piggy's death equated with the earlier slaughter of the pigs?

6.   What is Jack's reaction to Piggy's death?

XII. Cry of the Hunters

1.   Where does Ralph go upon Piggy's death and the twins' capture?

2.   Where does Ralph hide and how is he discovered?

3.   How is Ralph rescued?

4.   How do the savages act in the presence of the officer?  How does he reset to them?

5.   Why does Ralph cry?

6.  What is Golding's final comment as revealed in the preoccupation of the naval officer?