9th Grade English Name:_______________________
Lord of the Flies, by William Golding
Chapters 1 and 2
Step-by-Step,
Chapter One
1. What are some unrealistic things that have happened so far in the novel? (Remember, these are 12-year-old and younger boys, from England of the 1950’s.)
2. What are some realistic things that make the boys seem real?
3. Why does Ralph win the election to become chief?
4. Why didn’t Piggy vote for Ralph at first, but only put his hand up “grudgingly” (p. 23)? [Think about this; the answer is not directly in the book.]
5. Ralph, Jack, and Simon’s exploration of the island during the second half of Chapter One is something they will look back on fondly through the book. On page 27, “at perhaps their most difficult moment, Ralph turned with shining eyes to the others,” and they express their absolute joy in what they are doing. Try to put it in a statement: Why are these boys so happy to be where they are, doing what they’re doing?
6. An important thing happens on page 28; it is both realistic and symbolic. Why do the boys take such pleasure in pushing over that rock? What does it say about human nature?
7. Something else symbolic happens on page 30. Can you tell what it is?
8. Why doesn’t Jack kill the little pig on page 31? What is his feeling, when the pig escapes unkilled?
Step-by-Step,
Chapter Two
9. On pages 32-38, there is a meeting. List five times Ralph succeeds at being a leader in the meeting (letter them a, b, c, d, e).
10. Now, list five times Ralph fails at being a leader in the meeting (again lettered a, b, c, d, e).
11. For several reasons, the little boy with the birthmark has an important role here:
a. From what he tries to say, describe the snake-thing-beastie he is talking about.
b. Describe Jack’s attitude to this news of a possible snake-thing-beastie on the island.
c. Describe Ralph’s attitude to the same snake-thing-beastie.
12. What do the boys enjoy about building the fire, on page 39? [Don’t answer one specific thing from the book, just describe it generally.]
13. Copy this statement, with correct words filled in: While the boys are grabbing at Piggy’s face, he is very concerned about ______________ and _______________.
14. Pay attention to Roger! He’s only spoken a few times so far, including once on page 22 and once on page 43. He speaks only for a purpose; what might his purpose be?
15. Fire is going to be a symbol…but a difficult one. It is started using Piggy’s specs…it can help to rescue them, if used properly…it can get out of control and kill. Think of something fire could be a symbol of, as it’s used so far.
Some Overall Ideas
1. Now, let’s look at the characters. Set up a chart like this, covering information from the first two chapters:
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Name: |
Characteristics: |
Evidence from the
book: |
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Ralph |
dreamer, disinterested |
“Ralph smiled vaguely…” (p. 9); “Ralph was faintly interested…” (p. 11); “Ralph lolled in the water. Sleep enveloped him…” when talking about rescue (p. 14); “..ignoring Piggy’s ill-omened talk, he dreamed pleasantly.” (p. 15); [More examples can be found.] |
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Piggy |
logical, intelligent |
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whiny, |
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physically weak |
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Jack |
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Simon |
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2. Now, look at some of the major symbols that have already made their appearance. Set up a chart like this:
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Object: |
Possibly a symbol
of: |
Evidence: |
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conch shell |
order; democracy |
calls the boys to a meeting (pp. 18-20); “‘I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it while he’s speaking.’” (p. 33) |
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rules, authority |
“Ralph…most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch.” (p. 22); “‘Him with the shell…Let him be chief with the trumpet-thing’” (p. 22); |
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Piggy’s specs |
intelligence |
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light/bright/sun |
positive |
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dark/shadow/black |
negative |
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