English I—Summer Reading Discussion Questions Lord of the Flies ...

English I—Summer Reading Discussion QuestionsLord of the FliesDirections: Below are some discussion questions for each chapter of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Thesequestions will not be assigned any type of point value, so you won’t be graded on them. They’re geared to help yourunderstanding of the novel as you read along. And they’ll help you prepare for the summer reading quiz, which isgiven the first day of school. No, that wasn’t a typo…your summer reading quiz (assessment) is going to begiven on the first day of school, so be prepared and ready so you can get off to a good start when the schoolyear begins.Although it’s optional, some type of written response is strongly suggested. You can answer in completesentences. You can bullet your answers and list ideas. You can write by hand. You can type your responses. Youcan review them out loud. Just keep in mind that you should definitely respond to the questions as you read thenovel, and review them before school starts. In addition, answering the questions will help you have a betterunderstanding of the novel’s characters, conflicts, symbols, and the plot itself. See you in August!Chapter One “The Sound of the Shell”1. What’s the boys’ overall attitude in relation to being stranded on a deserted island without adultsupervision? How did the boys get there?2. What role does the conch play in this chapter? What’s it used for? What effect does it have?3. Bullet a list for how the following characters are physically described: Jack, Ralph, and Piggy. Inaddition, provide one personality trait for each character.4. Explain the incident between Jack and the piglet at the end of this chapter. What’s Jack’s reaction toit, and what does he promise to do next time?5. Briefly describe the novel’s setting as explained in this chapter.Chapter Two “Fire on the Mountain”6. How do the boys react when Ralph suggests building a fire? What role does Jack play in this scene?7. What’s decided about the conch in this chapter? Why?8. Are there any conflicts taking shape in this chapter? If so, what are they?Chapter Three “Huts on the Beach”9. Why is there tension between Ralph and Jack in this chapter? What’s Ralph’s main priority andwhat’s Jack’s? Write down or highlight a quote for both Jack and Ralph that represents their mainpriorities.10. Highlight the last section of dialogue between Ralph and Jack in this chapter. What does Goldingcompare them to? What’s the main idea Golding’s expressing here?11. What does Simon do for the “littluns” at the end of this chapter? What does this show about him?

25. What’s the mood like during Jack’s first meeting as chief of his own group? What does Jack decide toleave for the beast? What’s the importance of this?26. When Simon’s talking to the Lord of the Flies, it says, “‘Fancy thinking the Beast was something youcould hunt and kill. . . You knew, didn’t you? I’m a part of the you? Close, close, close! I’m thereason why it’s no go? Why things are the war they are”’ (143). What’s the importance of this quote?What do you think the Beast is?Chapter Nine “A View to a Death”27. What’s the overall mood at Jack’s feast? How does Golding foreshadow a conflict in this scene?28. As Simon falls into the hunters’ circle, Golding doesn’t refer to him by his name. What does he referto him as? Why would he do this?29. What is the final image that the reader is left with Simon? Why would Golding bring forth an imagelike this?Chapter Ten “The Shell and the Glasses”30. What is the mood at the beginning of the chapter? How does Ralph feel? Find a quote that shows hisemotions.31. What does Jack tell the hunters about the beast? What are they going to do about it from now on?What’s the significance of this?Chapter Eleven “Castle Rock”32. What does Roger start doing when Ralph blows the conch and begins to address the group? Highlightthe following quote: “Some source of power began to pulse in Roger’s body” (175). What do youthink Golding means by this? Have we ever seen Roger do something similar to this? When?33. What’s the overall significance of the conch being destroyed? What does this symbolize? How isPiggy’s body taken by the sea? How does this contrast from Simon’s body?Chapter Twelve “Cry of the Hunters”34. What happens when Ralph encounters the Lord of the Flies? What emotions does he feel? What doeshe do to the skull?35. How does Golding’s reference to the hunters change once the naval officer appears? What wordsdoes he use in place of “hunters” and “spears” in this scene? What do you think is the importance ofthis?36. What’s ironic about the way in which the boys are rescued? Hint: Think about who lights the fire thatenables them to be rescued.