1. Why does Ralph believe that the savages will not leave him alone?
The deaths of Piggy and Simon assure him that he’ll also be murdered. He believes that Jack and his tribe are savages and can go to extremes.
2. What does Ralph do to the “Lord of the Flies”?
Upon seeing the Lord of the Flies, “A sick fear and rage swept over him” (page 205). He then punches it and backs away.
3. Although he doesn’t like the idea of savages, why does he have such a strong desire to spend the night with them at Castle Rock?
“He felt his isolation bitterly” and liked the idea of being with the savages due to the “ambushing fears of the deep night” (page 206). He also wants companionship.
4. When Ralph asks Samneric what the savages plan to do with him if they catch him, what is the boys’ response? What does the response suggest?
Sam and Eric claim that they Ralph will be hunted and killed. Sam and Eric state that Roger “sharpened a stick at both ends” (page 211). This suggests that he will be treated just like the “Lord of the Flies” was. They will leave his head on a stick.
5. To the officer, what does it appear that the boys were doing?
He thought the boys were playing a game.
6. Why was he disappointed in them?
He was disappointed in them because he thought that “English boys were better than that” (page 223).
7. Why did the British officers come? What is ironic about that?
It is ironic that the boys are rescued by a member of the military because his actions in war require him to bring death and destruction. The irony can be found in the fact that the officer immediately chastises the boys for their behavior (of killing and committing savagery).
8. When the officer asks who is in charge, who replies? Is there any argument about this?
Ralph replies and a little boy tries to intervene, but steps back. There seems to be no argument about this.
9. After condemning the boys for their behaviour, the author points out that the officer eyes his boat at anchor. After taking the boys on board, what will be the cruiser’s job?
The cruiser’s job is to look for enemies to kill.
10. A microcosm is a miniature world that mirrors the larger world. Consider the three previous questions and state how the island turns out to be a microcosm.
It is a microcosm because their small world represents our real world. Each person on the island symbolizes a certain person on this world. For example, Piggy represented rational and intelligence, where Jack represented savagery. Each character’s characteristics are different, and represent those in our world.
11. In the miniature island world, what is it that these boys represent: Ralph, Piggy, Jack, Roger, and Simon?
Ralph: democracy, civilization
Jack: savagery
Roger: aggression, violence
Simon: goodness
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