Lord of the Flies Chapter 12 Test

Questions and Answers

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

Ralph hides in the jungle.

How successful are Ralph's attempts to rationalize what has happened?

They failed because the savage side of the boys took over their minds.

Where does Ralph get his weapon?

From the spear holding up the Lord of the Flies.

What happens when Ralph encounters the Lord of the Flies? What emotions does he feel? What does he do to the skull?

He is angry and disgusted, knocks the skull over, and takes the spear. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Ralph decide to creep back toward the camp under the cover of darkness?

He wants to see the twins and get them to leave Jack and come with him. Signup and view all the answers

How do Sam and Eric, Jack's newly recruited lookouts, receive their former chief?

The twins are surprised to see Ralph and look past him into the air. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Ralph hide and how is he discovered?

He hides in the thickest part of the forest under rubbish; Sam tells him Jack is trying to burn down the forest to find him. Signup and view all the answers

How does Golding's reference to the hunters change once the naval officer appears? What word does he use in place of 'hunters' and 'spears' in this scene? What do you think the importance of this is?

Golding changes 'hunters' to 'boys' and 'spears' to 'sticks'. Signup and view all the answers

What's ironic about the way the boys are rescued?

The fire meant to kill everyone becomes the first fire that allows them to be rescued. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ralph's Reflection

Ralph hides in the jungle, reflecting on the deaths of Piggy and Simon.
He contemplates the boys' descent into savagery and how they have turned against one another.

Ralph's Rationalization

Ralph struggles to rationalize the boys' actions, overwhelmed by their savage instincts.
His attempts to make sense of the situation are largely unsuccessful due to the pervasive brutality.

Ralph's Weapon

Ralph acquires his weapon from the spear supporting the Lord of the Flies, a symbol of their descent into chaos.

Encounter with the Lord of the Flies

Upon encountering the Lord of the Flies, Ralph feels anger and disgust.
He reacts by knocking over the skull and seizing the spear, expressing his contempt for the savagery it represents.

Stealthy Approach to Camp

Ralph decides to approach the camp at night, seeking to convince the twins to abandon Jack and join him instead.

Reception by Sam and Eric

Sam and Eric, surprised by Ralph's sudden appearance, flush with a mix of emotions and gaze past him, indicating their conflicted loyalties.

Ralph's Hiding Spot

Ralph hides in the thickest part of the forest under debris, aiming to evade capture.
He is discovered when Sam warns him that Jack is trying to set the forest ablaze to flush him out.

Golding's Language Shift

Golding alters his language; referring to "hunters" as "boys" and "spears" as "sticks" upon the naval officer's arrival.
This shift emphasizes the loss of innocence and reminds readers of their childhood status despite the dire circumstances.

Irony of Rescue

The boys are ultimately rescued due to a fire set by Jack, originally intended to hunt Ralph.
The irony lies in the fact that the fire intended for murder becomes the means of their rescue, highlighting the tragic turn of events.

Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 12 from 'Lord of the Flies' with these flashcards. Explore Ralph's internal struggles and the downfall of civilization among the boys. Perfect for reviewing key themes and events just before the climax of the novel.