Lord of the Flies Chapter 9-12 Summary

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Questions and Answers

What does Simon discover after he leaves the Lord of the Flies (the sow's head)?

He discovers a dead parachuter on the top of the mountain.

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

Because they want food and wanted to try and get more boys to come back with them.

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

When Jack asks if anyone wanted to come with him, no one had joined him except his choir boys.

What tragic mistake is made in the frenzy and excitement of the dance?

Simon is thought to be the beast and is murdered. Signup and view all the answers

What has been Simon's function in the novel?

Simon's function has been the side role, the loner in the group but always there to help. Signup and view all the answers

What's the importance of Simon's death and burial in this novel?

The importance of his death and burial is that it shows how much more savage the boys have gotten. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does Piggy prove himself to be superior to Ralph?

He keeps telling Ralph to be quiet and shut up about Simon's death. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the only 'biguns' who have remained with Ralph? Why?

Piggy, and Samn'Eric, because they show more maturity than the other boys. Signup and view all the answers

How does Jack handle those who disobey his wishes?

He handles them by tying them up and not giving them food or water. Signup and view all the answers

How does Jack explain what happens to Simon to the boys who are with him?

Jack keeps saying the beast is not dead and will keep coming. Signup and view all the answers

How do Jack's boys attack Ralph's group?

They attacked them in the middle of the night and stole Piggy's glasses. Signup and view all the answers

Why do Ralph and Piggy decide to go to Jack's fort?

They wanted to get Piggy's glasses back from Jack's boys. Signup and view all the answers

Is Piggy fully aware of how far from 'civilized behavior' Jack and his followers have degenerated? How do you know?

No, he is not because he thinks everything is going fine. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Piggy feel he has a right to be heard? What happens?

Because he is speaking against what Jack believes and he is killed for it. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it equated with the slaughter of the pigs?

Because all Jack's boys hunt is pigs, and Piggy is just a pig in their point of view. Signup and view all the answers

How does Jack react to Piggy dying?

Jack reacted like he had gone insane. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Ralph go after the fight with Jack?

Ralph goes to Castle Rock to talk to Samn'Eric. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Ralph get his weapons?

He gets his weapons from the 'Lord of the Flies', which was the stick it was held up on. Signup and view all the answers

How do Jack and his boys treat Sam and Eric?

The treatment of Samn'Eric is pretty harsh. Signup and view all the answers

How is Ralph's hiding place discovered?

His hiding place is discovered by the boys pulling a rock away from his hiding spot. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Ralph's frantic flight.

Ralph was in a do-or-die situation, hiding from the savages. Signup and view all the answers

What happens at the last possible moment?

All the boys were rescued by a naval man. Signup and view all the answers

When the naval officer looks at the boys, what does he see?

He sees a bunch of little boys who were playing a game. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the quotation: 'The end of innocence' and 'the darkness of man's heart.'

'The end of innocence' means the boys have seen more than others and will never be innocent again. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 9-12 Summary of Lord of the Flies

Simon discovers a dead parachutist on the mountain, a symbol of the lost civilization and impending doom.
Ralph and Piggy attend Jack's feast in hopes of food and to entice other boys to return, showcasing their desperation.
Only Jack's choir boys join him, indicating a split between the groups and Ralph’s diminishing authority.
In a chaotic dance, Simon is mistaken for the beast and brutally murdered, highlighting the loss of innocence.
Simon serves as the loner and moral compass of the group, embodying natural goodness.
Simon's death signifies the complete descent into savagery among the boys and the eroding remnants of their civilization.
Piggy attempts to rationalize Simon's murder and dismisses Ralph's trauma, showing a shift towards practicality over morality.
Only Ralph, Piggy, and Samn'Eric remain loyal to each other, emphasizing their desire for return to order and safety.
Jack employs violence and intimidation, binding those who defy him, showcasing his authoritarian rule.
Jack manipulates the boys' fear by referring to Simon as the beast, diverting attention from their violent actions.
Jack's boys launch a surprise attack on Ralph and Piggy while they sleep, highlighting their brutal tactics and moral decay.
Ralph and Piggy's quest to reclaim Piggy's glasses from Jack symbolizes the struggle between civilization and savagery.
Piggy remains oblivious to the escalating violence and savagery, believing communication can reach Jack, showcasing naivety.
Piggy believes he deserves a voice due to his intelligence but is silenced by Jack, demonstrating the rejection of reason in chaos.
The murder of Piggy is compared to the slaughter of pigs, reflecting dehumanization among Jack's followers.
Jack's reaction to Piggy's death reveals his complete moral collapse, where violence becomes normalized.
After the confrontation, Ralph seeks refuge at Castle Rock, illustrating his desperation and isolation.
Ralph's weapons are scavenged from the "Lord of the Flies", representing the remnants of civilization heavily tainted by savagery.
Sam and Eric endure physical abuse, demonstrating the loss of brotherhood and the brutal power dynamics at play.
Ralph's hiding spot is discovered when the boys unearth a rock, symbolizing the end of his hope for survival.
Ralph experiences a frantic flight from the savages, underscoring the theme of survival against the loss of civility.
In a last-minute rescue, a naval officer arrives as Ralph is hunted, signifying a return to civilization.
The naval officer perceives the boys as merely playing, revealing the stark contrast between their reality and his misunderstanding of their experiences.
"The end of innocence" signifies the boys' irreparable loss of purity and hope, while "the darkness of man's heart" reflects the inherent capacity for evil within humanity.

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Description

This quiz provides a summary of chapters 9 to 12 of 'Lord of the Flies'. Review key events and themes, including Simon's discovery, Ralph and Piggy's decisions, and the dynamics among the boys. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of the text.