Themes in Lord of the Flies

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Questions and Answers

What seems to be happening regularly at midday?

Many hallucinate

For what alleged reason do some of the boys smear themselves with colored clay?

To camouflage themselves from the pigs

What does Piggy want the boys to make?

A sundial

What does Simon see that excites everyone?

Smoke from a passing ship Signup and view all the answers

What does Roger do that upsets the littluns?

Destroys their sandcastle Signup and view all the answers

What gives Littlun Henry so much pleasure as he pokes at the small forms of life in the pool with a stick?

He made little rivers to control where he wanted the transparencies to go. He enjoyed it because it gave him a sense of power and control. Signup and view all the answers

What keeps Roger from actually hitting Henry with the stones he throws at the smaller boy?

The taboo of the old life. Signup and view all the answers

What reason does Jack give for applying the colored clay to his face?

Camouflage from the pigs while hunting. Signup and view all the answers

Why couldn't the boys signal the ship that Ralph spotted on the horizon?

The hunters let the fire burn out. Signup and view all the answers

Where were Jack and his choir when Ralph spotted the smoke on the ship?

They were killing a pig. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Jack attack Piggy, and what is the result of the attack?

Jack attacks Piggy because Piggy blamed him for letting the fire go out. This made him mad so he smacked Piggy on the head, and Piggy's glasses flew off and broke. Signup and view all the answers

What is Jack's reaction when Simon gives Piggy the meat?

He became angry at Simon and cut off a piece of meat and threw it at Simon's feet. Signup and view all the answers

Why do Roger and Maurice kick over the sandcastles of the younger children?

They simply act out of meanness. They do, however, destroy both a bit of happiness and a reminder of the boys' previous existence. Signup and view all the answers

Why does some sort of excuse come to Maurice's mind?

In his old life when he did things like this, he had to have some excuse to tell the adults. His guilt feelings are behavioral responses conditioned by society. Signup and view all the answers

What is symbolized by the distinction in Golding's coined words 'biguns' and 'littluns'?

The boys are now speaking sloppily, losing a bit more of their individuality and civilization. Signup and view all the answers

What literary terms are used in the following quotations: 'The sun gazed down like an angry eye'?

Personification and simile. Signup and view all the answers

Why, according to the narrator, does Roger not throw the rocks to hit Henry?

He is prevented from doing so by the 'invisible yet strong taboo of the old life.' Civilization not only does not acknowledge Roger anymore but also 'was in ruins;' this foreshadowing points to the future disintegration of the island civilization. Signup and view all the answers

In what sense does putting on the mask free Jack? Why might this liberation bode ill for the others?

The mask liberated Jack from shame and self-consciousness. A loss of these qualities means that Jack may treat others harshly when he is concealed. Signup and view all the answers

What creates the barrier between Jack and Ralph?

Because Jack left the fire watch to go hunting, the signal fire went out. Signup and view all the answers

What bloodthirsty chant has become part of their hunting ritual?

Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood. Signup and view all the answers

What two worlds does the narrator say that Jack and Ralph depict?

Jack represents 'the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill;' Ralph represents 'the world of longing and baffled commonsense.' Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Events and Themes

Hallucinations occur regularly at midday among the boys, indicating psychological stress or dehydration.
Boys smear colored clay on their faces to camouflage while hunting pigs, highlighting their descent into savagery.
Piggy desires to create a sundial as a symbol of civilization and order, contrasting with the chaos developing.
Simon sees smoke from a passing ship, representing hope for rescue, but the boys’ actions sabotage this chance.
Roger destroys littluns' sandcastles, showcasing his emerging sadism and the breakdown of childhood innocence.

Dynamics of Power and Control

Littlun Henry finds pleasure in controlling small forms of life, illustrating a desire for power in a chaotic environment.
Roger refrains from hitting Henry with stones due to societal conditioning, showing the lingering effects of civilization's rules.
Jack uses colored clay for hunting camouflage, reflecting his growing obsession with power and dominance over nature.

Conflict and Violence

Ralph's signal fire is extinguished because Jack and the hunters prioritize killing a pig, resulting in missed rescue opportunity.
Jack attacks Piggy in retaliation for being blamed for the extinguished fire, resulting in the destruction of Piggy's glasses, symbolizing the loss of reason and insight.
Tensions rise as Jack reacts angrily to Simon for giving Piggy meat, indicating increasing tribalism and hostility among the boys.

Sociological Observations

Roger and Maurice vandalize the sandcastles out of meanness, which represents a loss of childhood joy and the influence of societal norms breaking down.
Maurice feels guilt conditioned by societal expectations, illustrating the conflict between innate savagery and upbringing.
The terms "biguns" and "littluns" reflect the erosion of individuality and social structure, marking a shift towards a dualistic society on the island.

Literary Devices and Symbolism

The sun is personified as "an angry eye," creating a vivid image of oppression and scrutiny, emphasizing the boys’ harsh environment.
Roger's internal struggle foreshadows the future disintegration of the island's civilization, indicating a loss of societal constraints and morals.
Jack's mask frees him from shame, suggesting a dangerous liberation from civilization's expectations, paving the way for emerging savagery.

Ideological Divergence

A division forms between Jack and Ralph, symbolizing the clash between primal instincts (Jack) and the desire for order (Ralph).
Jack's bloodthirsty chant reflects the transformation of the boys into savages, prioritizing violence over rescue.
The narrative contrasts Jack's thrill in hunting with Ralph's longing for order, showcasing the conflicting desires within the group and foreshadowing further chaos.

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Description

Explore the significant themes and key events in 'Lord of the Flies', including the portrayal of savagery, the struggle for power, and the impact of societal norms on human behavior. This quiz highlights the psychological elements and dynamics of control among the boys on the island.