Thursday, February 9, 2012

Lord of the Flies -- The Final Reflection

Some critics contend that Golding's ending is, in slang terms, a cop-out. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Also, now that you've finished the book, briefly evaluate it.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Lord of the Flies Chapter 11 Reflection 
inspired by Chris Ferrall and South Park
OH MY GOD, THEY KILLED PIGGY!
Respond to the death of everybody's favorite spectacles-wearing character. What does his death mean for Ralph? For the group as a whole? How can it be interpreted symbolically? 

Monday, February 6, 2012

Chapter 9 Reflection Questions
http://pacek.tripod.com/WHSpage/lordquest.htm

  1. The Lord of the Flies' prediction that Simon would be killed by the other boys proves to be accurate. Did you expect this, or were you surprised? Was Simon interfering, something the Lord of the Flies warned him against, or was he trying to save them all from the real beast, themselves?
  2. What is the significance of the figure on the mountain dropping onto the beach and then washing out to sea? Remember Simon's efforts to cry out his news to the chanting, dancing tribesmen.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Lord of the Flies Chapter 8 

Select one or more of the questions below to comment upon. (freely borrowed from http://pacek.tripod.com/WHSpage/lordquest.htm)

1. Throughout the novel, there has been conflict between Jack and Piggy. What do you think is the cause of this conflict? Why is it significant that Piggy, for the first time, helps to gather firewood only after Jack has broken from the group? Why does Piggy feel liberated?

2.Even though Jack enumerates Ralph' s faults, none of the boys is willing to oust Ralph as chief. What explanation can you offer for this?

3. Comment on your reaction to Simon's encounters with the Lord of the Flies. Do you think that Simon is hallucinating because of the heat? Remember that Simon is only a young boy, about eleven or twelve. Does such a young person usually have the kind of understanding and insight that Simon seems to possess? Do you think the Lord of the Flies' assessment of the other boys' feelings about Simon is accurate? Is there any evidence to support this? Do you think the Lord of the Flies' warning that the others will "do" Simon if he tries to interfere is realistic?

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Chapter Six 
In Chapter 6, the dead parachutist makes his arrival. In what ways does he fulfill the boys' dreams (nightmares?) of a "beastie"? What might he symbolize?

Friday, January 27, 2012

Lord of the Flies Chapter 4 Reflection
1. Symbolism: When Jack sees Roger after the incident with Henry, Roger is described as “a darker shadow crept beneath the swarthiness of his skin” (57). What does this symbolize for Roger? Describe Jack’s face painting. What does it represent? How does the paint change Jack?

Piggy is described as wearing “the remainders of a pair of shorts, his fat body was golden brown, and the glasses still flashed when he looked at anything. He was the only boy on the island whose hair never seemed to grow. The rest were shock-headed, but Piggy’s hair still lay in wisps over his head as though baldness were his natural state and this imperfect covering would soon go, like the velvet on a young stag’s antlers” (59). What does this say about Piggy? What does he represent?

After Jack kills the pig, what does he do? What does this symbolize? Why is the fire so important? What does it represent? ("From Lord of the  Flies Discussion Questions," www.morgan.k12.ga.us)

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Lord of the Flies -- Chapter Three


In this chapter, Ralph and Jack discuss the feelings of the boys on the island. Comment on how the boys' society compares to your own high school environment or other behavior you have observed, experienced or learned about. (adapted from lessonsfromliterature.org)