Lord of the flies Discussion

Discussion Expectations: Everyone in the group is responsible for the answer Find textual evidence whenever you can Help your peers Be ready to answer at any time

p. 151 How has the tribe’s dance and chant changed over the course of the novel? How did it start? How it being used in this scene?

p. 179, 188 Why do Samneric “join” Jack’s tribe? Under which of Kolhberg’s stages does this fall? Do you think the boys wanted to join the tribe? Did they still have any loyalty to Ralph? How do you know?

P. 181 What happens to the conch? What does this symbolize?

P. 189 How has Roger changed? What does this suggest about him?

P. 194 How has the use of rocks changed? How were the rocks first introduced? How are they now being used?

P. 201 When the ship arrives, the officer says, “We saw your smoke.” What is the irony in the fact that the boys are saved by this smoke?

P. 202 At the very end of the story, Ralph weeps “for the end of innocence and the darkness of man’s heart.” What do these two things mean? Do you think Ralph is right, that man’s heart is dark?

The title, Lord of the Flies, is a reference to the Hebrew “Beelzebub” (or the devil) who was also known as “God of the fly.” Explain how this title is appropriate.

In the end, who or what is/was the “beast”? who is responsible for the deaths of Piggy and Simon and the boy with the birthmark?

Use your LOTF intro notes to help you answer this one: In what way is the novel an allegory?