1. Chapters 10-12 Discussion Questions
Describe the type of language Roger uses when he addresses Robert. How does his language reflect a shift in the mood of the novel? Explain.
What does Jack tell the hunters about the beast? What are they going to do about it from now on? What’s the symbolic significance of this?
What is significant about Jack’s methods as a leader? How does he manipulate the other boys? Why do you think the other boys follow him?
Chapter 11
What color was the conch at the beginning of the book and at the end? Why? How is the destruction of the conch symbolically significant?
What does Roger do the twins on pg. 175? Find the following quote: “Some source of power began to pulse in Roger’s body” (175). What do you think Golding means by this? Have we ever seen Roger do something similar to this? When?
Chapter 12
What is symbolic about Ralph destroying the Lord of the Flies?
What do Samneric mean when they tell Ralph that Roger has “sharpened a stick at both ends”? What do Samneric say about Roger?
What’s ironic about the way in which the boys are rescued? Hint: Think about who lights the fire that enables them to be rescued.
Explain the symbolic significance of this quotation: “Percival Wemys Madison sought in his head for an incantation that had faded clean away.”
How do the boys appear to the naval officer? What does he ask them? The naval officer says, "I should have thought that a pack of British boys...would have been able to put up a better show than that." How is this statement hypocritical?