1. Lord of the Flies
William Golding

2. Chapter 1 Synopsis: The Sound of the Shell
We meet the characters as they explore their surroundings—an island with lots of creepers or vines and flora one can get tangled in easily. Ralph spots something in the water and Piggy informs him that it’s a conch or large shell. Ralph blows the conch and others recognize it as a call signal.

3. Characters
Ralph is a fair haired boy who is built like a boxer with an athletic build; he symbolizes democracy, fairness, order, and common sense; his personality seems to have magnetic appeal as others are drawn to him.
Jack is a red head (you know what they say about red heads—hot-tempered); he symbolizes tyranny or dictatorship and violence; Merridew has a harsh personality and treats others cruelly; his interest in rules are based on punishment and he is obsessed with hunting and killing pigs.

4. Characters
Piggy is an overweight boy who suffers from asthma, which results in his inability to participate in most physical activities; he is not easily accepted by the others because he is different; Piggy is focused on the objective of being rescued; he symbolizes intelligence or knowledge and often offers Ralph advice. His name, Piggy, is no coincidence. He is treated no better than a pig by Roger and Jack (physically and mentally).

5. Characters
Simon is the boy who faints easily. He is quiet and shy; others view him as strange because he is introverted and spends much of his time alone in the jungle; Simon is at ease with nature; he symbolizes spirituality.
Roger is the dark one; it is no accident that he is called this as he symbolizes evil. When he is speaking or doing something, it is significant.

6. Characters
Sam and Eric (Samneric) are twins. They struggle with independence and cannot seem to do things without each other.
Percival is a “littlun” who is usually distressed; he desperately hopes to get home; this is evident when he constantly repeats his name and address.
Mulberry Boy is the only name we have for the youngster with the birthmark who disappears near the place of the first fire; he introduced the idea of a snake-like thing or “beastie.”

7. Characters Johnny is the first “littlun” we read about.
Wilfred is the boy who Jack whips
Phil is a “littlun”
Harold is a choir boy/hunter
Henry is a choir boy/hunter
Maurice is a choir boy/hunter
Robert is a choir boy/hunter
Bill is a choir boy/hunter

8. Chapter 2 Synopsis: Fire on the Mountain
Ralph is voted as leader and Roger is clearly unhappy about it. The boys, except Piggy due to his asthma, work together to make a signal fire on the mountain. The boys are reminded of their situation when they realize they have nothing to start the fire. However, Jack grabs Piggy’s glasses (specs) off his face and lights a fire. Mulberry boy is last spotted in the location where the fire gets out of hand.

9. Symbolism Conch: Law & Order Signal Fire/Smoke: Rescue
Glasses/Specs: Survival and Intelligence
Darkness or black: Evil (notice how things often go wrong when it gets dark on the island; Roger is called the dark one)
Green: Life (think of the natural living surroundings of the island)
Red: Violence (Blood and Jack’s red hair)
White: Goodness (light colors such as Ralph’s fair colored hair)
Piggy: Piggy’s name is representative of how he is treated by others—just like the pigs on the island.

10. Chapter 3 Synopsis: Huts on the Beach
Ralph and Jack argue what is more important—building huts or hunting. Ralph worries about the “littluns” having nightmares. Shelters represent civilization. Jack is not interested in anything but hunting. Hunting represents savagery.
Jack states that they need to eat meat. Ralph points out that Jack has not produced any meat and that the huts are most important. He is upset because many boys are off playing or hunting while Simon is only one helping him work.

11. Chapter 4 Synopsis: Painted Faces and Long Hair
Stalking: Henry is interested in watching and trapping the little sea creatures in the sand. Roger watches Henry from behind a tree and throws rocks at him but purposely misses. Jack is watching Roger.
Jack uses clay to paint his face. Hiding behind the mask enables Jack to embrace an animalistic side of himself. The order of civilization is becoming less identifiable. Jack punches piggy; Ralph spots a ship, but the fire has gone out because those tending to the fire go hunting with Jack. Jack makes his first kill: “Kill the pig, cut her throat, spill her blood.”

12. Chapter 4 Question
What does Jack do (physically and symbolically) to intentionally remove his identity?

13. Chapter 5 Synopsis: Beast from Water
Ralph thinks seriously about their state of distress and calls an assembly even though it is getting dark (things go wrong in the dark). He expresses his concern for the lack of order: people are not using the appropriate places for the bathroom, hunting is not as important as keeping the signal fire, and there is no evidence of a beast. While Ralph tries to maintain order, Jack takes the conch and begins yelling at the others. The boys talk of the possibility of ghosts and sea monsters. Piggy questions what the beast would eat adding that it could be pig, but they themselves eat pig.

14. Chapter 5 Questions What does Simon think the beast may be?
What turns into inarticulate gibberish for Percival? How does this contribute the theme of loss of identity?
What does Ralph wish for?

15. Chapter 6 Synopsis: Beast from Air
There is a battle in the sky (remember a war is occurring) and a casualty lands on the mountaintop. Samneric are on fire duty and notice the “beast,” which is really just a pilot with a parachute. Samneric rush down the mountain in fear to report this to Ralph. An assembly is called, which results in a fight between Jack and Ralph. Jack states the conch is no longer needed and Ralph accuses Jack of not wanting to be rescued. The boys gather a search party for the “beast.”

16. Chapter 6 Questions
“But they never could manage to do things sensibly if that meant acting independently, and since staying awake all night was impossible, they had both gone to sleep.” What theme does this passage represent?
How do the boys describe the beast?
What does Simon think about the beast? (103)

17. Chapter 7 Synopsis: Shadows and Tall Trees
While hunting the beast, the boys are sidetracked and hunt a boar. Things get out of control when the boys try to reenact the hunt, hurting Robert in the process. As it gets darker, Ralph says that someone needs to get back to camp by Piggy. This causes even more tension between Jack and Ralph. Simon who is not afraid of the beast says he will go alone through the jungle. Ralph, Jack, and Roger continue on….see the “beast” and become frightened.

18. Chapter 7 Questions
What happens when the boys get sidetracked and hunt the boar? What is suggested about the “littluns” when they discuss reenacting the hunt? (page 114)
The first time the boys go to the mountain to explore and see the whole island it is with Ralph, Jack, and Simon. The second time they go to the mountain who is present? Thinking about symbolism, what does this mean?

19. Chapter 8 Synopsis: Gift for the Darkness
The boys return to camp and share the news of the beast with the rest. Ralph inadvertently insults Jack and the division is complete. Jack asks the others if they should get rid of Ralph as chief. He is answered with silence. With Jack’s pride hurt, he informs the others that he will no longer play with them and makes a tearful departure. Piggy is happy that Jack leaves; they decide to build a fire nearby. While they are doing this, many leave to be with Jack. He kills a large sow in a horrific way. The boys have a feast and put the sows head on a stick as an offering to the “beast.” Simon has a conversation with the Lord of the Flies or head on a stick.

20. Chapter 8 Questions What does Ralph say about Jack’s hunters?
How do the boys react as they talk about how they killed the sow? Why is the death of the sow so horrific?
What might Simon’s conversation with the Lord of the Flies symbolize?

21. Chapter 9 Synopsis: A View to a Death
Simon decides to climb the mountain and discovers that the beast is a man and a parachute. He returns to tell the others. Piggy and Ralph realize the boys have left to join Jack’s feast, so they, too, will go just to make sure things don’t get out of control. Jack and Ralph argue once again about leadership. A storm begins and Ralph reminds the boys of much needed shelter. Jack insists that his tribe should perform a dance. Simon rushes in to tell them about the man ,but the ritual dance has taken on a life of its own. The boys are out of control and violently attack and kill Simon. The storm winds carry the man and parachute across the island and out to sea; the boys see this and their fears are intensified. Simon’s body is carried out to sea by the strong tide.

22. Chapter 9 Questions
Before going to the mountain, Simon asks himself, “What else is there to do?” What do you suppose this means?
What does Jack use to convince the boys that he should be chief?
Are people naturally good, but occasionally do bad things or are people naturally bad and do good things because of laws and other threats of punishment?