Lord of the Flies: pages 108 -132

For each of the following questions, discuss your responses with your partner and then write down detailed, specific, and thoughtful answers. Use your books so that you can be specific and use quotations. Don’t rush through this assignment.

1. Reflect on the following quotation. “ On the other side of the island, swathed at midday with mirage, defended by the shield of the quiet lagoon, one might dream of rescue; but here, faced by the brute obtuseness of the ocean, the miles of division, one was clamped down, one was helpless, one was condemned, one was— ” (111).

2. Analyze the mock pig hunt. What is significant about the mock pig hunt in this chapter? What happens to the boys when they do the mock pig hunts? What does this indicate about what may happen later in the novel?

3. Reflect on the following quotation. “ He bound himself together with his will, fused his fear and loathing into a hatred, and stood up” (123).

4. How does Jack’s version of an assembly compare to Ralph’s? What does Jack try to do during his meeting? What happens? How does he react?

5. Compare Jack’s leadership style with Ralph’s. Why don’t the boys initially follow Jack or vote for him as chief? And then, why do they join his tribe later? What kind of power does he have over them? Who is the most effective leader? Why?

6. Why does Jack cry at the beginning of chapter 8? What does it reveal about his character?