Lord of The Flies Flashcards
(36 cards)
Name traits of Jack
He desires power He is easily angered He represents barbarism / savagery He is bloodthirsty He has no regard for democracy - he is a dictator.
Name traits of Ralph
He is calm and thoughtful
He represents order; he likes rules
He represents civilisation and good morals
He shows honesty and fair leadership
He is humane - always wants to help and protect
Symbolism associated with the conch
It is a symbol of civilisation and order
It represents democratic governance
It gives legitimacy to an organisational structure
It is a symbol of unity: when the boys meet initially they are united by the call made by the conch. In this way it symbolises good.
All subsequent meetings are orderly because the conch is used to give each boy an equal chance to speak.
The shattering of the conch marks the end of civilisation and the final destruction of good on the island.
Symbolism surrounding the beast
The imaginary beast represents inherent evil in all humanity.
The boys know that evil or the beast exists but do not realise that the beast lies within each one of them.
The beast comes to represent savagery as the boys gradually believe in its existence and start making offerings.
It represents evil as Jack regularly alludes to the beast when he wants to scare or manipulate the boys.
The beast is mystical as it is difficult to describe or define.
Describe Jack’s attitude towards Ralph when they first meet.
Jack respects Ralph
He is willing to co-operate with him.
He becomes Ralph’s friend.
The boys are evacuated because of…
A war
How do the boys conclude that they are on a deserted island?
They decide to explore the place.
They discover that the place is surrounded by water.
There are no other people on the island.
Explain Jack’s action and the symbolism of Jack holding out his hand for the conch.
Jack wants the conch. The conch gives the holder the right to speak.
The group of little boys initially ‘urge’ the boy with the birthmark forward. What does this action tell you about their feelings?
They are afraid and want the older boys to protect them.
Why is the boy’s face described as being ‘blotted out’ by the birthmark?
The birthmark is so big that it covers half of his face.
Piggy argues that the little boy must be given the conch. What do we learn about Piggy?
He believes that the conch creates democracy.
He is fair and he believes that everybody has the right to speak and to be heard.
Why was it necessary for Ralph and Piggy to go to the Castle Rock?
Jack and his tribe had stolen the glasses
To retrieve Piggy’s glasses.
Discuss the fears of the littl’uns and the reactions of the bigger boys to them.
The littl’uns are afraid of noises they hear at night on the island.
they dream/have nightmares about beasts that crawl upon them.
They even claim to have seen creepy, crawly things in the dark
thi big boys dismiss the fears of the littl’uns as figments of their imagination.
Jack mocks their fears, saying that the only beasts on the island are pigs.
Ralph is more sensitive and concerned about the fears of the littl’uns. He orders that no mention be made of ‘snakes’.
Piggy is kind and takes trouble to explain their fears away.
Despite reassurance, the littl’uns never overcome their fear of the beastie. Their fears keep increasing. it is even referred to as a ‘ghost’ at a later meeting.
Discuss the ‘beast from air’ and the boys’ reactions to Simon’s discovery.
Samneric think they see a beast on the mountain whil minding the fire one night.
They narrate exaggerated details of their imagined encounter.
Jack’s tribe initiates a search for the beast but gets side-tracked by the discovery of a natural fort.
Meanwhile, hunting gains momentum and becomes rough and violent.
Robert is used as a ‘mock’ pig and Jack even suggest that a littl’un be used as a pig.
Ralph also claims to have seen a beast with teeth.
Simon encounters the Lord of the Flies, which he thinks is the beast. He then falls into a trance. When he recovers, he stumbles upon the real beast - a dead parachutist.
Simon releases the corpse and goes to tell Jack about it. He stumbles into Jack’s hunting orgy where he is perceived as the ‘beast’ and killed.
How does the fear of ‘the beast’ affect the boys’ behaviour?
Initially, only the littl’uns are afraid of the dark, noises in the night and the absence of adults.
Later, even the bigger boys are overwhelmed by issues regarding survival on the desert island.
Fear prompts them to forget the boy with the birthmark who disappeared in the fire on the island.
Hunting for food to survive competes with the need to be rescued.
Rivalry develops between Ralph and Jack and they, eventually, seperate.
Roger plays dangerous games with Henry.
Simon is murdered.
Piggy is murdered.
Jack’s tribe hunts Ralph down.
Murder becomes the order of the day.
Innocence is lost.
The boys’ behaviour becomes savage.
Discuss how the boys try to set up rules on the island that reflect their experiences at home
The laws and rules the children followed before arriving on the island:
Children respected adults and followed their instructions
they learnt and carried out household chores
they followed regular eatings habits and kept neat and clean
they could not take a life
they had good ablution facilities.
Discuss how these rules change as the boys try to survive on the island in the absence of grown-ups
Children become savages to ensure survival
They play and do not do anything useful.
Eat wild fruit and hunt animals. Kill pigs - can now take a life without thinking twice.
They get very dirty and unkempt.
Commit murder without showing any remorse.
Discuss how the relationship between Ralph and Jack affects the way the rules are obeyed
How Ralph and Jack become chiefs:
Ralph’s leadership ensures adherence to rules.
Jack’s leadership turns them into savages.
Jack entices them to use violence to get their way, e.g. forcing the twins to join the tribe.
Discuss Ralph’s behaviour at the beginning of the novel
Carefree Happy Enjoys having fun Careless Has little consideration for Piggy's sensitivity
Discuss Jack’s behaviour at the beginning of the novel:
Proud of his position in the choir Enjoys power Marches the choir to the rock Is the natural leader Ralph and Jack like each other
Discuss the formation of two groups and the duties of each:
Ralph’s group: focus on the fire and keeping it going; building shelters - caring
Jack’s group: focus on food; they go hunting; hold a feast - providing
Discuss the strengths of Ralph as leader:
Democratic leadership style
Generally shows respect for everyone
Not afraid to challenge Jack
Believes in order and rulesd
Discuss the weaknesses of Ralph as leader:
Beacomes nervous easily
Cannot make decisions quickly
Providing food for the group is not a priority
Dicuss the strengths of Jack as leader
Realizes that providing meat is a priority as it wins the favour of the boys
He succeeds in providing meat
Commands respect because of his physical strength and strength of character
