Lord of the Flies: The Novel Study

Synopsis

A plane has been shot down, and the passenger tube has crashed into a tropical island. It appears that most of the passengers—all boys—escaped the tube before it washed out to sea. The boys elect a boy named Ralph as their chief, and Ralph assigns Jack and his choir to be the island’s hunters. A survey of the island determines that the boys are the only ones there. On their first hunting trip, Jack hesitates when given the chance to kill a pig, allowing it to escape.

Discussion

1. The boys create a system of government by calling a meeting and electing Ralph as their chief. Consider the election process.
   1. How did the boys come about to decide to hold an election?
   2. What are the boys’ criteria for choosing their leader?
   3. Do you think Ralph was the right choice? Why or why not?
   4. Do you see any connection between the boys’ election and today’s elections?
   5. Why do you think Golding called it “this toy voting” (p. 24)?
      
      
2. Upon being elected chief, what does Ralph offer Jack? Why do you think he did this?
   
   
3. After surveying the island, Ralph, Jack, and Simon determine that it is
   uninhabited. Ralph proclaims “This belongs to us” (p. 31). It has been said that for a State to exist, four conditions must be met:
   1. A territory: a defined area of land.
   2. A population: people must occupy the territory.
   3. Unity: the territory must not be part of a wider political unit.
   4. Organization: the population must agree to form a government.
   Consider these conditions against what is revealed in the first chapter. Have the boys created a State?