Background
.In 1954, William Golding published his first novel, Lord of the Flies, which details the adventures of British schoolboys stranded on an island in the Pacific who descend into barbaric behavior. Although at first rejected by twenty-one different publishing houses, Golding's first novel become a surprise success, winning the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Adventure stories such as Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson depict people who are stranded on deserted islands transforming and civilizing nature. Lord of the Flies subverts the genre. It shows boys stranded on an island who try to civilize nature, but instead descend into savagery. While other adventure novels support the idea that man is inherently civilized, Lord of the Flies uses the genre to suggest exactly the opposite.
William Golding's Lord of the Flies explores the struggle between good and evil and was born out of the author's own life experiences. Golding fought in World War II and was part of a generation that witnessed some of man's cruelest acts. To many it seemed that what we gained in technological progress we lost in moral vision.
Every year, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of formal complaints filed by patrons demanding that certain books be removed from schools or public libraries. Lord of the Flies persistently makes the top 100 on this list.
Adventure stories such as Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson depict people who are stranded on deserted islands transforming and civilizing nature. Lord of the Flies subverts the genre. It shows boys stranded on an island who try to civilize nature, but instead descend into savagery. While other adventure novels support the idea that man is inherently civilized, Lord of the Flies uses the genre to suggest exactly the opposite.
William Golding's Lord of the Flies explores the struggle between good and evil and was born out of the author's own life experiences. Golding fought in World War II and was part of a generation that witnessed some of man's cruelest acts. To many it seemed that what we gained in technological progress we lost in moral vision.
Every year, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of formal complaints filed by patrons demanding that certain books be removed from schools or public libraries. Lord of the Flies persistently makes the top 100 on this list.
Lord of the Flies Study Questions
As you read the novel, keep in mind that the behavior of the characters is meant to be indicative of human nature in a general sense, not simply a reflection of the behavior of boys. What insights into (or opinions about) human nature do the characters' actions reveal?
The following questions will be the jumping off points for our discussions.
A document file is available below.
The following questions will be the jumping off points for our discussions.
A document file is available below.
Lord of the Flies Study Questions | |
File Size: | 70 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Chapter 1: “The Sound of the Shell”
1. Describe the major characters: Ralph, Piggy, and Jack.
2. What instances of foreshadowing occur in this chapter? What predictions can you make about what sorts of things might happen later in the novel?
3. What do the boys‟ attitudes and actions (e.g. Ralph‟s joy at being free of “grownups,” the vote for leader, Ralph‟s telling the other boys about Piggy‟s nickname) reveal about human nature?
4. What is the significance (the meaning and importance) of the boys‟ encounter with the wild piglet?
5. What do you think the “sound of the shell” and the conch itself might symbolize?
1. Describe the major characters: Ralph, Piggy, and Jack.
2. What instances of foreshadowing occur in this chapter? What predictions can you make about what sorts of things might happen later in the novel?
3. What do the boys‟ attitudes and actions (e.g. Ralph‟s joy at being free of “grownups,” the vote for leader, Ralph‟s telling the other boys about Piggy‟s nickname) reveal about human nature?
4. What is the significance (the meaning and importance) of the boys‟ encounter with the wild piglet?
5. What do you think the “sound of the shell” and the conch itself might symbolize?
Chapter 2: “Fire on the Mountain”
1. What do you think is the significance of the “snake-thing” or “beastie”? Consider the little boy‟s description of the creature, the discussion of nightmares, Ralph‟s feeling that he is “facing something ungraspable” when confronted with this problem, and his need to repeat loudly that “there isn‟t a beast.”
2. What does Jack‟s behavior in this chapter suggest about him (e.g. his attitude toward killing pigs and hunting the beast, his excitement about the rules and the consequences of violating them, his treatment of Piggy etc.)? In what way(s) might the behavior of the boys during the meeting foreshadow later events?
3. What do you think Piggy‟s glasses might represent? Consider their normal function, the use they are put to in this chapter, Piggy‟s intelligence, and Piggy‟s helplessness without them.
4. What hypocritical irony is there in the boys‟ treatment of Piggy in contrast with their treatment of Ralph and Jack? What does this fact suggest about human nature?
5. What is ironic about consequences of the boys‟ decision to light a fire? In light of these consequences, what do you think it and the “drum-roll” represent?
6. What do the events of these first two chapters reveal about the major themes of the novel?
1. What do you think is the significance of the “snake-thing” or “beastie”? Consider the little boy‟s description of the creature, the discussion of nightmares, Ralph‟s feeling that he is “facing something ungraspable” when confronted with this problem, and his need to repeat loudly that “there isn‟t a beast.”
2. What does Jack‟s behavior in this chapter suggest about him (e.g. his attitude toward killing pigs and hunting the beast, his excitement about the rules and the consequences of violating them, his treatment of Piggy etc.)? In what way(s) might the behavior of the boys during the meeting foreshadow later events?
3. What do you think Piggy‟s glasses might represent? Consider their normal function, the use they are put to in this chapter, Piggy‟s intelligence, and Piggy‟s helplessness without them.
4. What hypocritical irony is there in the boys‟ treatment of Piggy in contrast with their treatment of Ralph and Jack? What does this fact suggest about human nature?
5. What is ironic about consequences of the boys‟ decision to light a fire? In light of these consequences, what do you think it and the “drum-roll” represent?
6. What do the events of these first two chapters reveal about the major themes of the novel?
Chapter 3: “Huts on the Beach”
1. Discuss the change in Jack‟s personality that is described at the beginning of the chapter. What is Jack‟s highest priority, and what does this tell us about him?
2. How are the all of the boys except Ralph and Simon (and Jack) behaving? What is Golding telling us about human nature? What important qualities do Ralph, Simon, and Piggy have that the other boys seem to lack?
3. What is making it difficult for Ralph and Jack to communicate and get along? Where do you think their differences will lead?
4. Why do you think Jack and the littluns (and others, probably) have fears about a “beastie,” but Ralph, Simon, and Piggy don‟t? What theme does this suggest?
5. What does this chapter reveal about Simon‟s personality, and what importance do you think this will have later in the novel? (How do you think the other boys will react to Simon?)
1. Discuss the change in Jack‟s personality that is described at the beginning of the chapter. What is Jack‟s highest priority, and what does this tell us about him?
2. How are the all of the boys except Ralph and Simon (and Jack) behaving? What is Golding telling us about human nature? What important qualities do Ralph, Simon, and Piggy have that the other boys seem to lack?
3. What is making it difficult for Ralph and Jack to communicate and get along? Where do you think their differences will lead?
4. Why do you think Jack and the littluns (and others, probably) have fears about a “beastie,” but Ralph, Simon, and Piggy don‟t? What theme does this suggest?
5. What does this chapter reveal about Simon‟s personality, and what importance do you think this will have later in the novel? (How do you think the other boys will react to Simon?)
Chapter 4: “Painted Faces and Long Hair”
1. Describe the behavior of the boys at the beginning of the chapter. What thematic significance does this scene have?
2. Why does Maurice walk away when Percival starts crying, and why doesn‟t Roger throw the stones directly at Henry? What does their behavior suggest about human nature?
3. Why do the hunters decide to “paint” themselves with clay and charcoal? What effect does doing this have on their behavior, and why? Does this “makeup” have any symbolic meaning?
4. How do the hunters behave in response to the success of the hunt, and what is the significance of this behavior?
5. How does Ralph “assert his chieftainship” after the argument with the hunters? Why do you think this gesture is so effective?
6. What do you think will result from the open conflict between Jack and Ralph and from Jack‟s success at getting meat? What is the significance of the boys‟ reaction to being able to eat meat, and how does this compare to their reaction about having missed a chance to be rescued?
7. Discuss the thematic significance of the title of the chapter.
1. Describe the behavior of the boys at the beginning of the chapter. What thematic significance does this scene have?
2. Why does Maurice walk away when Percival starts crying, and why doesn‟t Roger throw the stones directly at Henry? What does their behavior suggest about human nature?
3. Why do the hunters decide to “paint” themselves with clay and charcoal? What effect does doing this have on their behavior, and why? Does this “makeup” have any symbolic meaning?
4. How do the hunters behave in response to the success of the hunt, and what is the significance of this behavior?
5. How does Ralph “assert his chieftainship” after the argument with the hunters? Why do you think this gesture is so effective?
6. What do you think will result from the open conflict between Jack and Ralph and from Jack‟s success at getting meat? What is the significance of the boys‟ reaction to being able to eat meat, and how does this compare to their reaction about having missed a chance to be rescued?
7. Discuss the thematic significance of the title of the chapter.
Chapter 5: “Beast from Water”
1. What change has come over Ralph as a result of the signal fire incident? How have his values changed?
2. What points does Ralph make at the meeting? What general point does he make that he wants people to discuss? Why are these points so significant?
3. What does Jack say in response to Ralph‟s comments? Why do you think Ralph is shocked?
4. What does Piggy mean by his claim that “life is scientific”? What does he mean when he suggests that “there isn‟t no fear, either[…]unless we get frightened of people”?
5. What does Percival say when Jack asks him where the beast lives? Why do you think he says this?
6. What does Simon say about the beast, and what do you think he means? How does everyone else react to what he says?
7. Why are the rules so important to Ralph? What are the consequences of breaking them?
8. Why does Piggy say that Ralph should blow the conch to call everyone back, and why does Ralph decide not to?
1. What change has come over Ralph as a result of the signal fire incident? How have his values changed?
2. What points does Ralph make at the meeting? What general point does he make that he wants people to discuss? Why are these points so significant?
3. What does Jack say in response to Ralph‟s comments? Why do you think Ralph is shocked?
4. What does Piggy mean by his claim that “life is scientific”? What does he mean when he suggests that “there isn‟t no fear, either[…]unless we get frightened of people”?
5. What does Percival say when Jack asks him where the beast lives? Why do you think he says this?
6. What does Simon say about the beast, and what do you think he means? How does everyone else react to what he says?
7. Why are the rules so important to Ralph? What are the consequences of breaking them?
8. Why does Piggy say that Ralph should blow the conch to call everyone back, and why does Ralph decide not to?
Chapter 6: “Beast from Air”
1. What is the “beast from air”? How is it appropriate that the boys mistake it for a beast—what connection does it have with the novel‟s themes, and what does it symbolize?
2. What does Sam and Eric‟s description of the beast tell us about human psychology?
3. How does Ralph overcome Jack‟s challenge during the discussion about what to do about the beast?
4. What significant thoughts does Simon have about the beast while the boys are walking to the “castle”?
5. Why do you think Ralph doesn‟t really expect to encounter the beast?
6. How do most of the boys react to their discovery of the “castle”? What foreshadowing takes place at the end of the chapter?
1. What is the “beast from air”? How is it appropriate that the boys mistake it for a beast—what connection does it have with the novel‟s themes, and what does it symbolize?
2. What does Sam and Eric‟s description of the beast tell us about human psychology?
3. How does Ralph overcome Jack‟s challenge during the discussion about what to do about the beast?
4. What significant thoughts does Simon have about the beast while the boys are walking to the “castle”?
5. Why do you think Ralph doesn‟t really expect to encounter the beast?
6. How do most of the boys react to their discovery of the “castle”? What foreshadowing takes place at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 7: “Shadows and Tall Trees”
1. What embarrassing thing does Ralph say to himself near the beginning of the chapter that he‟s afraid someone might have overheard? What does he mean by it? What change in Ralph does the act of talking to himself demonstrate?
2. What does Simon say to Ralph that makes them both smile? Think carefully about Simon‟s choice of words—do you think it foreshadows something that might happen later in the novel?
3. What disturbing thing do the group of hunters and Ralph do immediately after their encounter with the pig? How is Ralph‟s behavior surprising? What does this behavior foreshadow?
4. Why do you think Simon is so eager to volunteer to go across the island to tell Piggy and the littluns what they‟re doing?
5. Why do you think Jack insists on going up the mountain to look for the beast even though it‟s already dark when they arrive? What internal conflict does Ralph feel about the decision to go up the mountain in the dark?
6. Why do you think Golding (the author) plotted the story so that the boys would go up the mountain in the dark?
1. What embarrassing thing does Ralph say to himself near the beginning of the chapter that he‟s afraid someone might have overheard? What does he mean by it? What change in Ralph does the act of talking to himself demonstrate?
2. What does Simon say to Ralph that makes them both smile? Think carefully about Simon‟s choice of words—do you think it foreshadows something that might happen later in the novel?
3. What disturbing thing do the group of hunters and Ralph do immediately after their encounter with the pig? How is Ralph‟s behavior surprising? What does this behavior foreshadow?
4. Why do you think Simon is so eager to volunteer to go across the island to tell Piggy and the littluns what they‟re doing?
5. Why do you think Jack insists on going up the mountain to look for the beast even though it‟s already dark when they arrive? What internal conflict does Ralph feel about the decision to go up the mountain in the dark?
6. Why do you think Golding (the author) plotted the story so that the boys would go up the mountain in the dark?
Chapter 8: “Gift for the Darkness”
1. What does Ralph say that angers Jack? How does Jack express his anger? How does Jack respond to his failure to get support from the group, and what does this response suggest about the boys‟ future?
2. How does Piggy show “intellectual daring”? Why is this so significant to the boys?
3. Why do you think the biguns wait until the other boys are occupied to leave instead of supporting Jack‟s challenge during the meeting?
4. What unusual thing happens to Ralph after Jack leaves and after he realizes most of the biguns have left? What is the significance of his reaction?
5. What suggestion does Simon make, and why do you think he makes it? What does he mean when he says, “What else is there to do?” What are the consequences of the group‟s decision not to follow Simon‟s suggestion?
6. What do Jack and the biguns first decide to “do” about the beast, and what does this say about human nature? Think back to question # 2.
7. What foolish decision does Jack make during the hunt, and why is it foolish?
1. What does Ralph say that angers Jack? How does Jack express his anger? How does Jack respond to his failure to get support from the group, and what does this response suggest about the boys‟ future?
2. How does Piggy show “intellectual daring”? Why is this so significant to the boys?
3. Why do you think the biguns wait until the other boys are occupied to leave instead of supporting Jack‟s challenge during the meeting?
4. What unusual thing happens to Ralph after Jack leaves and after he realizes most of the biguns have left? What is the significance of his reaction?
5. What suggestion does Simon make, and why do you think he makes it? What does he mean when he says, “What else is there to do?” What are the consequences of the group‟s decision not to follow Simon‟s suggestion?
6. What do Jack and the biguns first decide to “do” about the beast, and what does this say about human nature? Think back to question # 2.
7. What foolish decision does Jack make during the hunt, and why is it foolish?
Chapter 9: “A View to a Death”
1. What are the purpose and effect of Jack‟s generosity with the meat he and the hunters obtained? What do you think his decision to give meat to even Ralph and Piggy is meant to show?
2. Why does Jack command the boys to dance and chant, and why is this an effective leadership tactic? What psychological effect does dancing and chanting have on the boys? Think back to the effect that putting on makeup had on them in Chapter 4.
3. What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?
4. Why do you think Golding decided to have the “figure” fly over the boys on the beach and into the sea? Why do you think he had Simon‟s body get washed away, and what does this represent in a psychological sense?
1. What are the purpose and effect of Jack‟s generosity with the meat he and the hunters obtained? What do you think his decision to give meat to even Ralph and Piggy is meant to show?
2. Why does Jack command the boys to dance and chant, and why is this an effective leadership tactic? What psychological effect does dancing and chanting have on the boys? Think back to the effect that putting on makeup had on them in Chapter 4.
3. What is the “beast” that the boys kill? How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)? How is it symbolically significant?
4. Why do you think Golding decided to have the “figure” fly over the boys on the beach and into the sea? Why do you think he had Simon‟s body get washed away, and what does this represent in a psychological sense?
Chapter 10: “The Shell and the Glasses”
1. How do Ralph and Piggy view Simon‟s death? How does each of them react to it? Why does Ralph laugh as he says, “I got the conch,” and why does Piggy react so strongly to his laughter? What explanations do they have for their behavior, and what excuses do they come up with? What do these reactions show about them and about human nature?
2. What does the narrator mean to suggest when he says, “Memory of the dance that none of them had attended shook all four boys convulsively”?
3. How do the biguns seem to define a “proper chief”? What does this criterion suggest about human psychology?
4. What does Jack do that causes Roger to have doubts about his leadership?
5. What feelings, beliefs, and speculations do Jack‟s biguns have about what happened the night before at the feast? Can you explain why they did what they did? Why are they “half-relieved, half-daunted by the implication of further terrors”? Consider the significance of the quotes below, especially the second one. What unspoken words complete the first sentence?
“But didn‟t we, didn‟t we—” "No!”
“How could we—kill—it?”
“Each savage flinched away from his individual memory.”
“I expect the beast disguised itself.”
6. What signs of stress and fear can we see in Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric‟s behavior in this chapter?
1. How do Ralph and Piggy view Simon‟s death? How does each of them react to it? Why does Ralph laugh as he says, “I got the conch,” and why does Piggy react so strongly to his laughter? What explanations do they have for their behavior, and what excuses do they come up with? What do these reactions show about them and about human nature?
2. What does the narrator mean to suggest when he says, “Memory of the dance that none of them had attended shook all four boys convulsively”?
3. How do the biguns seem to define a “proper chief”? What does this criterion suggest about human psychology?
4. What does Jack do that causes Roger to have doubts about his leadership?
5. What feelings, beliefs, and speculations do Jack‟s biguns have about what happened the night before at the feast? Can you explain why they did what they did? Why are they “half-relieved, half-daunted by the implication of further terrors”? Consider the significance of the quotes below, especially the second one. What unspoken words complete the first sentence?
“But didn‟t we, didn‟t we—” "No!”
“How could we—kill—it?”
“Each savage flinched away from his individual memory.”
“I expect the beast disguised itself.”
6. What signs of stress and fear can we see in Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric‟s behavior in this chapter?
Chapter 11: “Castle Rock”
1. In what way are the twins “seeing Ralph for the first time” before they all set off for Castle Rock?
2. Why is the boys‟ attempt to get back Piggy‟s specs and get the other boys to maintain a signal fire bound to fail?
3. Why do you think Roger pushes the rock off the cliff?
4. How is the desctruction of the conch symbolically significant?
1. In what way are the twins “seeing Ralph for the first time” before they all set off for Castle Rock?
2. Why is the boys‟ attempt to get back Piggy‟s specs and get the other boys to maintain a signal fire bound to fail?
3. Why do you think Roger pushes the rock off the cliff?
4. How is the desctruction of the conch symbolically significant?
Chapter 12: “Cry of the Hunters”
1. Why does Ralph think that the boy he sees is “not Bill”?
2. Why does Ralph hit the pig‟s head?
3. Why do you think Samneric decide to join Jack‟s tribe? Why do they tell Jack where Ralph is hidden?
4. What do Samneric mean when they tell Ralph that Jack has “sharpened a stick at both ends”? What do you think the reason for Jack‟s hatred is?
5. What foolish method do the boys use to ensure that they find Ralph? What does this decision suggest about the power of hatred and violence versus the power of reason?
6. Where does Ralph decide to hide? What does this hiding place symbolize?
7. Explain the significance of this quotation: “Percival Wemys Madison sought in his head for an incantation that had faded clean away.”
8. What is ironic about how the boys are saved? What is ironic about the fact that the boys, who have become savages, are British, and why do you think Golding chose to write about a group of British boys? Consider what 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.”
1. Why does Ralph think that the boy he sees is “not Bill”?
2. Why does Ralph hit the pig‟s head?
3. Why do you think Samneric decide to join Jack‟s tribe? Why do they tell Jack where Ralph is hidden?
4. What do Samneric mean when they tell Ralph that Jack has “sharpened a stick at both ends”? What do you think the reason for Jack‟s hatred is?
5. What foolish method do the boys use to ensure that they find Ralph? What does this decision suggest about the power of hatred and violence versus the power of reason?
6. Where does Ralph decide to hide? What does this hiding place symbolize?
7. Explain the significance of this quotation: “Percival Wemys Madison sought in his head for an incantation that had faded clean away.”
8. What is ironic about how the boys are saved? What is ironic about the fact that the boys, who have become savages, are British, and why do you think Golding chose to write about a group of British boys? Consider what 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.”
Review Questions
1. How do the following items function as symbols in this novel: Piggy’s glasses, the conch
shell, the fire, the pig’s head?
2. The Romantics believed that human nature was inherently good but had become corrupted
by civilization. The boys in this novel were raised on books like Robinson Crusoe, The Blue
Lagoon, and Swiss Family Robinson, in which shipwrecked people make decent lives on
their islands. How does this book refute that Romantic notion?
3. Throughout the novel, the nature of the Beast changes for the boys. Trace the boys’
perception of the Beast from Chapter One through Chapter Twelve.
4. Gradually, the boys become less and less civilized and more and more savage. Trace the progression of their devolution.
5. What does it mean to say that Lord of the Flies is an allegorical novel?
6. Cite examples from the text to support the idea that Simon is a Christ-figure.
7. Explain Golding’s view of humanity as illustrated in Lord of the Flies. What circumstances or situations from his background
may have influenced his views? With which character does Golding most closely identify? Why? How does Simon fit into
Golding’s view?
8. Compare and contrast Jack and Ralph; include physical appearance, character qualities, leadership ability, and style.
9. Discuss the development of the main themes: Civilization vs.Savagery, Individualism vs. Community, The Nature of Evil, Man
vs. Nature
1. How do the following items function as symbols in this novel: Piggy’s glasses, the conch
shell, the fire, the pig’s head?
2. The Romantics believed that human nature was inherently good but had become corrupted
by civilization. The boys in this novel were raised on books like Robinson Crusoe, The Blue
Lagoon, and Swiss Family Robinson, in which shipwrecked people make decent lives on
their islands. How does this book refute that Romantic notion?
3. Throughout the novel, the nature of the Beast changes for the boys. Trace the boys’
perception of the Beast from Chapter One through Chapter Twelve.
4. Gradually, the boys become less and less civilized and more and more savage. Trace the progression of their devolution.
5. What does it mean to say that Lord of the Flies is an allegorical novel?
6. Cite examples from the text to support the idea that Simon is a Christ-figure.
7. Explain Golding’s view of humanity as illustrated in Lord of the Flies. What circumstances or situations from his background
may have influenced his views? With which character does Golding most closely identify? Why? How does Simon fit into
Golding’s view?
8. Compare and contrast Jack and Ralph; include physical appearance, character qualities, leadership ability, and style.
9. Discuss the development of the main themes: Civilization vs.Savagery, Individualism vs. Community, The Nature of Evil, Man
vs. Nature
After the Novel
Socratic Seminar
A Socratic seminar is a "collaborative, intellectual dialogue facilitated with open-ended questions about a text." After our reading of The Lord of the Flies, we will divide into two groups, each discussing a different text, "An Old Story Well Told" by William R. Mueller or "Simon" by Donald R. Spangler. You will be provided with a print copy of your article.
Before the Socratic Seminar
Read and prepare your text before the seminar using the critical reading process.
1. Make sure you understand your purpose for reading. The reading prompt is "How does the text contribute to your
understanding of the novel?"
2. Pre-read by previewing the text and determining how it is structured, thinking about any background information you
already know or you discussed in class, and noticing the questions you have before you read.
3. Interact with the text so you read it closely. This includes:
Marking the text:
1. Number the paragraphs
2. Highlight or underline key information. This includes the writer's claim, supporting arguments and evidence, The trick is to not over-highlight or over-underline. Mark what is most important.
3. Use brackets to single out important paragraphs/sections. If the text is too long to highlight or underline, bracketing will help you determine which parts are important later.
4. Write notes and questions in the margins. If you chose to highlight, underline, or bracket be sure to use a pen or
pencil to write the significance of the text or ask questions in the margins so that you can quickly remember its importance without having to re-read the entire paragraph or section.
5. Look up words and concepts you don't know. Have your phone or a dictionary on-hand to look up words or references that are not completely clear. Write the definition or brief note in the margins.
6. Summarize sections/long paragraphs in the margins. To keep your memory fresh, write brief notes and phrases in the margins next to each paragraph that briefly summarize the main point or subject matter.
7. Extend beyond the text by writing several open-ended, higher-level questions that have no single right answer and will encourage discussion. Areas to consider for questions:
During the Seminar
Use all of your close reading to participate in a discussion that helps you understand the text at a deeper level. Be ready to discuss the text like the scholar you are!
1. Be prepared to participate and ask good questions. The quality of the seminar is diminished when participants speak without
preparation.
2. Show respect for differing ideas, thoughts, and values--no put-downs or sarcasm.
3. Allow each speaker enough time to begin and finish his or her thoughts—don’t interrupt.
4. Involve others in the discussion, and ask others to elaborate on their responses
5. Build on what others say: ask questions to probe deeper, clarify, paraphrase and add, synthesize a variety of different views in
your own summary. Examples:
7. Participate openly and keep your mind open to new ideas and possibilities.
8. Refer to the text often, and give evidence and examples to support your response. Example: “The author has clearly stated in
line 22 that…”
9. Discuss the ideas of the text, not each other’s opinions or personal experiences.
10. Take notes about important points you want to remember or new questions you want to ask.
After the Seminar
Think about what you’ve learned as a result of participating in the Socratic seminar.
1. Summarize: Use writing to think about and summarize the content of the seminar, especially to capture new understandings of
the text.
Examples of Summary Questions/Prompts:
Examples of Reflection Questions/Prompts:
Examples of Goal-setting Questions/Prompts:
A Socratic seminar is a "collaborative, intellectual dialogue facilitated with open-ended questions about a text." After our reading of The Lord of the Flies, we will divide into two groups, each discussing a different text, "An Old Story Well Told" by William R. Mueller or "Simon" by Donald R. Spangler. You will be provided with a print copy of your article.
Before the Socratic Seminar
Read and prepare your text before the seminar using the critical reading process.
1. Make sure you understand your purpose for reading. The reading prompt is "How does the text contribute to your
understanding of the novel?"
2. Pre-read by previewing the text and determining how it is structured, thinking about any background information you
already know or you discussed in class, and noticing the questions you have before you read.
3. Interact with the text so you read it closely. This includes:
Marking the text:
1. Number the paragraphs
2. Highlight or underline key information. This includes the writer's claim, supporting arguments and evidence, The trick is to not over-highlight or over-underline. Mark what is most important.
3. Use brackets to single out important paragraphs/sections. If the text is too long to highlight or underline, bracketing will help you determine which parts are important later.
4. Write notes and questions in the margins. If you chose to highlight, underline, or bracket be sure to use a pen or
pencil to write the significance of the text or ask questions in the margins so that you can quickly remember its importance without having to re-read the entire paragraph or section.
5. Look up words and concepts you don't know. Have your phone or a dictionary on-hand to look up words or references that are not completely clear. Write the definition or brief note in the margins.
6. Summarize sections/long paragraphs in the margins. To keep your memory fresh, write brief notes and phrases in the margins next to each paragraph that briefly summarize the main point or subject matter.
7. Extend beyond the text by writing several open-ended, higher-level questions that have no single right answer and will encourage discussion. Areas to consider for questions:
- How does the text compare to your interpretation of Lord of the Flies?
- How does the text add to your understanding of Lord of Flies?
- What is your response to the author's claim? Do you agree or disagree with his position?
- How effective is the author's support for his claim?
During the Seminar
Use all of your close reading to participate in a discussion that helps you understand the text at a deeper level. Be ready to discuss the text like the scholar you are!
1. Be prepared to participate and ask good questions. The quality of the seminar is diminished when participants speak without
preparation.
2. Show respect for differing ideas, thoughts, and values--no put-downs or sarcasm.
3. Allow each speaker enough time to begin and finish his or her thoughts—don’t interrupt.
4. Involve others in the discussion, and ask others to elaborate on their responses
5. Build on what others say: ask questions to probe deeper, clarify, paraphrase and add, synthesize a variety of different views in
your own summary. Examples:
- Ask questions to probe deeper: “Juan makes me think of another point: why would the author include….?” or “Sonya, what makes you think that the author meant…?”
- Clarify: “I think what Stephanie is trying to say is….” or “I’m not sure I understand what you are saying, Jeff. What is….”
- Paraphrase and add: “Lupe said that…. I agree with her and also think….”
- Synthesize: “Based on the ideas from Tim, Shanequia, and Maya, it seems like we all think that the author is….”
7. Participate openly and keep your mind open to new ideas and possibilities.
8. Refer to the text often, and give evidence and examples to support your response. Example: “The author has clearly stated in
line 22 that…”
9. Discuss the ideas of the text, not each other’s opinions or personal experiences.
10. Take notes about important points you want to remember or new questions you want to ask.
After the Seminar
Think about what you’ve learned as a result of participating in the Socratic seminar.
1. Summarize: Use writing to think about and summarize the content of the seminar, especially to capture new understandings of
the text.
Examples of Summary Questions/Prompts:
- Based on this seminar, what are the most important points about this text?
- How does my understanding of the text connect to other things I’m learning?
- What major ideas do I better understand about this text after the seminar?
- There are three main ideas I’m taking away from this seminar…
Examples of Reflection Questions/Prompts:
- How did I contribute to this discussion—what did I add to it?
- What questions do I now have as a result of this seminar?
- Who helped move the dialogue forward? How?
- At what point did the seminar lapse into debate/discussion rather than dialogue? How did the group handle this?
- Did anyone dominate the conversation? How did the group handle this?
- What would I like to do differently as a participant the next time I am in a seminar?
Examples of Goal-setting Questions/Prompts:
- What will I do differently to make the next seminar better?
- Two things I will do in the next seminar to be a more active listener….
- To be better prepared for the seminar, I will do _____________ with the text.
Extended Response Topics
On Friday, 2/19, you will be asked to respond to two topics related to Lord of the Flies. The topics will be divided into "Column A" and "Column B." You will choose one from each column. Combined, the writing task will be worth 50 points.
These topics will be included:
You may not use your text or notes for these responses.
These topics will be included:
- Choose one of the following items and discuss how it functions as a symbol in this novel: Piggy’s glasses, the conch shell, the fire, or the pig’s head?
- The Romantics believed that human nature was inherently good but had become corrupted by civilization. The boys in this novel were raised on books like Robinson Crusoe, The Blue Lagoon, and Swiss Family Robinson, in which shipwrecked people make decent lives on their islands. How does this book refute that Romantic notion?
- Gradually, the boys become less and less civilized and more and more savage. Trace the progression of their devolution.
- Compare and contrast Jack and Ralph; include physical appearance, character qualities, leadership ability, and style.
You may not use your text or notes for these responses.