Senior AP English Literature Summer Reading Program
Overview:
Due to time constraints, those electing to participate in AP English Literature for the 2013-2014 school year are required to take part in the summer reading program. Failure to complete the following assignments by their assigned due dates will result in removal from AP English Literature. Attached you will find a reading and blog posting calendar, and it is vital that you adhere to the given schedule. Your intellectual insights regarding various literary works and your ability to discuss these insights will be the building blocks of AP Literature. You will be required to purchase your own copies of the books which can be done cheaply at www.half.com, or check them out from your local library. If you have trouble doing so, you need to let me know immediately.
Contact/AP Blog Info
Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Cell Phone
229-402-5962
Website
hulseyaplit.weebly.com
Explanation of Posting and Dialectical Journals
Weekly Reading Postings:
Each week, you will be required to respond to a posting on the AP literature blog. The specific schedule for these postings can be found on the attached reading and posting calendar. These postings will be due by 12 PM on the Saturday specified. Keep in mind that none of these questions should be answered superficially. Provide an in-depth, specific response. Should your response not be in depth enough, I will comment that you need to add more detail. You will have 24 hours to do so. Three tries is all you will be provided, so it is best to respond fully the first time.
Weekly Response Postings
You will also be required to post one weekly response to your classmate’s discussions. Choose one and provide a well thought out reaction to what your classmate stated. These will be due by 5PM on the Wednesday specified. Check the calendar for specific dates.
Dialectical Journals
Along with two required books, you will also need to choose a book from the provided book list to read this summer. This will not require any blog postings, but you do have to complete a dialectical journal. Directions for these journals can be found attached. This journal will not be due until the first day of classes. Failure to bring the journal on the first day will result in a change of schedule. Though you will have a few weeks in August dedicated to reading the book of your choice and completing your journal, I recommend you read your choice book throughout the summer, simultaneously with your required books.
May 26-June 29: “How To Read Literature Like a Professor” by Thomas C. Foster
Week One: Post a response under the welcome posting telling me your choice book
Post 1: Choose one of the following;
· Explain the concept of a “Faustian Bargain” and describe how and why it is a major archetype in literature.
· What five things does a quest consist of and what is the real reason for a quest? What is Foster’s overall point about journeys or trips in literature?
· For what reason does Foster suggest that authors often include meal scenes? What does a failed meal suggest in literature?
· What is the difference between literal and symbolic vampirism? What to the “essentials of the vampire story” represent?
· What does Foster mean when he says that “there’s no such things as a wholly original work of literature”?
· Why is Shakespeare and the bible so often alluded to in literature? What are the benefits of knowing/understanding bible allusions in literature?
Post 2: Choose one of the following:
· How can weather be symbolic in literature? How can it serve as a plot device and what are some of the common “meanings” of various types of weather?
· What are the reasons Foster provides that lead him to believe that most writers do not accidentally create symbols, allusions, and patterns we find when we read critically?
· Whether we believe a writer intended to do something or not, what’s the benefit of noticing that it happened anyway?
· Why does violence occur in literature and what are the two categories of violence in literature? What questions should a reader ask about the violence found in a piece of literature?
· What impacts a readers’ understanding of symbolic meaning? How should a reader approach symbolism in a text?
Post 3: Choose one of the following:
· In what ways and why do author’s include social criticism in their writings?
· What are some of the common “political” issues that writers tackle?
· Why do so many writers “toy with flight” in their works and in what ways might flight be symbolic in literature?
· When and how is water symbolic of baptism in literature? What does it mean if a character drowns?
Post 4; Choose one of the following
· How can geography reinforce theme, define/develop a character, or “be” a character?
· What are the symbolic implications of each major season (spring, summer, fall, winter)?
· What might physical marks or imperfections symbolize? Beyond the individual, what can imperfection or deformity indicate?
· What are some of the symbolic indications of monsters in literature?
· What can physical blindness mirror and what is often the irony behind a blind character?
· How are darkness and lightness related to sight?
Post 5: Choose one of the following
· What things make a “prime literary disease” and what are some of the conventional symbolic meanings of various illnesses?
· Do we have to accept the values of another culture to accept the impact those values had on the writing?
· What does Foster mean when he says “irony trumps everything”? What does he mean when he says “irony doesn’t work for everyone”?
July 30-August 10: “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison
Post 1:
· Reflect upon the racial stereotypes and themes of blindness and violence in the beginning chapters. Comment on the relevance of these.
Post 2: Choose one of the following:
· Earlier in the novel, the reader is introduced to the treachery of white characters, but chapter 4 indicates that even black leaders are not what they seem. Discuss this turn of events.
· Throughout the novel, we find Ellison alluding to Dubois’s image of the “negro” being “born with a veil.” Discuss these allusions and their significance.
Post 3:
· Discuss the narrator’s transformation as a result of his accident at the Liberty Paint Factory.
Post 4; Choose one of the following
· What do you think of Jack’s suggestion that the narrator could be the next Booker. T. Washington? Is this suggestion honorific or problematic?
· Do you agree with Woodridge in that people should privilege their individual growth over the growth of their race?
Post 5
· Try to chronicle all the things that the narrator gathers and keeps in his pockets and briefcase throughout the novel. To what extent are these things burdens? To what extent is the narrator defined by the things that he carries?
Post 6
· Is the mood at the end of the novel hopeful or defeated? Explain your answer.
August 10- Beginning of Course
· The rest of your summer should be dedicated to completing your dialectical journal on your choice novel.
Dialectical Journal Directions
Dialectic: “The art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.”
Think of your dialectical journal as a series of conversations with the text you read over the summer. The process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the text you read this summer. Use your journal to incorporate your personal responses to the text and your ideas about the themes expressed in the book. You will find that it is a useful way to process what you’re reading, prepare yourself for group discussion, and gather textual evidence for the theme analysis assignment you will have when you return to school.
Procedure:
Ø As you read, choose passages that stand out to you and record them in the left-hand column of a T-chart (ALWAYS include page numbers).
Ø In the right column, write your response to the text (ideas/insights, questions, reflections, and comments on each passage).
Ø If you choose, you can label your responses using the following codes:
o (Q) Question – ask about something in the passage that is unclear
o (C) Connect – make a connection to your life, the world, or another text
o (P) Predict – anticipate what will occur based on what’s in the passage
o (CL) Clarify – answer earlier questions or confirm/disaffirm a prediction
o (R) Reflect – think deeply about what the passage means in a broad sense – not just to the characters in the story. What conclusions can you draw about the world, about human nature, or just the way things work?
o (E) Evaluate – make a judgment about the character(s), their actions, or what the author is trying to say
Ø Complete journal entries for every 20 to 25 pages you read.
Sample Dialectical Journal Entry: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Passages from the text
Pg#s
Comments & Questions
“-they carried like freight trains; they carried it on their backs and shoulders-and for all the ambiguities of Vietnam, all the mysteries and unknowns, there was at least the single abiding certainty that they would never be at a loss for things to carry”.
Pg 2
(R) O’Brien chooses to end the first section of the novel with this sentence. He provides excellent visual details of what each solider in Vietnam would carry for day-to-day fighting. He makes you feel the physical weight of what soldiers have to carry for simple survival. When you combine the emotional weight of loved ones at home, the fear of death, and the responsibility for the men you fight with, with this physical weight, you start to understand what soldiers in Vietnam dealt with every day. This quote sums up the confusion that the men felt about the reasons they were fighting the war, and how they clung to the only certainty - things they had to carry - in a confusing world where normal rules were suspended.
Choosing Passages from the Text: Look for quotes that seem significant, powerful, thought-provoking or puzzling. For example, you might record:
Ø Effective and/or creative use of stylistic or literary devices
Ø Passages that remind you of your own life or something you’ve seen before
Ø Structural shifts or turns in the plot
Ø A passage that makes you realize something you had not seen before
Ø Examples of patterns: recurring images, ideas, colors, symbols or motifs
Ø Passages with confusing language or unfamiliar vocabulary
Ø Events you find surprising or confusing
Ø Passages that illustrate a particular character or setting
Responding to the Text:You can respond to the text in a variety of ways. The most important thing to remember is that your observations should be specific and detailed. You can write as much as you want for each entry. You can use loose leaf paper for you journals or print out a chart from your computer.
Ø Basic Responses
o Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text
o Give your personal reactions to the passage
o Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
o Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences
o Write about what it makes you think or feel
o Agree or disagree with a character or the author
Ø Sample Sentence Starters:
o I really don’t understand this because…
o I really dislike/like this idea because…
o I think the author is trying to say that…
o This passage reminds me of a time in my life when…
o If I were (name of character) at this point I would…
o This part doesn’t make sense because…
o This character reminds me of (name of person) because…
Ø Higher Level Responses
o Analyze the text for use of literary devices (tone, structure, style, imagery)
o Make connections between different characters or events in the text
o Make connections to a different text (or film, song, etc…)
o Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
o Consider an event or description from the perspective of a different character
o Analyze a passage and its relationship to the story as a whole
Overview:
Due to time constraints, those electing to participate in AP English Literature for the 2013-2014 school year are required to take part in the summer reading program. Failure to complete the following assignments by their assigned due dates will result in removal from AP English Literature. Attached you will find a reading and blog posting calendar, and it is vital that you adhere to the given schedule. Your intellectual insights regarding various literary works and your ability to discuss these insights will be the building blocks of AP Literature. You will be required to purchase your own copies of the books which can be done cheaply at www.half.com, or check them out from your local library. If you have trouble doing so, you need to let me know immediately.
Contact/AP Blog Info
Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Cell Phone
229-402-5962
Website
hulseyaplit.weebly.com
Explanation of Posting and Dialectical Journals
Weekly Reading Postings:
Each week, you will be required to respond to a posting on the AP literature blog. The specific schedule for these postings can be found on the attached reading and posting calendar. These postings will be due by 12 PM on the Saturday specified. Keep in mind that none of these questions should be answered superficially. Provide an in-depth, specific response. Should your response not be in depth enough, I will comment that you need to add more detail. You will have 24 hours to do so. Three tries is all you will be provided, so it is best to respond fully the first time.
Weekly Response Postings
You will also be required to post one weekly response to your classmate’s discussions. Choose one and provide a well thought out reaction to what your classmate stated. These will be due by 5PM on the Wednesday specified. Check the calendar for specific dates.
Dialectical Journals
Along with two required books, you will also need to choose a book from the provided book list to read this summer. This will not require any blog postings, but you do have to complete a dialectical journal. Directions for these journals can be found attached. This journal will not be due until the first day of classes. Failure to bring the journal on the first day will result in a change of schedule. Though you will have a few weeks in August dedicated to reading the book of your choice and completing your journal, I recommend you read your choice book throughout the summer, simultaneously with your required books.
May 26-June 29: “How To Read Literature Like a Professor” by Thomas C. Foster
Week One: Post a response under the welcome posting telling me your choice book
Post 1: Choose one of the following;
· Explain the concept of a “Faustian Bargain” and describe how and why it is a major archetype in literature.
· What five things does a quest consist of and what is the real reason for a quest? What is Foster’s overall point about journeys or trips in literature?
· For what reason does Foster suggest that authors often include meal scenes? What does a failed meal suggest in literature?
· What is the difference between literal and symbolic vampirism? What to the “essentials of the vampire story” represent?
· What does Foster mean when he says that “there’s no such things as a wholly original work of literature”?
· Why is Shakespeare and the bible so often alluded to in literature? What are the benefits of knowing/understanding bible allusions in literature?
Post 2: Choose one of the following:
· How can weather be symbolic in literature? How can it serve as a plot device and what are some of the common “meanings” of various types of weather?
· What are the reasons Foster provides that lead him to believe that most writers do not accidentally create symbols, allusions, and patterns we find when we read critically?
· Whether we believe a writer intended to do something or not, what’s the benefit of noticing that it happened anyway?
· Why does violence occur in literature and what are the two categories of violence in literature? What questions should a reader ask about the violence found in a piece of literature?
· What impacts a readers’ understanding of symbolic meaning? How should a reader approach symbolism in a text?
Post 3: Choose one of the following:
· In what ways and why do author’s include social criticism in their writings?
· What are some of the common “political” issues that writers tackle?
· Why do so many writers “toy with flight” in their works and in what ways might flight be symbolic in literature?
· When and how is water symbolic of baptism in literature? What does it mean if a character drowns?
Post 4; Choose one of the following
· How can geography reinforce theme, define/develop a character, or “be” a character?
· What are the symbolic implications of each major season (spring, summer, fall, winter)?
· What might physical marks or imperfections symbolize? Beyond the individual, what can imperfection or deformity indicate?
· What are some of the symbolic indications of monsters in literature?
· What can physical blindness mirror and what is often the irony behind a blind character?
· How are darkness and lightness related to sight?
Post 5: Choose one of the following
· What things make a “prime literary disease” and what are some of the conventional symbolic meanings of various illnesses?
· Do we have to accept the values of another culture to accept the impact those values had on the writing?
· What does Foster mean when he says “irony trumps everything”? What does he mean when he says “irony doesn’t work for everyone”?
July 30-August 10: “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison
Post 1:
· Reflect upon the racial stereotypes and themes of blindness and violence in the beginning chapters. Comment on the relevance of these.
Post 2: Choose one of the following:
· Earlier in the novel, the reader is introduced to the treachery of white characters, but chapter 4 indicates that even black leaders are not what they seem. Discuss this turn of events.
· Throughout the novel, we find Ellison alluding to Dubois’s image of the “negro” being “born with a veil.” Discuss these allusions and their significance.
Post 3:
· Discuss the narrator’s transformation as a result of his accident at the Liberty Paint Factory.
Post 4; Choose one of the following
· What do you think of Jack’s suggestion that the narrator could be the next Booker. T. Washington? Is this suggestion honorific or problematic?
· Do you agree with Woodridge in that people should privilege their individual growth over the growth of their race?
Post 5
· Try to chronicle all the things that the narrator gathers and keeps in his pockets and briefcase throughout the novel. To what extent are these things burdens? To what extent is the narrator defined by the things that he carries?
Post 6
· Is the mood at the end of the novel hopeful or defeated? Explain your answer.
August 10- Beginning of Course
· The rest of your summer should be dedicated to completing your dialectical journal on your choice novel.
Dialectical Journal Directions
Dialectic: “The art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.”
Think of your dialectical journal as a series of conversations with the text you read over the summer. The process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the text you read this summer. Use your journal to incorporate your personal responses to the text and your ideas about the themes expressed in the book. You will find that it is a useful way to process what you’re reading, prepare yourself for group discussion, and gather textual evidence for the theme analysis assignment you will have when you return to school.
Procedure:
Ø As you read, choose passages that stand out to you and record them in the left-hand column of a T-chart (ALWAYS include page numbers).
Ø In the right column, write your response to the text (ideas/insights, questions, reflections, and comments on each passage).
Ø If you choose, you can label your responses using the following codes:
o (Q) Question – ask about something in the passage that is unclear
o (C) Connect – make a connection to your life, the world, or another text
o (P) Predict – anticipate what will occur based on what’s in the passage
o (CL) Clarify – answer earlier questions or confirm/disaffirm a prediction
o (R) Reflect – think deeply about what the passage means in a broad sense – not just to the characters in the story. What conclusions can you draw about the world, about human nature, or just the way things work?
o (E) Evaluate – make a judgment about the character(s), their actions, or what the author is trying to say
Ø Complete journal entries for every 20 to 25 pages you read.
Sample Dialectical Journal Entry: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Passages from the text
Pg#s
Comments & Questions
“-they carried like freight trains; they carried it on their backs and shoulders-and for all the ambiguities of Vietnam, all the mysteries and unknowns, there was at least the single abiding certainty that they would never be at a loss for things to carry”.
Pg 2
(R) O’Brien chooses to end the first section of the novel with this sentence. He provides excellent visual details of what each solider in Vietnam would carry for day-to-day fighting. He makes you feel the physical weight of what soldiers have to carry for simple survival. When you combine the emotional weight of loved ones at home, the fear of death, and the responsibility for the men you fight with, with this physical weight, you start to understand what soldiers in Vietnam dealt with every day. This quote sums up the confusion that the men felt about the reasons they were fighting the war, and how they clung to the only certainty - things they had to carry - in a confusing world where normal rules were suspended.
Choosing Passages from the Text: Look for quotes that seem significant, powerful, thought-provoking or puzzling. For example, you might record:
Ø Effective and/or creative use of stylistic or literary devices
Ø Passages that remind you of your own life or something you’ve seen before
Ø Structural shifts or turns in the plot
Ø A passage that makes you realize something you had not seen before
Ø Examples of patterns: recurring images, ideas, colors, symbols or motifs
Ø Passages with confusing language or unfamiliar vocabulary
Ø Events you find surprising or confusing
Ø Passages that illustrate a particular character or setting
Responding to the Text:You can respond to the text in a variety of ways. The most important thing to remember is that your observations should be specific and detailed. You can write as much as you want for each entry. You can use loose leaf paper for you journals or print out a chart from your computer.
Ø Basic Responses
o Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text
o Give your personal reactions to the passage
o Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
o Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences
o Write about what it makes you think or feel
o Agree or disagree with a character or the author
Ø Sample Sentence Starters:
o I really don’t understand this because…
o I really dislike/like this idea because…
o I think the author is trying to say that…
o This passage reminds me of a time in my life when…
o If I were (name of character) at this point I would…
o This part doesn’t make sense because…
o This character reminds me of (name of person) because…
Ø Higher Level Responses
o Analyze the text for use of literary devices (tone, structure, style, imagery)
o Make connections between different characters or events in the text
o Make connections to a different text (or film, song, etc…)
o Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
o Consider an event or description from the perspective of a different character
o Analyze a passage and its relationship to the story as a whole
10th Pre AP Summer Reading
10th Grade Pre-AP Summer Reading
Overview:
Due to time constraints, those participating in the 10th Grade honors courses are required to complete summer reading. These assignments will serve as the first grade of the semester upon returning to school in July.
Contact/AP Blog Info
Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Cell Phone
229-402-5962
Website
hulseyaplit.weebly.com
Explanation of Posting and Dialectical Journals
Weekly Reading Postings:
Each week, you will be required to respond to a posting on the AP literature blog. The specific schedule for these postings can be found on the attached reading and posting calendar. These postings will be due by 12 PM on the Saturday specified. Keep in mind that none of these questions should be answered superficially. Provide an in-depth, specific response. Should your response not be in depth enough, I will comment that you need to add more detail. You will have 24 hours to do so. Three tries is all you will be provided, so it is best to respond fully the first time.
Weekly Response Postings
You will also be required to post one weekly response to your classmate’s discussions. Choose one and provide a well thought out reaction to what your classmate stated. These will be due by 5PM on the Wednesday specified. Check the calendar for specific dates.
Dialectical Journals
Along with “Lord of the Flies”, you will also need to choose a book from the provided book list to read this summer. This will not require any blog postings, but you do have to complete a dialectical journal. Directions for these journals can be found attached. This journal will not be due until the first day of classes. Though you will have a few weeks in August dedicated to reading the book of your choice and completing your journal, I recommend you read your choice book throughout the summer, simultaneously with your required books.
May 26-June 29: “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
By Monday, May 27th- Comment under the “welcome” post telling me your choice book.
Post 1: Choose two of the following;
Post 2: Choose two of the following:
Post 3: Choose two of the following:
Post 4; Choose two of the following
Post 5: Choose two of the following
Post 6: Choose two of the following
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?
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.”
Overview:
Due to time constraints, those participating in the 10th Grade honors courses are required to complete summer reading. These assignments will serve as the first grade of the semester upon returning to school in July.
Contact/AP Blog Info
Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Cell Phone
229-402-5962
Website
hulseyaplit.weebly.com
Explanation of Posting and Dialectical Journals
Weekly Reading Postings:
Each week, you will be required to respond to a posting on the AP literature blog. The specific schedule for these postings can be found on the attached reading and posting calendar. These postings will be due by 12 PM on the Saturday specified. Keep in mind that none of these questions should be answered superficially. Provide an in-depth, specific response. Should your response not be in depth enough, I will comment that you need to add more detail. You will have 24 hours to do so. Three tries is all you will be provided, so it is best to respond fully the first time.
Weekly Response Postings
You will also be required to post one weekly response to your classmate’s discussions. Choose one and provide a well thought out reaction to what your classmate stated. These will be due by 5PM on the Wednesday specified. Check the calendar for specific dates.
Dialectical Journals
Along with “Lord of the Flies”, you will also need to choose a book from the provided book list to read this summer. This will not require any blog postings, but you do have to complete a dialectical journal. Directions for these journals can be found attached. This journal will not be due until the first day of classes. Though you will have a few weeks in August dedicated to reading the book of your choice and completing your journal, I recommend you read your choice book throughout the summer, simultaneously with your required books.
May 26-June 29: “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
By Monday, May 27th- Comment under the “welcome” post telling me your choice book.
Post 1: Choose two of the following;
- 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?
- 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?
Post 2: Choose two of the following:
- 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?
- Lord of the Flies Study Questions Page 1 © 2001 and 2008 C. Brantley Collins, Jr.
- 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.
Post 3: Choose two of the following:
- 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?
- Lord of the Flies Study Questions Page 2 © 2001 and 2008 C. Brantley Collins, Jr.
- 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?
Post 4; Choose two of the following
- 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?
- 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?
Post 5: Choose two of the following
- 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?
- 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?
Post 6: Choose two of the following
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?
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.”