26. Piggy and Ralph consider that man is essentially good and that evil happens because something is wrong with people. Jack is a primitive person who uses power over others and believes that forces more powerful than himself must be appeased through ceremony and sacrifice. Simon believes that both good and evil reside within each person. Discuss these three views of man and cite examples of them from the story. Does one of these views seem to represent the author's own outlook?

27. Consider whether you believe the boys could really have committed murder. Show how Golding slowly changes the nature of the boys' game playing so that it becomes something greater than play.

28. Compare our first and last views of Ralph and explain how they differ.

29. Discuss Golding's notion that good intentions often bring about bad results. How do Ralph's good intentions fail? Why do they fail?

30. Compare Chapter 1 and Chapter 12 and discuss the ways in which they are related.

31. Each of the opening chapters has a corresponding later chapter which comments on it. Compare one of the following pairs: Chapters 1 and 6, Chapters 2 and 7, Chapters 3 and 8, Chapters 4 and 9. Discuss how the later chapter enhances what we learned from the earlier chapter.

32. Compare The Inheritors, another novel by Golding, with Lord of the Flies. Discuss the similarity of ideas and themes in the two books.

33. Examine the influences on Golding's life which led him to write Lord of the Flies.

34. Consider the title of each chapter as a key to understanding the major ideas in the novel.

35. Defend Jack's position and his actions on the island.

36. How does Golding prepare us for the murder of Simon so that we accept it when it happens?

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