Lord Of The Flies: Chapter 4
Discussion Questions
Worksheet Questions
1). How do you think society is now are people selfish or do they care for others well being? For example Jack all he cares about is himself and Ralph cares about everyone but himself
2). Jack camouflages himself with clay as a mask. What does this tell us about the way he acts? Do any of us wear masks ?
3). Ralph feels angry when the hunters are chanting why does he feel this way?
4). If you were in this situation which character best defines you and why?
Chapter 4 Summary
1). What happened to the fire on the mountain? Why did this happen?
2). Why is Jack trying to camouflage himself?
3). What happens to all the other boys hair and doesn't happen to piggy's hair ?
4). Which boy notices something in the distance? and What was it?
5). What does Ralph tell all the boys he wants to do at the very end of the chapter?
6.) Who punches piggy in the stomach and why?
7). Which boy gives his food away? Why does this anger the other boys?
8). What object does Piggy want to create but Ralph doesn't?
9). What makes Roger want to throw rocks at Henry?
10). What does Ralph tell jack after his actions lost them the chance to be free?
11). What chant does Jack and the rest of the boys use?
12). What makes Jack attack piggy and why does he do?
13). Where was Jacks hunting group at the time when Ralph noticed smoke?
14). Are the days getting any better or worse?
15). How do the hunter feel about catching the pig?
16). What does Jacks mask symbolize?
Answers for Literal
In chapter 4 of Lord of the flies there are two groups of boys the Littleuns which are little kids and the Biguns which are big kids. The littleuns don't really do much besides playing in the sand, building sandcastles and going for a swim. They happen to get huge tummy aches from a diet consisting of fruit. Roger casually throws rocks at one of the boys, but missing his aim by a few feet particularly on purpose. Then we have Jack, who seems to be dedicated on catching a pig which he then camouflages himself to hide from the pigs while taking his choir to go and hunt. Piggy tries to give Ralph his idea on building a sundial, but Ralph ignores this idea since Piggy's suggestions are not as helpful. On the shore Ralph notices a ship in the distance, but he starts to realize that the fire they had lit on the top of the mountain was out and quickly reacts by running toward the mountain. By the time he reaches there it was too late since the ship had already left. Ralph was outraged by Jack and his group because they were supposed to make sure the fire remained burning. Jack comes back with a dead pig and his group chanting "Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood". His group was happy they had caught real food for once although they kind of ignored what Ralph was trying to say because they were to caught up in their excitement. Piggy tried to speak up and tell Jack it was all his fault the ship didn't see them Jack, slapped piggy making his glasses fall off causing one of the lens to shatter. No one wanted to give Piggy any food so Simon gave Piggy his food which made Jack furious throwing a piece of meat at Simon's feet telling him forcefully to eat it. Jack finally realizes that it was his fault the fire went out yet he didn't say anything to Piggy because his attitude had changed toward him. Ralph felt envy but didn't want to say anything at the time so he calls on a meeting because of all these events that have happened.
Literal Questions
1). This title describes the state of the children after quite a long while of surviving on the strange
island. The words “long hair” is a hint to the reader that the time gap between the third and fourth
chapter is quite significant, for the length of hair signifies the passing of time. The “painted faces” half
of the title reveals its meaning in a scene in which Jack uses natural colors from charcoal and clay to
camouflage himself in order to hunt a pig. Not only does this signify his growing obsession with
hunting, but it shows how the boys are getting used to the nature and using it in their own unique
ways. It is as if the children have now formed their own culture on the island.
2). Roger is throwing stones at his friends as a joke, for he enjoys bugging the other children,
especially the littluns. The fact that he makes sure that he does not hit anyone else is quite intriguing,
for there are no adults on the island who would condemn him for such an act. If he wished to, Roger
could seriously injure anyone he wanted to, but the lasting effect of human morals and society’s rules
are still implanted in his brain. Although he is on an island with all of the independence he can
imagine, Roger – and the rest of the boys – maintain some of the rules they learned in a land that no
longer exists. As Golding says, “ Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of
him and was in ruins”.
3). Ralph makes a definite stand to Jack, by reminding him that he is chief and that everyone should
do as he says. He is very upset by the fact that Jack let the fire out during an opportunity to be saved
and, in an outburst of emotions, says, “I was chief; and you were going to do what I said.” While the
boys are all eating, Ralph also makes a definite stand by saying that he is about to call an assembly
and that all of the boys must attend it when he blows the conch. Presumably, he is going to straighten
out the issues that have been bothering him for a while.
CHAPTER FOUR
LITERAL DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
1). What is the significance of the title "Painted faces and Long hair"?
2). Why does Roger, throwing stones at the littluns, aim just to miss?
3). What definite stand does Ralph make?
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