LORD OF THE FLIES: COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

Read the following excerpts from Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair, and
answer the questions.

1 “Johnny was well built, with fair hair and a natural belligerence.” (p. 62)
What does this sentence tell us about Johnny’s character?

2 “Now, though there was no parent to let fall a heavy hand, Maurice still felt the unease of
wrongdoing.” (p. 63)
Explain the meaning of this sentence.

3 “Henry walked at a distance from the palms and the shade because he was too young to keep
himself out of the sun.” (p. 63)
What does this sentence tell us about Henry?

4 “Roger stooped, picked up a stone, aimed, and threw it at Henry – threw it to miss … Roger
gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry,
perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the
taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and
policemen and the law. Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him
and was in ruins.” (pp. 64-5)
Explain the meaning of this passage. How is it suggestive of future events?

5 “Jack planned his new face. He made one cheek and one eye-socket white, then rubbed red
over the other half of his face and slashed a black bar of charcoal across from right ear to left
jaw. He looked in the mere for his reflection … He looked in astonishment, no longer at himself
but at an awesome stranger… Beside the mere, his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their
eyes and appalled them. He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling.” (p.
66)
What impression does the writer wish to convey about Jack in this passage? Why do you think
the writer uses the term ‘mask’ for Jack’s painted face?