Instructions
Read the questions below carefully. Answer each question in the space provided, using complete sentences and specific details from Chapter 8, "Gift for the Darkness," of Lord of the Flies.
Vocabulary Spotlight
Match the vocabulary word from Chapter 8 to its correct definition by writing the corresponding letter next to the number.
- 1. Cynicism ___
- 2. Contemptuously ___
- 3. Demented ___
- 4. Parody ___
- 5. Abominable ___
A. In a scornful or disrespectful way.
B. Horribly unpleasant; detestable.
C. An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism.
D. An imitation of a style or idea, often with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect; a mockery.
E. Behaving irrationally due to anger, distress, or excitement; mad or insane.
Comprehension Check
- What is the outcome of the assembly Ralph calls after the boys report seeing the "beast"?
- Why does Jack decide to leave the group? What are his exact words when he leaves?
- Describe the pig hunt that Jack and his hunters conduct in this chapter. How is it different and more savage than previous hunts?
- What "gift" do Jack and his tribe leave for the beast? What is the "Lord of the Flies"?
- What does Simon discover in his secret clearing in the jungle? Summarize the "conversation" he has.
Character Deep Dive
Answer the following questions to analyze the characters' development in this chapter.
- Jack: How does Jack establish his own tribe? What rules and priorities does he set up that are different from Ralph's?
- Ralph: Ralph's confidence is shaken. He says, "I'm frightened. Of us." What does he mean by this? What does this reveal about his understanding of the situation on the island?
- Piggy: What is Piggy's practical suggestion for what the boys should do after Jack leaves and they can no longer use the mountain? How does his role in the group seem to change?
Symbolism & Theme
Think critically about the deeper meaning in the chapter.
The "Lord of the Flies" (the pig's head on a stick) is one of the most important symbols in the book. What do you think it represents? Consider what it "says" to Simon and what it symbolizes about the boys' inner nature.
Answer Key
Vocabulary Spotlight
1. C
2. A
3. E
4. D
5. B
Comprehension Check
- Jack tries to overthrow Ralph as chief by calling for a vote, but no one votes for him. Humiliated, Jack runs off, declaring he's no longer going to be part of Ralph's group. Many of the older boys later sneak off to join him.
- Jack leaves because he is humiliated that no one voted for him to be chief over Ralph. He feels his authority as a hunter is not respected. He says, "I'm not going to play any longer. Not with you... I'm going off by myself. He can catch his own pigs. Anyone who wants to hunt when I do can come too."
- The hunt is much more brutal and frenzied. They corner a mother sow who is nursing her piglets. They attack her with a vicious frenzy, stabbing her repeatedly even after she is down. Roger is particularly cruel, driving his spear in with his full body weight. It is clear they are hunting not just for food, but for the thrill and power of the kill.
- They cut off the sow's head, mount it on a sharpened stick, and leave it as an offering or "gift" for the beast. This bloody, fly-covered head becomes known as the "Lord of the Flies."
- Simon finds the pig's head on the stick in his secret clearing. He hallucinates that the head is talking to him. The "Lord of the Flies" mocks Simon, telling him that the beast is not something you can hunt and kill because it is a part of all of them. It says, "I'm part of you... I'm the reason why it's no go? Why things are what they are?" Overwhelmed by this terrible truth, Simon faints.
Character Deep Dive
- Jack establishes his tribe by appealing to the boys' desires for hunting, feasting, and fun, without the burden of rules and responsibilities like keeping the fire going. He declares himself chief and his tribe focuses on immediate gratification (meat, games) and fear (offering a gift to the beast). His leadership is based on power, fear, and savagery.
- When Ralph says, "I'm frightened. Of us," he means he is starting to realize that the real danger on the island is not an external beast, but the savagery and evil that exists within the boys themselves. He is scared of what they are capable of becoming. This shows his growing maturity and insight into human nature.
- Piggy suggests they build a new signal fire on the beach, away from the mountain where the "beast" is. This practical solution shows his intelligence and logical thinking. After Jack leaves, Piggy becomes more confident and helpful, and Ralph begins to appreciate his wisdom more. He helps gather wood and feels a sense of purpose again.
Symbolism & Theme
(Answers will vary but should include some of the following points.) The Lord of the Flies represents the inherent evil, savagery, and primal instinct that exists within every human being. It is a physical manifestation of the "beast" that the boys fear, confirming that the real monster is inside them. It symbolizes the decay of civilization and the rise of raw, brutal evil on the island. The "conversation" with Simon confirms this, as it tells him that it is a part of all the boys and is the reason for their descent into chaos. Its name is a literal translation of "Beelzebub," a name for the devil, further cementing its symbolism as pure evil.