Structure, allegory and genre in 'Lord of the Flies' | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

Which of the following is a structural device?

• mirroring

• simile

• semantic field

• alliteration

Answer explanation

Mirroring means returning to similar images at the end, that were used in the beginning of a text.

How do the boys treat nature in 'Lord of the Flies'?

• they are respectful and awe-inspired by nature

• they are indifferent towards nature

• they are disrespectful and destructive towards nature

Answer explanation

The boys are generally very disrespectful of the island. Jack sets fire to the entire island in Chapter 12, with no consideration for his own survival.

What does Piggy represent in 'Lord of the Flies'?

• democracy and civilisation

• rationality, reason and logic

• savagery and evil

• nature and humanity

Answer explanation

Piggy represents rationality. After his death, Jack and his tribe seem to lose all sense of reason and rationality, showing that Piggy's death arguably represents the death of rationality.

Which character from 'Lord of the Flies' is described as "sinister" in Chapter 1?

• Ralph

• Piggy

• Simon

• Jack

• Roger

Answer explanation

Roger is a deeply unpleasant character throughout the novel. He is arguably more cruel and merciless than Jack at times.

Match the method to its definition.

• imagery

• attribution of human characteristics to non-human things

• personification

• a brief reference to a character or incident from another text

• semantic field

• the use of words or figurative language to create vivid pictures

• symbolism

• a set of words grouped by a common theme

• allusion

• the use of images, words or nouns to represent abstract ideas

Answer explanation

These are all useful methods to be able to explore and discuss when analysing a text.

What might an allegory be?

• an invented perspective or speaker used by a writer

• a poetic form consisting of 14 lines, written in iambic pentatemeter

• a short story typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral lesson

• a brief statement that refers to a character or incident from another text

• a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning

Answer explanation

'Lord of the Flies' is arguably an allegory about the destruction of civilisation and the breakdown of morality.