Skip to main content

How can I formulate three topic questions aimed at analyzing the leadership in Lord of The Flies, with particular attention to Jack?

Topic questions are those that open various avenues of analysis and discussion.


Perhaps, in the process of generating topic questions, the student may wish to consider aspects of the characters around whom the questions will revolve. Take, for instance, Ralph and Jack. Even if Jack is to be the primary focus, the student can gain better insight into his character by contrasting him with Ralph, for instance.Questions in this area of discussion could be...

Topic questions are those that open various avenues of analysis and discussion.


Perhaps, in the process of generating topic questions, the student may wish to consider aspects of the characters around whom the questions will revolve. Take, for instance, Ralph and Jack. Even if Jack is to be the primary focus, the student can gain better insight into his character by contrasting him with Ralph, for instance.
Questions in this area of discussion could be something like these:


  • How does Jack effectively demonstrate his leadership over others?

  • What tactics does Jack use to motivate the hunters (i.e. to what does he appeal)? Are others involved in effecting this motivation?

  • How does Jack differ from Ralph in his leadership role?

(Jack's leadership involves some intimidation because the boys fear him. This condition is evident in the beginning of the narrative when the choir all march into camp behind Jack after Ralph has blown the conch. Later, when votes are cast for who will be leader, the choir boys are intimidated enough that they all vote for Jack.) 


Further in the narrative, however, the enthusiasm for Jack's leadership wanes. Here are some discussion questions on this topic of waning enthusiasm and changes in the boys:


  • How does Jack maintain his position as leader of the hunters despite the desocialization of the boys?

  • At what point does Jack resort to more force and coercion in his leadership?  Is this really leadership or is his power waning? If so, in what ways?

  • What factors interfere with the effectiveness of Jack's role as a leader? (Consider the masks, Jack's changing behavior as in Chapter 3 when he drinks from a coconut shell-- 
    ...the water splashed over his chin and neck and chest. He breathed noisily when he had finished-- 

    also, Jack's increasingly cruel actions, his changing perspective, etc.)


[The links below will serve you well, and they may generate more ideas for questions.]


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more