KS1 (Age 5-7)KS2 (Age 7-11)11 Plus (Age 7-11)KS3 (Age 11-14)GCSE (Age 14-17)PSHE A.I.ESL Spanish Specialist Games

Need help with Lord of the Flies - Dialogue? Ask our AI Tutor!

AI Tutor - Lucy

Connecting with Tutor...

Please wait while we establish connection

Hi! I'm Lucy, your AI tutor. How can I help you with Lord of the Flies - Dialogue today?

now

Didn't you hear the conch?

Lord of the Flies - Dialogue

This GCSE English Literature quiz explores dialogue in Lord of the Flies, showing how speech, silence and argument reveal character, conflict and the breakdown of order.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Simon speaks less than others, and when he does, his hesitant lines about “maybe it is only us” reveal deep insight into fear and evil.

In GCSE English Literature, you need to explain how dialogue shapes meaning. In Lord of the Flies, the boys’ arguments, interruptions and silences reveal power struggles, fear and collapsing civilisation on the island.

Key Terms

Dialogue: The spoken words between characters, including what they say and how they respond to one another.
Interruptions: Moments when one character cuts across another, often showing impatience, disrespect or a battle for control.
Subtext: The hidden feelings or ideas suggested by what is said, how it is said, or what is left unsaid.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How does Golding use dialogue in Lord of the Flies for GCSE English?

Golding uses dialogue to show changing power and fear. Shouting, name-calling and unfinished sentences reveal how respect fades, while calmer exchanges highlight rare moments of cooperation and reason.

Why are arguments and meetings important in Lord of the Flies?

The boys’ meetings and arguments show the rise and fall of order. Early discussions around the conch aim for democracy, but later clashes reveal how quickly rules break down under pressure.

How can I write about dialogue in a Lord of the Flies exam answer?

Choose a short quotation of speech, comment on who is speaking, what it shows about power or fear, and link your point to a wider theme such as civilisation or savagery.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

"Jolly good show. Like the Coral Island"

Jack

Roger

Percy

The officer

The officer refers to J. M. Ballantyne's The Coral Island, a book about the adventures of three boys stranded on a Pacific island. The officer's statement is jarring since he has no idea that he has just saved Ralph from being murdered by the other boys

2 .

"I dunno. And Ralph, Jack, the Chief, says it'll be dangerous - " " - and we've got to be careful and throw our spears like at a pig"

Roger

Simon

Samneric

Robert

Sam and Eric, the twins, finish each other's sentences and are referred to jointly as Samneric

3 .

"Didn't you hear the conch? You played a dirty trick - we'd have given you fire if you'd asked for it - "

Piggy

Ralph

Simon

Samneric

Ralph expects Jack and his group to behave rationally and cannot understand that violence and stealing have become thrilling to the other boys

4 .

"We'll get food. Hunt. Catch things"

Eric

Roger

Jack

Maurice

Although Ralph is the first to suggest the idea, Jack soon becomes completely absorbed by thoughts of hunting

5 .

"Maybe there is a beast." "What I mean is....maybe it's only us"

Samneric

Jack

Ralph

Simon

Simon recognises that everyone's fear is justified because humans themselves have brought evil to the island

6 .

"If a ship comes near the island they may not notice us. So we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire"

Simon

Ralph

Piggy

Jack

Ralph knows that the only way to draw rescuers to the island is to build and maintain a fire

7 .

"I gave you food and my hunters will protect you from the beast. Who will join my tribe?"

Ralph

Roger

Jack

Robert

Jack uses the promise of food and safety to win the boys to his side

8 .

"That's what this shell's called. I'll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he's speaking"

Jack

Ralph

Sam

Piggy

Piggy attempts to create social order on the island through regulating the meetings Ralph calls, especially in inventing a system to allow speakers to be heard

9 .

"Yes, laugh. Go on, laugh. There's them on this island as would laugh at anything. And what happened? What's grown-ups goin' to think? Young Simon was murdered"

Piggy

Ralph

Sam

Maurice

Piggy and Ralph maintain the last connection with the outside, adult world with which they associate their consciences

10 .

"I don't care what they call me, so long as they don't call me what they used to call me at school"

Piggy

Samneric

Merridew

Percival

We never learn Piggy's name, since he trusts Ralph with his hated nickname and Ralph later shares this information with the rest of the group. Jack abandons the name Merridew in favour of his own nickname

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Lord of the Flies

Author: Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)