GCSE William Golding | Dialogue Revision, Lord of the Flies

English Literature Quiz - Lord of the Flies - Dialogue (Questions)

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.

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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.

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"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

"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

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

[ ]	Eric
[ ]	Roger
[ ]	Jack
[ ]	Maurice

"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

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

[ ]	Samneric
[ ]	Jack
[ ]	Ralph
[ ]	Simon

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

[ ]	Ralph
[ ]	Roger
[ ]	Jack
[ ]	Robert

"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

"Jolly good show. Like the Coral Island"

[ ]	Jack
[ ]	Roger
[ ]	Percy
[ ]	The officer

"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

10.

"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

English Literature Quiz - Lord of the Flies - Dialogue (Answers)

"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
[x]	Ralph
[ ]	Piggy
[ ]	Jack

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

"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
[x]	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

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

[ ]	Eric
[ ]	Roger
[x]	Jack
[ ]	Maurice

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

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

[x]	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

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

[ ]	Samneric
[ ]	Jack
[ ]	Ralph
[x]	Simon

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

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

[ ]	Ralph
[ ]	Roger
[x]	Jack
[ ]	Robert

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

"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"

[x]	Piggy
[ ]	Ralph
[ ]	Sam
[ ]	Maurice

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

"Jolly good show. Like the Coral Island"

[ ]	Jack
[ ]	Roger
[ ]	Percy
[x]	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