Buttmunker

Just finished the book - great, great story - but one thing that bothers me: those boys on the island didn't know one another. Weren't they from the same military school? Nobody knew nobody?

Based on this fact that they arrived on the island as "strangers," I guess it could conceivably be possible to devolve into savagery against one another. But, if they had known one another, would it be equally possible?

Jay G.

The boys appear to have been evacuated from Britain due to a war, either WWII or some fictional later war, possibly nuclear. I'm not sure if they were all from the same school, but they were different age groups, and thus different grades, so may not have been overly familiar with each other.

There is at least one group of boys that do know each other: the choir group lead by Jack.

I don't know if it's equally possible, since these are both hypothetical situations, but I would say that it is possible. Having them all know each other would've started them with a foundation of trust, but it could also exacerbate existing grudges and rivalries.

Buttmunker

Is this book still "required reading" in American schools? Or has that passed?

Jay G.

Some schools/classes probably assign it. However, I never was required to read it.

American schools don't have any universal learning plans; those are typically implemented on the local level. Reading materials can often be left up to the individual teacher.

The Bus

I (re-)read it in school in the 90's when it was assigned.

Dubble

The school I teach at assigns it to freshmen.

Buttmunker

I heard the two versions were not completely true to the book, although it told the essential story. Wonder when/if they'll remake it into the DEFINITIVE version.

TimeandTide

It's required reading for the sophomores at the school I teach at.

Jay G.

That's true of practically every movie adaptation though. I can't think of a single film adaptation of a novel that was 100% faithful.