Lord of the Flies - question
 

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?

Re: Lord of the Flies - question
 

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.

Re: Lord of the Flies - question
 

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

Re: Lord of the Flies - question
 

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.

Re: Lord of the Flies - question
 

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

Re: Lord of the Flies - question
 

The school I teach at assigns it to freshmen.

Re: Lord of the Flies - question
 

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.

Re: Lord of the Flies - question
 

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

Re: Lord of the Flies - question
 

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.