Lord of the Flies Q8

Entry of your choice

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I have finished reading the book and answering the 7 questions, and only one question is left. However, the story still left me with a lot of questions that I am curious about and one interesting point that I made. The first question is Simon. I did not understand the “interview” with the lord of the flies. Another question is the identity of lord of the flies. All I know about it is that it has something to do with fear. What I personally think about the lord of the flies is that it is the fear kids have in life. That is all I can think of. I think there is a deeper meaning, but I can’t find it.

One interesting point I found is that this story can be related to the story, Animal Farm. I thought of Snowball when I read the part when Ralph had no friends and was alone with the idea. It was because Napoleon kicked off Snowball from the farm. Likewise, Ralph’s supporters had turned their mind and tried to get rid of Ralph. Another similarity between those two stories was of course Jack and Napoleon. They were the same in a way to react to a situation they disliked. Both of them were very violent in solving a problem. Jack thinks hunting is the best pleasure, and Napoleon used violence to take over the farm. Both wished to be leaders, too.

I think I chose appropriate two stories that could be even related to each other. I think I have learnt a lot from these two stories by comparing and contrasting the key points. Although it was sometimes hard reading the boring part of the stories, I think the stories have made me think a lot about literature.

Lord of the Flies Q7

Are there any settings in this novel which you have found to be beautiful? or disturbing? or memorable? describe these settings and comment on why they were meaningful to you.

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One beautiful setting was in the beginning when they were having an assembly peacefully. They were listening to the person who had the “conch”, and not many people disagreed to follow the rules. It was pleasing to see the kids dividing their jobs and try to cooperate. They decided who will be the leader by voting, and some volunteered to be hunters. Though there were some arguments, they were positive ones that improved the quality of the discussion. By the platform they always held an assembly and I found the place delightful because the place was used or the good of everyone, not only for a few.

One disturbing setting was when the hunters killed the sow and put the head on a stake, and set it to give it to the beast as a gift. The author was so descriptive that I felt disgusted as reading the passage. It was so specific how they set the “gift”. I thought this scene is very disturbing because it is such horrible, violent, and disgusting thing for young kids to do. What is more, the kids showed sort of laughter after they had done it. Moreover, they even felt a bit fulfilled upon the sow. It was a very meaningful setting for me because it proved me that how the little kids have changed into violent beasts. Kids shouldn’t be giggling at the filthy sow that got stabbed all round the body.

A memorable setting was when Ralph fell down while running away from the chasing of Jack, and found the British navy officer. It was memorable because I liked the way the author described how tense the situation was, and suddenly subsided as being rescued.

Lord of the Flies Q6

Please choose one passage from the novel that is significant to you. why is this passage meaningful? Please type it into one of your entries and comment on what you think about the passage.

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Pg 157,

“ You didn’t see what they didㅡ”
“Look, Ralph. We got to forget this. We can’t do no good thinking about it, see?”
“I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home. Oh God, I want to go home.”
“It was an accident,” said Piggy stubbornly, “and that’s that.”
He touched Ralph’s bare shoulder and Ralph shuddered at the human contact.

This is the passage I chose. It was when Simon died, and Piggy and Ralph do not believe what they saw. They did not like to be involved in this, but they saw it. They then start to deny the fact, and try to force themselves to think that the death was an accident. This passage is highly significant and meaningful. This passage is important because Ralph said that he is afraid of us. This is when Ralph eventually realizes where the ultimate fear comes from. All the people including Ralph had been thinking that the beast is what is frightening the kids. However, now Ralph has realized that they themselves are fearful. Thus this passage is important since this is the time Ralph understands the fact. Moreover, this passage is also meaningful because Piggy still tries to help Ralph in some way that he compels himself and Ralph to consider Simon’s death as an accident. It shows Piggy’s kind personality to comfort Ralph in an appalling situation. It was too shocking for them to even believe what they literally saw with their eyes. This passage is meaningful to me personally because I found a flaw in Piggy’s personality. I understand that he wanted to comfort Ralph by saying that it was an accident. However, it sounded to me like he was making an excuse. I liked Piggy for being consistent and straightforward with his idea. And this scene disappointed me because Piggy is lying and being dishonest to himself.

Lord of the Flies Q5

What is the mood of this novel? do you find this novel saddens you in any way? why?

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The mood of the story is pretty depressing, dark, and somber. Although the kids are alone on the island, they seemed to be preparing well for survival as they keep on making a fire, dividing their jobs like hunters, start to make rules, and decide the leader to decide what to do next. The mood was sort of wishful and hopeful. However, as the conflict between Ralph and Jack increases, the mood starts to get sad. As time passes, the conflict gets even worse, and the situation seems even more depressing. the number of supporters of Ralph gradually decreases; kids are all tempted to meat and feast that they forgot what is right. The climax of the story is when the mood is the most somber. Piggy, the only supporter of Ralph, dies, and even the conch is broken into thousands of pieces. Ralph’s last hope has gone away. And there is one scene that I found to be delightful comparing to the whole story. It is the very last part when they are all discovered and rescued by the officer. I thought this part is pleasing because anyway most of them are alive and was finally rescued without further murder.

There is one scene that saddened me. As I said before, it is when Piggy died and Ralph was placed in such hardship. It depressed me because my favorite character died and because now Ralph had nothing to do but to strive for survival. Ralph looked so lonely and poor to me.

Lord of the Flies Q4

What is the climax of this novel? what happens? how do the events of this novel make you feel?

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The climax of this story is when Roger killed Piggy, and the conch was totally destroyed. At that time Piggy had been the only supporter of Ralph now, since all the others had betrayed him. He was consistent in his opinion, and was also very loyal to Ralph since he tolerated Ralph making fun of him and kept on supporting Ralph’s idea. Yet, now the only supporter died. I think this is point of no return because the number of supporters has been decreasing and now it has become zero. This is the highest crisis of Ralph, since he now has to survive by himself without anyone aiding him.

Moreover, the destruction of the conch made the situation even worse. I think what the conch meant was the power of Ralph because it had power to have control over others; it could make others be silent and listen to what he says. It could also call an assembly. The conch has been the signal for the right to talk and to grab attention from others. However, the conch has been totally devastated, which means now Ralph’s only hope and right has been ignored.

The event made me feel very depressive and sad. The first reason is because Piggy died since he has been my favorite character by obeying Ralph permanently. I felt sorry for Ralph as I thought what would happen to Ralph now. It would be such a harsh time going through the enemies. I can’t even imagine being alone on the island with no friend and supporter.

Lord of the Flies Q3

Who are the main characters in the novel? do you like them? why or why not? what is special about them? what do they reveal about the universal human experience?

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The major characters that played important roles are Jack, Ralph, Simon, Piggy, Sam and Eric, Roger. I do not like any of them because none of the quality of them is preferable to me except one, Piggy. It is because they are either too timid, strict, or too violent and rude. I like Piggy’s personality since he is the one who consistently insisted his opinion at that comparing to other kids. The others changed their mind to follow Jack and betray the previous leader, Ralph.

Jack is an antagonist and the leader of savages and instincts. He is disgruntled at Ralph for being strict. He reveals the universal characteristic of humans that humans are apt to follow their desire, not what is right. This is the specialty about him I think since he represents the human characteristic.

Ralph is a protagonist and a decisive leader who represents the civilization. His thoughts are very matured compared to other ordinary kids since he knows the way to survive, and because his first desire is to stay alive till aid comes. A specialty about him is that he also represents the civilization like Jack represented the savages.

Simon is a shy person who had a talk with lord of the flies. He is sensitive and acts kind toward littluns, but died afterwards by “an accident.”

Roger is a violent supporter of Jack that directly shows his desire to be a savage.

Sam and Eric are twins who do everything together. They seemed to obey Ralph forever, yet got caught by the hunters and became the tribe of Jack.

The other very special character must be lord of the flies. This character is very special because it is the flies yet represents the instincts of the tribes of Jack.

Lord of the Flies Q2

Are there any current situations in the world that relate to the novel? what are they, and how do they relate? does the novel shed any light on how current situations could be resolved or "fixed"?

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There are a lot of things that are highly related to this novel. First, I would say this society itself does relate to the story because people in the world get easily confused to pursue their instincts or rules. That is why raping stealing, murder, and many more immoral events are not ceasing to happen. Even though people know that they should not be doing those things, the still do because of their strong but wrong desire.

The story also talks about the fear through the lord of the flies. Kids believe they saw the beast when actually there wasn’t any. I think this could be compared to development of nuclear weapons in reality. The nations with nuclear weapons fear the invisible power of other nations that they end up with strengthening themselves with dangerous weapons to prepare for a war. Thus I think nuclear programs could be compared to the result of feeling fear of other nations.

I also think wars are related to this novel in terms of having different opinions and values. When nations disagree with some point or an issue, they sometimes end up with having a war. Likewise, Jack and Ralph gradually show their discomfort and dissatisfaction toward each other, and they finally broke the peace on the island.

I do not think the author sheds any light on solving the problem because the story ends with the meeting with the officer and being rescues. This scene never is a hope or a possibility to solving a problem. It is just that the kids were lucky that people discovered them. They did not compromise or try to seek the solution by themselves. Thus I do not think the author gave an answer to the problem.