Definitions
The highest part or point of something
What is the noun apex?
"He moved the conch gently, looking beyond them at nothing, remembering the beastie, the snake, the fire, the talk of fear."
How do we know the boys are experiencing real fear?
"I'm scared of him,' said Piggy, 'and that's why I know him. If you're scared of someone you hate him but you can't stop thinking about him. You kid yourself he's all right really, an' then when you see him again; it's like asthma an' you can't breathe. I tell you what. He hates you too,"
How do we know Piggy is afraid of Jack?
He has matured (he has been forced to), has had to take on more responsibility and has become more contemplative. Ralph doesn't find the island as fun and carefree as he first did; he now feels the weight of the problems they face as a group.
How has Ralph changed since being on the island?
“We’ve got to talk about this fear and decide there’s nothing in it. I’m frightened myself, sometimes; only that’s nonsense!”
Who is Ralph?
Producing clear feelings or images in the mind
What is the adjective vivid?
"The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away." / "Things are breaking up. I don't understand why. We began well; we were happy. And then-"
How do we know the society of the island is falling apart?
“Piggy could think. He could go step by step inside that fat head of his, only Piggy was no chief. But Piggy, for all his ludicrous body, had brains.”
How do we know Piggy is intelligent?
Evening, and approaching darkness is the time of day when the boys feel the most anxious and fearful. Therefore, holding the meeting at this time already puts a dark cloud over the boys, and it is not surprising that the meeting doesn't go well, and breaks up.
What time does Ralph call the meeting and why?
“The thing is - fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream.”
Who is Jack?
Expressing contempt or ridicule
What is the adjective derisive?
"If you don't blow, we'll soon be animals anyway. I can't see what they're doing but I can hear.' The dispersed figures had come together on the sand and were a dense black mass that revolved. They were chanting something and littluns that had had enough were staggering away, howling."
How do we know the boys are beginning to act like animals?
1. The boys are not bringing down water like they had agreed that they would. 2. They irresponsibly lost interest in building the shelters and didn't see the project through. 3. They agreed to use a designated spot for a toilet, but boys are not respecting this.
"Ralph answered in the cautious voice of one who rehearses a theorem. 'If I blow the conch and they don't come back; then we've had it. We shan't keep the fire going. We'll be like animals. We'll never be rescued.'
How do we know the rules are very important to Ralph?
"Maybe there is a beast.”
Simon
Unfortunate or regrettable
What is the adverb lamentably?
“Anyway, you don't hunt or build or help - you're a lot of cry-babies and sissies. That's what. And as for the fear - you'll have to put up with that like the rest of us."
How does Jack treat the Littluns?
It is particularly frightening because the sea is an "unknown indigo of infinite possibility". They have dispelled the idea the beast exists on the island as they have explored it and not come across it. But the idea that it comes out of the vast ocean - which they have no way of exploring - is terrifying. Nobody can really prove that this is the case.
Why is Percival’s revelation that the beast comes from the sea, particularly frightening?
It is the most important thing to Ralph because it is their hope of rescue. However, more than that, the fire becomes a symbol for order and civilization. Indeed it is their only possible link to the world of civilization. Ralph is aware that if they let it stop burning, it means they they have given up their hope of resuce.
Why is keeping the fire burning so important to Ralph?
“[Life] is scientific, that’s what it is ... I know there isn’t no beast.”
Who is Piggy?
Unable to speak distinctly or express oneself
What is the adjective inarticulate?
Civilization vs Savagery
What is one of the main themes of the novel?
Who recognizes the true nature of the beast?
Who is Simon?
Ralph is accommodating and fair. Ralph wants to have an open dialogue about fear which littluns experience. He acknowledges that even he fears, but must all talk about it and deal with it - to reassure them.
“I know there isn’t no fear either ... unless we get frightened of people.”
Who is Piggy?