Symbolism
What do the littluns' sandcastles symbolize? Why is this significant?
-Innocence
-Fun versus the prioritization of meeting the boys' survival needs
-Civilization
-Longing
What theme(s) does the destruction of the littluns' sandcastles relate to? How?
-Hierarchy
-Bullying
-Violence
-Etc.
"His [Ralph's] voice was loud and savage, and it struck them into silence. 'There was a ship.'" (70)
Why was Ralph so angry at the hunters?
They neglected the fire and failed to maintain the smoke signal that would've been seen by the ship
Why might Jack's mask have "liberated [him] from shame and self-consciousness"? Why is this significant?
-He can hide behind it
-He feels like a different person
-He is disconnecting from "civilized" society and societal norms of behavior
How does the theme of "human nature" appear in this chapter considering Jack and his ideas?
-Needing meat/to hunt
-Hierarchy
-Regression to being "uncivilized" when isolated from "civilized society"
-Survival of the fittest
[Ralph] "'Where did you find the pig?' Roger pointed down the unfriendly side. 'They were down there- by the sea.' Jack, recovering, could not bear to have his story told. He broke in quickly. 'We spread round. I crept, on hands and knees. The spears fell out because they hadn't barbs on. The pig ran away and made and awful noise- [...]'"
What does Jack's pride in his kill indicate about his character now, as compared to when he couldn't make himself kill the pig earlier in the book?
-He is changing as a person and is more capable of violence and killing
-His morals are changing
-He's finally being seen by the others in the way he's been so desperate for
What does the bond between Ralph and Jack being broken and the bond between Ralph and Piggy being strengthened symbolize for Jack and the boys as a whole?
-Changing power dynamics
-Change in organization
How does Jack's "need" for meat and hunting relate to the theme of "human needs"? Is his argument valid?
-Human need for food
-Do humans need to eat meat?
-Do humans need to hunt and kill?
-Different perspectives on what "human needs" are
"The undoubted littluns, those aged about six, led a quite distinct, and at the same time intense, life of their own. [...] They obeyed the summons of the conch, partly because Ralph blew it, and he was big enough to be a link with the adult world of authority; and partly because they enjoyed the entertainment of the assemblies. But otherwise they seldom bothered with the biguns and their passionately emotional and corporate life was their own."
Why do you think the author might have chosen to highlight, though briefly, the perspective of the littluns?
-The book lacks any sort of diverse perspectives, so maybe sharing the perspective of the littluns is a way to invite the reader to consider diverse perspectives within the context of the story.
-It juxtaposes the seriousness of the older boys' lives.
How does Jack's behavior when he dons his mask symbolize the boys' and the author's attitudes towards Indigenous peoples? Are these attitudes likely shaped by stereotypes? Why might this be problematic in contemporary circumstances?
Jack begins to act very different than how he did when he arrived, and he displays behaviors typically associated with negative stereotypes of Indigenous peoples that depict them as "savage" and "uncivilized," which perpetuate ideas of white supremacy and colonialism
Where is the theme of "male domination" evident in this chapter?
- Hunting and killing the pig
-"Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Bash her in." (75)
-Prioritizing the more "masculine" chores over the others
-Celebrating their violent domination over mother nature
"Then Maurice pretended to be the pig and ran squealing into the center, and the hunters, circling still, pretended to beat him. As they danced, they sang. 'Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Bash her in.'" (75)
What is significant about the boys' playing and singing this chant?
-They're desensitized to the violence of killing an animal
-They enjoyed and got a rush from killing the pig
-They are children dancing and singing, which typically does not have a connotation of violence and killing