Quotes
"This meeting must not be fun, but business." (76)
How does this thought [Ralph's] provide insight about Ralph's struggle of being in a position of authority over the other boys?
-He's having a hard time balancing the groups survival needs and responsibilities with the boys' wants and work ethics
-The boys are difficult to control and have a hard time taking things seriously
-Etc.
How do Ralph and Jack's perspectives in the meeting on what is important differ? (79-92)
X
Ralph brings up his concern that "now people seem to use anywhere. Even near the shelters and the platform. [...]" (80)
What does this symbolize?
-Disrespect for the environment, the rules, the others
-Degradation
-Crumbling order
Why is the following moment significant:
[Ralph] "[...] stopped, facing the strip; and remembering that first enthusiastic exploration as though it were part of a brighter childhood [...]"?
-Reality has set in
-The boys have been forced to mature
-Etc.
On page 92, Ralph asks Piggy about ghosts; Piggy asserts that there are no ghosts or beasts, saying "'Course there aren't. [...] 'Cos things wouldn't make sense. Houses an' streets, an'- TV- they wouldn't work."
How does Piggy's perspective reflect his personality and maturity?
He is trying to be rational and argue that monsters and beasts can't exist in a civilized society, like at home. His reasoning more closely resembles that of an adult than that of a child.
"[...] Again he [Ralph] lost himself in deep waters." (77)
What does water usually symbolize? What does water usually symbolize in this book? What does water symbolize in this quote and how does it relate to the context of being on the island?
-Rebirth, life, wisdom, power, etc.
-Washing, cleansing, leisure, etc.
-Being lost in vastness, isolation, darkness, the unknown
"Jack was the first to make himself heard. He had not the conch and thus spoke against the rules; but nobody minded." (87)
Why is this distinction made by the author? Why is this significant?
-It shows the changes of organization and changing power dynamics
-It could be foreshadowing
What are the different reactions to the littlun Percival Wemys Madison's tears? (86-87)
How do they demonstrate the different perspectives of the boys' expectations of emotional expression and repression?
-The older boys favour repression. They try to intimidate the criers into stopping, as well as distracting them from their sorrow
-The younger boys favour expression, crying along with the original crier
"Exposure to the air had bleached the yellow and pink to a near-white, and transparency." (78)
Why is the changing colour of the conch symbolic? What might it symbolize?
-It being white represents democracy, fairness, goodness
-Its becoming more and more white juxtaposes the moral decay of many of the boys
-Etc.
"'[Piggy] What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? What's grown-ups going to think? Going off- hunting pigs- letting fires go out- and now!' A shadow fronted him tempestuously. [Jack:] 'You shut up you fat slug!'" (91)
Why does Jack attack Piggy's physical appearance? What does this say about the boys' (dis)order now?
-Jack doesn't have a counterpoint to Piggy's valid argument, so he resorts to attacking his weight
-The boys are straying from the rules, democracy, and "civilized" behavior
“Grown-ups know things….the majesty of adult life.” [Piggy] (94)
Is Piggy right? Are the boys only struggling and failing because they aren't grown-ups?
X
The littlun Phil tells the boys about a nightmare he had, that may or may not have had some real, scary elements that he experienced in real life. (84-85)
What does Phil's experience symbolize?
-Losing their grip on reality
-Blurring the lines of monster-free "civilized society" and the natural/supernatural world