English LOTF Essay

Aspect One Quotes + Analysis

• Quote 1 + Analysis: . At the beginning of the novel, order is established through Ralph and Jack, stating 'we've got have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages', foreshadowing the boys eventual descent.

• Quote Two + Analysis: As fear and destruction override this idea of civilisation, the conch begins to lose its authority 'the conch doesn't count on this side of the island' acting as a metaphorical split and contrast between democracy and violence.

• Quote Three + Analysis: This is also shown in the juxtaposition of 'there was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics and fierce exhilaration, skill and there was the world of longing and baffled common sense.' This quote is able to demonstrate the fragility of civilisation and the effect of primal instincts taking over.

• Quote Four + Analysis: The symbolism of the conch when it is destroyed 'the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist' portrays the complete and utter destruction of what once represented authority and a civilised society.

Aspect Two Quotes + Analysis

• Quote 1 + Analysis: At the beginning of the novel, the boys retain their moral awareness, demonstrated clearly by their hesitation and unwillingness to kill 'They knew very well why he hadn't: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh.' reflecting their initial innocence and reluctance to take part in hunting.

• Quote 2 + Analysis: Later in the book, Jack and his hunters create the chant 'Kill the pig, cut her throat, spill the blood', where the musical rhythm represents the growing enjoyment for killing. The motif of blood and shift to animalistic imagery reinforces their moral decay and shows the unwillingness of the boys recognising the consequences of their actions.

• Quote 3 + Analysis: The boys initially appeared as put together and civilised during the first few chapters but as they began to lose their youth and recognize that their world isn't as simple as expected, their appearance changes to symbolise a shift in their intentions and behaviour. 'And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair and un wiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wide friend called piggy.'

Aspect 3 Quotes + Analysis

• Quote 1 + Analysis: Its grotesque and gruesome imagery 'the head remained there, dim-eyed, grinning faintly, blood blackening between the teeth' creates a sense of horror, mirroring the reality of the boy's inner savagery. This can symbolise internal evil, revealing to the readers that evil is innate and internal, not external.

• Quote 2 + Analysis: When the pig's head tells Simon 'You knew didn't you? I'm part of you?' Golding directly confronts the reader that the beast is not something to be hunted but is instead an evil creature that lies within all humans, encouraging to take on such savagery behaviour.Through Simon's realisation that 'maybe it's (the beast) is only us', Golding shifts the focus from external fear to internal responsibility.

• Quote 3 + Analysis: 'Then the clouds opened and let down the rain like a waterfall'. This reflection allows the readers to recognize this theme of inherent evil within all human, demonstrating that the Simon, who symbolises the 'voice of reason', is easily destroyed when savagery, symbolised by Jack and his hunters, takes over.

Aspect One: Techniques + RE + Link to Q

Techniques: Symbolism + Juxtaposition + Allegory

RE:
This makes me think about the importance of recognising how fragile civilisation is and how many people tend to ignore logic when they have a desire to take on more unrealistic actions. Through symbolism, juxtaposition and allegory, Golding suggests that civilisation is inherently fragile and is very much dependent on collective compliance, therefore providing me with the warning that without restraint, humanity will inevitably revert to chaos and savagery. This reflects wider society and encourages readers to reflect on their own choices as a human.

Link to Q:
Throughout the novel, Golding portrays the conflict between civilisation and savagery to reveal the fragility of social order. The island acts as a microcosm of modern society where structures such as the conch shell is able to represent democracy, law and unity. The symbolism of the conch when it is destroyed portrays the complete and utter destruction of what once represented authority and a civilised society.