AP Lit LOTF Chaps 7-12

At the beginning of the chapter, what are some of the simple things Ralph wishes for (109), and what does this tell us about his character?

Ralph wishes for a haircut, a bath with soap, a toothbrush, and a way to clean his nail. This tells us that Ralph still longs for the comforts of civilization. Ralph is not content to spend the rest of his life living on this island living as one with nature. He wants to return to his old self and civilization.

What makes Ralph feel "clamped down, helpless, condemned", and without hope (111)? Explain how Golding uses this element symbolically.

The ocean makes Ralph feel this way. Golding uses the vastness of the ocean to symbolize the separation between the island and the rest of society. Looking out over the waves, Ralph sees no other sign of humans and is struck by the violence of the water. The waves are strong and impassable to the boys without a boat. There is no way of telling how far the boys would have to travel to reach other people.

Identify the speaker and explain the following quote and its effect: 

“You’ll get back to where you came from... You’ll get back all right” (111).

Simon says this quote to Ralph when he is reassuring Ralph that he will get back home. Simon notices Ralph zoned out and particularly tense in this passage, so Simon tries to comfort Ralph. Although Ralph is still worried, this reassurance helps Ralph relax a little bit. Simon also doesn’t believe that he will also get back because he doesn’t use “we”.

1. Identify the significance of the following passage from page 112:

... they had lived in a cottage on the edge of the moors… wild ponies came to the stone wall at the bottom of the garden, and it had snowed. Just behind the cottage there was a sort of shed and you could lie up there, watching the flakes swirl past… You could go indoors when you were cold and look out of the window, past the bright copper kettle and the plate with the little blue men. When you went to bed there was a bowl of cornflakes with sugar and cream. And the books - they stood on the shelf by the bed… there was the one about the magician which you read with a kind of tied-down terror… There was a book about people who had dug things up, Egyptian things; there was The Boys Book of Trains… Vividly they came before him; he could have reached up and touched them, could feel the weight… Everything was all right; everything was good-humored and friendly

This passage is significant because it showcases Ralph’s longing for his previous life and childhood bliss after he’s been thrown into deep responsibility. Ralph vividly remembers his childhood books and room and he wants to go back there. Ralph is no longer excited by the prospect of living on a tropical island. He is homesick.

How does Ralph feel before, during, and after the hunt in this chapter?

Before the hunt Ralph feels anxious and distant. He’s dreaming of his previous life and is worried he will never return to it. During the hunt, Ralph becomes surprisingly calm. He peacefully gives control of the hunt to Jack. When the boar approaches Ralph, Ralph takes aim and hits the boar right in the nose, but the boar escapes. After the hunt, Ralph is ecstatic that he hit the boar, but he struggles to get attention for his success from the other boys. Ralph becomes carried away in their games with Robert and his primal, violent instincts are temporarily evoked. Ralph finally gets what Jack finds attractive about hunting (the group exhilaration and excitement).

After the hunt, what do the boys do to Robert, which Jack calls “a good game” (115)?

The boys all start attacking Robert like he is a pig. They poke him with their spears and then pick him up while chanting “Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!”. Jack thinks this is a good game and that the boys could have a rodeo of sorts where one boy dresses up as a big and pretends to attack Jack in a “staged hunt” .

What does Simon volunteer to do, which none of the other boys were brave enough to do? What does this action reveal about Simon’s character?

Simon volunteers to walk back to the camp alone to tell Piggy that the rest of the boys won’t be back until after dark. This reveals that Simon is comfortable being alone and is not scared of the jungle or being alone, even at night.

Which three characters are the only ones brave (or foolish) enough to climb the mountain to look at the beast?

Roger, Jack and Ralph are the only ones willing to climb the mountain to look at the beast.

Why does Jack go up to see the beast first? 

Jack goes up first because he is taunting Ralph’s hesitation at the foolishness of this plan. Finally, Jack tells Ralph that if he doesn’t want to go, Jack will go up by himself. Ralph, equally angry, says “Go on then! We’ll wait here” and Ralph and Roger wait for Jack to return.

When/Why does Ralph start to feel sick on top of the mountain? “Green lights of nausea appeared for a moment and ate into the darkness…” (123).

Ralph starts to feel nauseous on top of the mountain when he puts his hands through the cold ashes of the fire. Maybe the reminder of the fire forced Ralph to remember how long the fire has been out and the detriment of a lack of fire to the boys being rescued. Ralph’s hope pinned to the fire has been smothered. Fear of the beast, darkness and height also contribute to Ralph’s sickness.

Identify the significance/effect of the following passage: 

“Behind them the silver of moon had drawn clear of the horizon. Before them, something like a great ape was sitting asleep with its head between its knees. Then the wind roared in the forest, there was confusion in the darkness and the creature lifted its head, holding toward them the ruin of a face” (123).

This following passage is significant because it again reaffirms Samneric's interpretation of the dead man as a beast the first time they saw him in the dark. This passage builds a sense of fear/impending doom in the boys about this beast.

What does Ralph mean when he says “We’re beaten” (125)?

Ralph means that the boys have nothing left they can do to help themselves if they can’t keep the fire going on top of the mountain because of the beast. Ralph is depressed and has given up his hope of rescue.

Explain how Ralph insults Jack, the power play that ensues, and its effects.

Ralph calls Jack and his hunters mere “boys with sticks”, so Jack tries to force a coup and blows the conch to call a meeting. Ralph allows Jack to talk with the conch shell and Jack declares that Ralph shouldn’t be chief. He believes that Ralph is too much of a coward and not a hunter. But when Jack asks which boys don’t want Ralph as chief, none of the boys respond. Jack is upset and leaves the camp. He says he will be starting his own camp for hunting. Most of the other big’uns, excluding Samneric, Ralph, Piggy and Simon, eventually run off to join Jack and form an alternative group.

What solutions do Simon and Piggy offer to Ralph for moving forward?

Simon suggests that the boys should climb atop the mountain to check out the beast again. Piggy suggests starting a new signal fire in the camp, so the fire can be kept away from the beast.

What do you think Jack means when he tells his new followers, “We shan’t dream so much down here” (133)?

I think Jack means that his new followers won’t dream of rescue anymore. Rather, they will work to hunt and find success on the island because the island is their home now.

Describe how Golding uses  literary techniques during the pig hunt scene in this chapter (pages 134-135 specifically) to make it more effective.

Golding uses imagery, particularly imagery of blood, to highlight the struggle of the sow and the cruelty of the hunt in this scene. Jack and the other hunters coldly murdered a mother without any feeling of guilt. The lengthy chase causes the pig to suffer more and more. Jack’s past shock after killing his first pig is over and he is no longer upset about taking life from another animal. The boys are killing any maternal influence on him.

What does Jack steal from Ralph’s camp in this chapter?

Jack steals a branch from the fire from Ralph’s camp to cook the sow he hunted.

What is the Lord of the Flies, and what does it tell Simon?

The Lord of the Flies is represented by the dead sow’s head (that Jack killed and offered to the beast), surrounded by flies over Simon’s hiding spot. The Lord of the Flies tells Simon that he better rejoin the group and allow the boys to “have fun on the island” (kill) because the Lord of the Flies is the Beast and the Beast doesn’t want Simon. But the Lord cannot be killed, as the Lord of the Flies is part of the boys.

What does Simon realize when he climbs the mountain?

Simon realizes that the beast is really just a dead man in a parachute when he climbs the mountain.

Explain the following statement: “The beast was harmless and horrible; and the news must reach the others as soon as possible” (147).

Once Simon realizes that the beast is harmless, he wants to tell the other boys as soon as possible. Simon hurriedly struggles through his weak and injured state down the mountain to alert the other boys, but is met with assault.

Where did everyone in Ralph’s tribe disappear to (other than Ralph and Piggy)?

Everyone in Ralph’s tribe disappeared because they wanted to get the meat at the feast Jack’s tribe was hosting.

What devices are being used and what is the meaning/significance of the author writing: “Jack, painted and garlanded, sat there like an idol” (149)?

A simile is used here to compare Jack, a boy, to an almighty idol. Jack garners massive power among his tribe and all the boys on the island, Those in his tribe provide him with endless fruit and meat (similar to offerings)  and follow his every command. Jack is not leading a democracy, but is promoting himself as a god.

Explain how Golding uses an approaching storm as a symbol in this chapter. 

Golding uses imagery of an oncoming storm to foreshadow the violence that is about to erupt in this chapter. The storm serves as a warning of danger to come.

How does Jack feel about the conch?

Jack feels that the conch is silly and useless. It has no significance on his side of the island.

When Ralph points out that Jack’s tribe has no shelter against the coming storm, what does Jack order his tribe to do and why?

Jack orders his tribe to do their dance where Jack pretends to attack “the pig” (Roger) because he wants to distract the boys from Ralph’s logic. He doesn’t want the boys to realize that Ralph does have valuable things, like shelter, to offer.

Who comes out of the jungle during this scene, and what happens to him?

Simon comes out of the jungle. The circle of boys closes around Simon and they attack Simon until he dies. Simon’s body becomes statue-like and he is washed away to sea. Golding describes the boys as a self destructive beast.

What happens to the dead parachute guy on the mountain?

The dead parachute guy was blown off the mountain and down onto the beach. All the other boys run away and eventually the body is blown into the lagoon and off to sea.

Who are the only characters left in Ralph’s camp at this point in the novel?

Piggy, Ralph, Samneric and some littluns are the only characters left.

How do Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric feel about the feast the night before? Be specific.

Ralph, Piggy and Samneric are scarred from the night before. They avoid talking about Simon’s death and all say “they left early” although none of them did. They are unwilling to confront or admit to their and the other boys' actions that night.

What does Roger “admire” on Castle Rock (159)?

Roger admires the rock that is propped up by the entrance of Castle Rock with a stick. The boys “on guard” at Jack’s camp can use the stick as a lever to push the rock off the cliff and onto intruders below.

What are the “possibilities of irresponsible authority” (160)?

Jack’s tyrantic nature and seemingly random punishment of Wilfred are the “possibilities of irresponsible authority”.

Who is Wilfred and what happens to him?

Wilfred is a boy in Jack’s tribe who Jack seeks to punish for no apparent reason. After Wilfred was tied up for several hours, Jack beat him in his circle of chanting tribe members.

What does Jack tell his tribe about the beast?

Jack tells his tribe that the beast might come to Castle Rock. Jack says the beast may even come disguised, like it was with Simon.

What is “the double function of the fire”, according to Ralph (162)?

Beyond providing smoke for rescuers, the fire also gives the boys comfort, like a hearth, as they sleep.

What do Sam and Eric complain about at Ralph’s camp?

Sam and Eric complain about gathering wet wood to keep a futile fire going, because four people are not enough to keep the fire going. Moreover, Sam and Eric are both tired.

Explain the significance/symbolism of the ponies and the bus station to Ralph.

The ponies and the bus station symbolize that Ralph still dreams of rescue. While Jack’s tribe has come to terms with living on the island for the rest of their lives, Ralph still wants to return home. Additionally, so much time in the wilderness has caused the appeal of ponies in the country to wear off for Ralph. He now wishes to be in a safe bus station instead of the relative wilderness of the country.

When Jack’s tribe raids Ralph’s, what does Piggy assume Jack wanted from them?

Piggy assumes Jack wanted the conch shell.

Why does Jack really consider himself “a chief now” (168)?

Jack really considers himself a chief now because he won his first confrontation with Ralph’s tribe. He successfully stole Piggy’s broken glasses from Ralph’s camp.

Read the passage from chapter 10 (page 167) carefully. How does Golding use literary techniques to make this scene more effective?

Then there was a vicious snarling in the mouth of the shelter and the plunge and thump of living things. Someone tripped over Ralph and Piggy’s corner became a complication of snarls and crashes and flying limbs. Ralph hit out; then he and what seemed like a dozen others were rolling over and over, hitting, biting, scratching. He was torn and jolted, found fingers in his mouth and bit them. A fist withdrew and came back like a piston, so that the whole shelter exploded into light. Ralph twisted sideways on top of a writhing body and felt hot breath on his cheek. He began to pound the mouth below him, using his clenched fist as a hammer; he hit with more and more passionate hysteria as the face became slippery. A knee jerked up between his legs and he fell sideways, busying himself with his pain, and the fight rolled over him. Then the shelter collapsed with smothering finality; and the anonymous shapes fought their way out and through. Dark figures drew themselves out of the wreckage and flitted away, till the screams of the littluns and Piggy’s gasps were once more audible.

Golding uses similes, characterization of the boys as animals, and unclear ownership of body parts to highlight the violence and chaos of this scene. Golding compares the boys’ fists to pistons and hammers to show the mechanical nature of the fight. Even Ralph has lost his discomfort with violence in this scene, and the boys fight each other relentlessly without guilt or emotion. By using words such as “snarl” and “biting”, Golding highlights the wild, animalistic nature of the scene. Finally, most of this passage is from Ralph’s perspective. Golding highlights the confusion in this fight by not clarifying whose mouth Ralph punched or who was hitting. Ralph never even noticed which boys raided their camp.

What does Piggy plan to say to Jack when they travel to Castle Rock?

Piggy plans to bring the conch to Castle Rock and tell Jack that he can’t see without his glasses and that this is unfair. Piggy wants to use morals to get Jack to give him his glasses back.

How does Ralph suggest they present themselves, in appearance, to Jack, and why?

Ralph suggests that they clean themselves up by brushing their hair and washing themselves before they go to castle rock. He wants to look civilized, so he can remind Jack that this isn’t a game, that Jack should act civilized, and that their primary goal should be rescue.

What does Ralph almost, sort of, forget, and what does this suggest?

Ralph almost forgets why he needs a fire. This suggests that Ralph is starting to lose his drive to get rescued because he has been on the island for so long and he’s starting to lose his mind.

Identify the literary devices used and how they contribute to the significance of the following passage from pages 173-174:

There was no sign left of the storm, and the beach was swept clean like a blade that has been scoured. The sky and the mountain were at an immense distance, shimmering in the heat; and the reef was lifted by mirage, floating in a kind of silver pool halfway up the sky.

They passed the place where the tribe had danced. The charred sticks still lay on the rocks where the rain had quenched them but the sand by the water was smooth again.

This passage uses similes, metaphors and lots of imagery to underscore the short moment of peace at Ralph’s camp. Although Jack’s raid caused much destruction, the ocean washed away signs of the invasion. The island is still beautiful and relatively unaffected by the boys, even as they destroy themselves.

How do Jack and the members of his tribe react to Ralph’s presence at Castle Rock and to his ideas?

Jack and his tribe are angry at Ralph’s presence. They believe his calling of an assembly is useless and foolish. Jack demands that Ralph leaves his side of the island and leaves his tribe alone.

What does Jack order his tribe to do to Samneric and why?

Jack orders his tribe to tie Samneric up to prove to Ralph that Jack has control and obedience of his tribe.

What does Ralph, when he loses his “temper”, call Jack (179), and how is this significant?

Ralph calls Jack a beast, a swine and a bloody, bloody thief. This is significant because it shows that the beast on the island is the boys themselves, in particular Jack’s desire for dominance.

What happens to Piggy and the conch?

Piggy and the conch are hit by the rock that Roger pushes off the cliff onto them. The conch is shattered and Piggy is thrown off the bridge to his death. Piggy's body is washed away into the ocean.

How does Ralph react to the Lord of the Flies, and why do you think this is?

Ralph quickly becomes angry with the Lord of the Flies and smashes it to pieces with a stick. I think this is because the pig skull symbolizes Jack’s tribe and its successes to Ralph. Attacking the pig skull was a proxy for Ralph expressing his anger with Jack.

Identify the importance of Ralph’s conversation with Samneric.

Ralph’s conversation with Samneric showed the total control through fear that Jack has over his tribe. Samneric regret leaving Ralph alone and try to help him, at least a little bit, by telling Ralph Jack’s plan and giving Ralph meat. But, Samneric are too scared of Jack and Roger to run away with Ralph. They tell Ralph that Jack and Roger forced them to join the tribe by hurting them and Samneric feel they have no option other than staying with the tribe.

How does Ralph’s plan to evade Jack’s hunters work out? What options does Ralph have during this experience?

At first Ralph’s plan to evade Jack’s hunters seems good because Ralph stays well hidden and the hunters search the whole island empty handed. But, when the hunters return to Castle Rock, one of the twins has told Jack Ralph’s plan. So, the hunters push heavy rocks off of the cliff and onto the thicket where Ralph is hiding. Ralph survives these falling rocks, but the second falling boulder shot Ralph into the air and gave away his location. Ralph successfully stabs one hunter who tries to climb through the thicket to Ralph, but is ultimately forced to flee his hiding spot when Jack sets fire to the thicket. A chase starts across the island. Ralph is running from the line of Jack’s hunters covering the island and the fire encroaching on the hunters. During this chase, Ralph sees three options: climbing a tree, hiding, or trying to run through the line of hunters and escape the other way. He decides to hide in what was Simon’s hiding place by the Lord of the Flies.

Identify the meaning of the following quote: “The fools! The fools!” (198).

Ralph is expressing that Jack’s tribe was stupid for setting fire to the whole island because they are burning down the fruit trees which is the island’s main source of food.

Explain the irony present in the scene where Ralph meets the naval officer.

The boys are finally rescued because the navy ship saw all the smoke from a burning island. If Jack had not started the fire, and thereby destroyed the island, in pursuit of Ralph, the boys would not have been rescued. Jack’s actions ultimately led to achieving Ralph’s primary goals: creating a fire and being rescued.

Identify “the darkness of man’s heart” (202).

The darkness of man’s heart is the inherent nature of humans to be evil that Ralph learns from the other boys.

What does Ralph realize about the beast?

It's probably not real, since Simon "said something about a dead man" before he died

The boys in Jack's tribe now refer to him as:

Chief