Lord of the Flies free essay sample

Every child, regardless of when, loses their innocence; it is inevitable. In Lord of the Flies, the reader can recognize this law live up to its word, namely in the protagonist Ralph. Upon arriving on the island, Ralph was oblivious to the circumstances he was soon to be subjected to. Ralph’s innocent and childlike mindset has distorted itself into that of a hostile hunter. In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, the reader witnesses the Loss of Innocence theme and observes Ralph’s descent into impurity. Ralph is first portrayed as just another kid, waiting for his problems to disappear. He had no plan on how to get off the island, and no reason to worry about it; â€Å"daddy† would take care of it for him. Ralph was not concerned about what to do about the situation he was in, and told Piggy why. Ralph tells Piggy, â€Å" Daddy taught me. We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the Flies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He’s a commander in the Navy. When he gets leave he’ll come and rescue us†¦ They’d tell him at the airport. † (7) Ralph relied upon the airport telling his father where their plane crashed, with little to no knowledge as to where they could have landed. Though the odds were very slim, Ralph counted on his daddy coming to get him from the island in the middle of the Pacific. He was like a helpless little child, grasping his daddy’s hand and waiting to be led. With the increase of time spent on the island, Ralph’s innocence begins to diminish. Ralph is no longer the helpless little child he once was when he first landed; Ralph has evolved from a benign child to a hostile hunter. After going hunting with the boys, Ralph tried to regain the group’s attention as they all focused on Jack’s’ wounded left arm. Ralph reminisced on how he hit the pig with his spear and then began to act as though Roger were the pig, jabbing at him while Roger rushed away. Soon, the group surrounded Robert, all participating in the jabbing: â€Å"Ralph too was fighting to get near, to get a handful of that brown, vulnerable flesh. The desire to squeeze and hurt was overmastering. † (101) The boys all got hold of Roger and, without any second thought, began to poke at him, hurting him as a result. The â€Å"innocent Ralph† would have attempted to prevent the actions, rather than beginning the prodding of Roger. Ralph has evidently lost his innocence and this situation shows no different. As Ralph spends more time on the island, he, along with the reader, becomes aware of his loss of innocence.. After the deaths of both Simon and Piggy, Ralph has officially become a loner. Everyone else on the island has transferred over to Jack’s group of uncivilized hunters, the polar opposite of the group once run under Ralph’s chieftainship. Knowing that Ralph is now an independent individual in hiding, Jack sweeps the island to ensure that he finds Ralph. After Samneric reveal Ralph’s position, however, Jack lights the island on fire so Ralph cannot escape the fiery wrath of the opposing chief. After desperately sprinting away from the hunters, Ralph runs into a naval officer. The officer questions Ralph about the group and after answering these questions, Ralph has another moment of clarity and begins sobbing. â€Å" Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy. † (182) After being given the chance to relax, Ralph begins to grasp the concept that he has changed throughout this entire experience. The innocent stage has now passed, for himself and the rest of the group. Ralph now knows that he is no different from the other children; all children lose their innocence at some point. Golding’s depiction of Ralph from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel greatly reflects the theme of loss of innocence. Ralph evolves from the helpless child to the hostile hunter after the crises he is put through. Ralph is a representation of every child on the earth and the inescapable loss of innocence. Through Ralph, the reader can learn that a crisis, no matter the scale, can affect the victim. Lord of the Flies free essay sample Typically, in western culture masculinity is traditionally constructed as a way to show physical superiority. Masculinity in society is typically shown through the physical body which shows that masculinity is generally constructed to be heroic and a dominant power. This is shown in the novel Lord of the Flies, the theme of masculinity through the physical body is used to gain power from the group of boys. Characters in this novel were made to show different views, these characters Piggy, Ralph and Jack Merridew. As much as Ralph and Piggy try to provide hope the need of power pushes the other boys into complete savagery. Piggy is an overweight boy with asthma that can not see without his glasses. In the novel he represents physical weakness and mental strength. Piggy’s obesity and poor sight help show that he lacks in physical well being, also his glasses help illustrate his intelligence. We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the Flies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the novel Piggy provides ideas that are valuable to the group. His ability to be logical in situations helps Ralph lead the group. But because of Piggy’s lack of physical appearance he is not treated like as leader like Ralph and Jack. Piggy has contributed to the group numerous times. He has helped Ralph become leader by identifying the conch and how to use it. Piggy always stands by his ideas and decisions; he defends his system of having names and having laws. When Piggy dies all the law and order dies with his as well. In many instances Piggy was either ignored or threatened by other boys. Piggy was a main target for Jack because of his lack of physical strength and the need to be logical. The only ideas that were considered being used were the only ones that Ralph had suggested as the group would not listen to Piggy. Later in the novel when the boys separate into different groups the need of fire for survival overwhelms humanity and forces Jack and others to steal Piggy’s glasses, another factor of Jack’s decision was because of their lack of self defense as Piggy and Ralph were defenseless. However, whatever Piggy lacks in physically he gets more of intellectually. Ralph is a handsome, athletic twelve year old elected leader by the boys. He is sensible and self confident, Ralph represents physical well being and a democratic leader. Gradually he becomes disheartened under the burden of being leader. Ralph shows how society sees people who are attractive, people tend to like them better and actually listen to him. Ralph is closely linked to the conch throughout the novel. The shell and Ralph both represent law and order. He is elected leader of the group because of his control of the conch which separates him from the other boys. He then later on uses the conch to hold meetings and set up rules like keeping fresh water available, where to use the bathroom, building shelters and keeping the signal fire lit. Ralph who is born from a military background gives hope and sees in a democratic way. Ralph represents hope, he tells the boys that rescue is coming and shows that by enforcing a fire on the top of the mountain to show that there are people on the island. When they are told that there is a monster on the island, Ralph ensures the boys that there is really no monster and that they are safe. Ralph’s main concern is to survive until they are rescued. He runs into trouble with Jack who does not agree with his plan. Throughout the whole novel, Ralph struggles to remain true to himself and fights to keep the signal fire lit up. This demonstrates how in the novel physical appearance is used to gain power. In Lord of the Flies masculinity functions as a tool to gain power shown through choir leader Jack Merridew. Jack loves attention, and does anything he can to obtain it. This in the novel means gaining power by using the other boy’s weaknesses to his advantage. His violent behavior associated with his ego of being masculine influence the group to live up to Jack’s expectations by disagreeing with Ralph, and to do what he thinks is important; to kill the pig. Jack perceives himself higher than the rest of the group especially Piggy. Jack ridicules Piggy because of his lack of physical appearance and his mental superiority over the others. To get the others to join his side Jack he provides them with the thought of safety and survivability. To prove his promises, Jack provides a feast by killing the pig. He provides warmth and a way to cook by stealing Piggy’s glasses to create fire. These things are provided by violence and are backed by his physical well being. Although he has succeeded by getting what he promised, there were also consequences as Piggy was killed while trying to fight for his glasses. After Piggy’s death his ego overwhelmed his humanity and was set aside as he needed to kill Ralph to feel fully superior. This demonstrates how Jack uses masculinity and fear as a tool to gain power over others. Lord of the Flies portrays the theme of masculinity through the physical body as a way to gain power to control the group; Jack harms Piggy to intimidate the group. Jack goes against his authority (Ralph) in order to show the group that he is the more superior leader. He also shows his masculinity by showing his anger towards hunting. Jack as with his physical well being uses fear to gain power. Jack victimizes Piggy because of his weight and his use for Ralph and uses the pig, want of survival as a way to separate the group. Through society masculinity is constructed as a form of physical superiority. Lord of the Flies free essay sample What stage of Kohlberg’s Moral Reasoning do Ralph and Jack seem to be at? How about the young boys? The stage of Kohlberg’s Moral Reasoning that I believe that Ralph seem to be at would be the post conventional level, which would be stage 5 and a little bit of 6. Ralph was concern about the whole group and wanted them to stick together and wait until they got rescue. The level that I believe that Jack is in is the pre-convention level. Jack increasingly gets cruel and wild toward the end. Making him be in stage 1 because he wants total power and control. He punishes children and tortures the twins until they give in to his power. The level that I believe the young boys are in is the pre-conventional and conventional level, level 1-3, because they boys are trying to survive and by doing that they need to obey the rules in order to avoid punishment. We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the Flies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They are all associate there so they have to listen to each other and they elected a leader, so they are helping them and also being helped. Based on the stage that Kohlberg felt that most people reach, and based on the various circumstances that cause people to progress to certain levels, do you feel that the boys were above or below the level that most people reach? Kohlberg believed that most individuals would only reach the conventional level. Most of the boys are below the level that most people reach. But then again these boys are young and maybe don’t have the education to reach Kohlberg’s expectation. So in my opinion most of the boys are in the pre-conventional level. Ralph is the only person that I think that is above Kohlberg’s expectation, because of the way he was thinking. He was thinking what would an adult do in the situation and also worry about everyone as a group. 2. Ralph appears to be demonstrating the use of one type of power, while Jack appears to be demonstrating the use of a different type of power. Describe. The type of power that Ralph demonstrates is legitimate and also charismatic. He is legitimate because he was elected by the groups of boys, so he was in control because of the title of rank. And charismatic because he was chosen to be the leader because the boys saw that he was some to trust. They saw that he was powerful, his size and his attractive appearance. On the other hand Jack demonstrated coercive and reward power. He showed coercive because he wanted power and when he got it he made the boys fear him through punishment. He showed reward power by his ability to hunt because he rewards them with meat. 3. What moral philosophy does Ralph appear to be using, which one does Jack appear to using? The Ethical Philosophy that I believe Ralph is using is Deontological Philosophy. He is a justice ethics. He is always thinking about what the adults would do in the situation he was in. But he always tries to do what was fair for the group. The Ethical Philosophy that I believe Jack is using is Teleological Philosophy. He is an egoistic because he only worries about himself. From the beginning he wants to be the leader and be in control. When he doesn’t he gets it, he gets fed up by the way Ralph is running things. So he decided to leave that group and start one on of his own making himself the leader. 4. Give some examples of symbols in the story that might be related to ethics. Describe. Some symbols in the story that relate to ethic is the beast, it symbolizes the boys savagery and self-morals. As the story goes on you hear more about the beast and more you hear about the beast the more the boys lose their social integrity. Another symbol is the conch, it symbolizes social values. It inspires the boys to have a sense of order. Wherever the conch appears the boys follow the rules. And when they aren’t near the conch things seem to be out of order. Another symbol is the fire signal. Its symbolizes the boys connection to civilization. They maintain the fire to sign to be rescued and return to society. But the boys lose the desire to be rescued and have accepted their savage lives on the island when the fire is low. 5. What is the best explanation that can be given as to why the boys acted in the manner that they did, according to what Kohlberg might speculate is the reason? The best explanation that I can give to as why the boys acted the way they did because of survival. Both Jack and Ralph were powerful leaders but have different views on how to run things. Ralph wants to run things in a orderly matter while Jack wants to have control where everyone fears him because of punishment. And the reason why Jack wants to kill Ralph is because he feels threatened by him. According to what Kohlberg might speculate is that it might be the way they were brought up or even the way they were treated before getting to the island. Because they weren’t fully grown so they only knew some of the stages. Lord of the Flies free essay sample Lord Of The Flies: Regression of Humanity To go backwards in life means to regress; This is shown excessively throughout the novel Lord Of The Flies by William Golding. It is about young boys who strive to stay civilized but ultimately regress back into a savage phase, where their primal needs for food and shelter dominate. The breaking of the conch shell and the use of face paint and spears demonstrate the regression of the boys which is caused by a lack of law and order, and therefore ends in total destruction of the island. The conch shell’s original purpose was to create rules in the boys’ lives, however it ends up being destroyed. During an argument between Jack, chief of the hunters, and Ralph, chief of the boys, they say; â€Å"The rules! ’ shouted Ralph. ’You’re breaking the rules. ’ ‘Who cares? ’ Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got! ’ ‘Bollocks to the rules! †(91). We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the Flies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This proves that the shell is losing its power and authority to some, mainly Jack. Another example of the boys regressing is the breaking of the conch shell. When Piggy, an intelligent, but social outcast due to his weight, tries to stand up to Jack, the narrator explains how Roger, one of Jack’s many hunters, pushes a boulder on top of Piggy and Walker shatters the shell; â€Å"The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist†(181). This shows how the boys are willing to demolish whatever or whoever comes in their way because there is no law and order to stop them. The breaking of the conch is a sever sign of regression however, this problem is also caused by the use of face paint. The use of face paint to the boys is to hide their problems and create a new identity for themselves, however Jack chooses to use it in a different way. He explains to Roger what he chooses to use this mask for; â€Å"For hunting. Like the war. You know dazzle paint†(63). This proves that Jack has given up on trying to stay civilized and regrets making that choice so he chooses to lie and portray a new Jack behind the painted on mask. The narrator also points out; â€Å"†¦the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid liberated from shame and self-consciousness†(64). This shows how Jack is upset at himself and chooses to use the mask to hide his emotions and problems from the others. The boys face many more issues regarding the face paint, however they also run into similar challenges when using the spears. The spears were merely, suppose to be for hunting, however the boys slowly start to lose sight of that and start using the spears for their own pleasure. Here is what happens when the narrator talks about one of their pig hunts; Here struck down by the heat, the sow fell and the hunters hurled themselves at her†¦Roger ran round the heap, prodding with his spear whenever pigflesh appeared†¦Roger found a lodgment for his point and began to push till he was leaning with his whole weight(135). Walker This shows how the boys, especially Roger, use the spears to fulfill their own satisfaction by torturing and killing this mother sow and in doing so they also kill her newborn piglets. The boys also use the spears when they decapitate the sow. The narrator says; â€Å"Jack held up the head and jammed the soft throat on the pointed end of the stick which pierced through into the mouth† (136-137). This shows that the boys are regressing because in civilization, they would never decapitate any creature or human. From little steps like the conch shell shattering, and the use of face paint and spears, the boys’ utter madness turns into total destruction of the island. The island is demolished because the survivors, who are now hunters, turn against Ralph and try to kill him the same way they killed the sow. To make it easier on themselves, Jack orders the hunters to set the island on fire, however this is ironic because by setting the island on fire, they caught the attention of a passing ship which was suppose to be the original purpose of building a fire. Works Cited Golding, William. Lord Of The Flies. New York, NY: The Putnam Publishing Group, 1954. Print Lord of the Flies free essay sample This sentence caught my concentration when reading chapter four. It shows that without people they know and love around they are satisfied with strangers. These are little kids who need their moms or someone they care about to keep them calm and help them feel safe. When they are trapped in an island full of strangers and terrified they are okay with huddling with each other. This is interesting because us as humans need each other to have comfort. Page 69: â€Å"Hasn’t anyone got any sense? We’ve got to relight the fire. You never thought of that, Jack did you? Or don’t any of you want to be rescued? † Ralph said this and this was when I knew these two were just going to split up into two groups. I found it interesting how Ralph wanted to keep that fire on to be rescued but the other thought there were things more important to do. We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the Flies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The other cared too much about hunting and finding the beast when they should also be trying to be saved. Ralph knew without the smoke from the fire they couldn’t be rescued so I liked it when he would take a stand. This quote showed what Ralph cared about the most. Page 75: â€Å"’You’ll get back to where you came from. ’ Simon nodded as he spoke. † This showed what a faithful heart Simon has and how he believes so much that everything would be okay. Simon was always the one on Ralph’s side and just a good friend. I really liked how he comforted Ralph when Ralph lost hope. I think that Simon’s words helped Ralph to keep on trying to make the island civilized. This is something I would say because I am a very faithful person. Page 109: â€Å"We shall take fire from the others. Listen. Tomorrow we’ll hunt and get meat. Tonight I’ll go along with two hunters—Who’ll come? This is engaging because Jack is pretty much starting war. He is going completely crazy and wants to steal the other’s things. He could just go ask for the specs to make fire but he has to go and take them. I understand because he is an unintelligent savage with no common sense. This is when I started to just completely hate Jack and the other boys helping him. Page 122: â€Å"You’re a beast and a swine and a bloody bloody thief! ’ When Ralph said this I immediately got excited because I knew things were about to get juicy. He finally exploded and told Jack what he thought of jack. Jack did way too many awful things to Ralph and now Ralph is speaking up more than before. I imagine Ralph using the same tone that jack normally uses so he can get on Jack’s level. After this it was predictable that the fight would get crazy and Jack would try to kill Ralph. Reading Reflection Journal 08/08/12 Page 31: This book is very attention grabbing but it sure has me thinking a lot. One thing I still don’t comprehend is how they weren’t together if they all crashed in the same plane. I also don’t understand why they were attacked, it might have been during a war but the book doesn’t make it clear. The rest of the book was fairly easy to understand. I like it how they had the meeting in the beginning and chose a leader. One thing I feel is a challenge for them is that they are too young to handle the job of starting a life on an island. I wonder what the characters truly represent and how they will change. They can’t really follow rules and stay focused in order to do everything that needs to be done. If I were the main character, Ralph, I would put my foot down and act like a leader. He needs to take charge or else Jack will take over the job of bossing everyone around, which is what I think is happening at this point. I really don’t like the way they treat Piggy, it makes me sad to see someone who wants everything to be okay but no one ever listens to him. I can relate to Piggy because I as well try to speak my mind and show people what they are doing is incorrect but because of my age and appearance they think I am irrelevant. 08/10/12 Page: 63 Jack and his hunters are very unintelligent for the reason that they are way too focused on catching the pig. They should’ve had someone watching the fire when that ship passed by. I feel that Ralph wouldn’t be so mad at Jack if this were Jack’s first time screwing up. All of Jack’s disagreement with Ralph before this point made Ralph even madder. I just feel that soon the island will split up between Jack and his hunters and Ralph and the other. Jack is very bossy so he is also trying way too hard to be a higher authority than Ralph. I love the idea that this book gives of children trying to survive and it seems as if it’s just not going to work out very well. I also found very fascinating that Simon went into the woods alone to get away from chaos, which is something I would’ve done as well. I have now reached the part in the book where I just can’t stop reading. I am starting to like it more with all the action and drama happening. I like it how the children are now used to life in the island but that can also be a bad thing, they are too comfortable. Jack and his hunters made me mad especially since they were happy about the pig, even the other ware happy except for Ralph, Simon, and Piggy. I would’ve been disappointed in myself if I was Jack and not mad at Ralph for getting upset. Things in the island are getting crazy and out of control and I think that they just need to be a little more mature. Ralph did what I would do as well which is call them into a meeting and point out what they are all doing wrong. I think the rest should’ve listened and change their ways but I don’t they will. Jack finally did something right by comforting the littluns through telling them if there is a beast he will hunt it down. I don’t think this will keep them calm for long but at least it gives them some temporary happiness. It seems as if Jack, Simon and Piggy are the only ones who are trying to leave the island while the others are being foolish. 08/12/12 Page 84 The book is becoming clearer to me now and I realize that there is a war going on. I don’t understand why Ralph didn’t go see if the fire was on so the jets could spot it since he always freaks out about the fire. I hate it how Sam and Eric are slow enough to think a shadow is the monster, and how the other believes the same. I love that the Author added this parachute to scare them because it just makes it more interesting. Now if it was I who was encountering this shadow would be much more intelligent about it and see that it is just a shadow. I just detest it that they are over reacting and seeing things that are not there. The boys then did what I would’ve done by no which is look for the beast. When they were looking in the cave and walking around the island I appreciated how they had some fun and acted like kids. I think that even though they need to worry they are just kids and should have some fun. I wonder if there is a point between Jack’s ideas and Ralph’s idea because in my opinion that would be the best way for them to live in the island. Now that some of the boys went back to the shelter and some stayed looking for the beast in the dark I am terrified that something terrible can happen. I know the beast isn’t real but they can still get hurt; if I were there I would wait to hunt more the next day. /15/12 Page: 114 This book just keeps getting better and just pulling me in more and more. I don’t like it how childish Jack is being. I don’t think he should leave the boys just because there are rules. I think the ones who went with jack are stupid for leaving because I in my opinion it will harm their chances of being saved. I wondere d if there would be a kind of war between the two sides and I was right. They should not be worshiping Jack if he isn’t even treating them correctly. I liked the twist when Simon found the sow’s head when looking for the peaceful place he liked going to so he could to just relax. I loved when the head told him the beast was within them because I fully agree. They are scaring themselves and are doing horrific things with their inner beast. I really don’t understand how they didn’t recognize it was Simon coming out of the woods. It was wrong of them to beat Simon like that into his awful death. They shouldn’t have killed him because Simon would’ve stopped them from being frightened of the beast. It was a sad turn in the book because I could relate to Simon, being peaceful and peaceful. I was so happy to see Ralph was sad about Simon’s death because unfortunately no one else seemed to care. I just feel like the other boys are stupid for believing Jack’s story about the monster shaping himself into Simon. I hated the part when they attacked Ralph’s side because it was so sad and unpleasant to read. The boys are rude and have no common knowledge because obviously they could’ve asked for the glasses to make a fire. I wonder if they realize that the beast lies within them. 12/117/12 Page: 139 I loved the book’s ending even though it was very sad and unexpected. I was so sad when Piggy died because he was the only truly innocent person on the island and he was too miserable and humiliated before being killed. I thought Ralph would die in the end but I am really glad he did not. I loved Ralph’s character because he never went to the enemy’s side no matter how much he had to suffer, which I would do as well. This part of the book is very believable because it is like humans to do such horrific things to each other. This section made me think about what was going through the savage children’s minds. They must’ve been terrible human beings to make Ralph and the other go through such torture. I wish they would’ve all had been saved but I guess the book wouldn’t had been as interesting. I really do not like how the Officer treated them, he should’ve just been happy to find them. The things said at the end were just very interesting. This book had so many twists and turns and shows that maybe children shouldn’t be alone in an island without adults. Final response This book was just a great and enjoyable read and I truthfully liked it. I just loved how the characters all had different ideas of what they should be doing on the island or had different roles in the island. I liked that the book shows the war of savagery and civilization that can happen when a group of kids are stuck in a stranded island. It showed what chaos just children could make just by being stranded without adults to tell them what to do. It was a believable book even with the extreme things that happened. I didn’t like how they didn’t follow the rules from the beginning but I guess that is what made the fight between the two sides start. It truly upset me how careless Jack was about others and how he just wanted to be king and for everyone else to suffer. He treated Piggy and Ralph and everyone like trash and he is just not a moral person. When the ship passed by and the fire was out my hatred for Jack just grew even more. What I think was happening was that Jack just wanted to have too much fun. Ralph was a great and just person but Simon was the character who I liked the most. He did not really follow either side and was just to himself but I think that is why he died. If I were Simon I wouldn’t had gone into the woods alone. I liked the way the author sent the message to Simon from the lord of the flies and then got rid of Simon from the story. It was interesting that the book was not full of happiness and it was just very realistic. Stories aren’t always happy, even if kids are involved, and this book is a great example of that. I also really enjoyed his love for the peaceful place in the woods where he would go to just relax and be away from everyone. I also enjoy having time to myself to just enjoy the good things around me. One thing I loved about this book was the beast and the significance of the beast. At first I thought it might be just an animal trying to scare the kids and they are over reacting. I then realized it was real when I reached the part where it talked about the parachute. At last the sow’s head explained the meaning of it and it just caught my attention. The perception of the beast being in all of us really fascinated me. It is hard to admit but we do all have a scary and evil beast inside of us that makes us want and feel the need to do things we shouldn’t. I can absolutely relate to having that within me and it is somewhat terrifying to believe. The ending was fairly happy but still very out of the ordinary. I found it weird that the pilot cared so much about what the kids did in the island rather than just being happy to find them. The pilot shouldn’t be criticizing the kids for doing suck horrific things on the island if they are just kids. I would’ve been upset at the pilot if I was Ralph or one of the others. I hope that after being recued the boys were all right and everything was okay. Significant Language Devices in the Novel 1. â€Å"The passionate noise of agreement noise of agreement from the assembly hit him like a wave and he lost his thread. †(P. 24) -The language device in this sentence is a simile. -This simile shows that when Ralph said â€Å"We want to have fun. And we want to be rescued†(p. 24) that the others agreed and the noises of agreement sounded like a wave was coming towards Ralph. This makes the text seem like they all agreed and so they all made the same sound. 2. Strange things happened at midday. The glittering sea rose up, moved apart in planes of blatant impossibility; the coral reef and the few stunned palms that clung to the more elevated parts would float up into the sky, would quiver, be plucked apart, run like raindrops on a wire or be prepared as in an odd succession of mirrors†(P39) -This is an example of the use of Imagery. -This sel ection from the passage explains thoroughly what the weird things happening on the middle of the days looked like. It helps the reader create an image of these crazy images the boys see around the island. 3. A silver of moon rose over the horizon, hardly large enough to make a path of light even when it sat down on the water†(P64) -This uses personification. -With the use of irony the writer makes the moon seem like it has the human capability of sitting down on an object. It helps the reader understand that the moon is touching the horizon if the sea but it isn’t bright enough to make a path of light reflecting on the water that reaches the island. 4. â€Å"Ralph came to the surface and squirted a jet of water at him†(P99) -This is a metaphor. -It compares the amount of water Ralph squirted to a jet of water, which means he squirted a lot. This helps the reader understand that Ralph did not just squirt a small amount of water. 5. â€Å"Then the sea breathed again in a long, slow sigh, the water boiled white and pink over the rock; and when it went, sucking back again, the body of piggy was gone†(P124) -This sentence has the use of personification. -By stating that the sea took a deep breath it indicates to the reader that the sound of the sea and the slow motion of it is like the breath of a human. It gets the reader thinking of how the wave slowly came and slowing â€Å"breathed in† Piggy’s body. Lord of the flies free essay sample The setting in The Lord of the Flies is rather ironic isnt it? I mean, usually a deserted tropical island seems rather tranquil and attractive to people today. However, the abandonment of these children presented a reflection of the current day trouble of 1940s England. Due to World War II, children were being uprooted and put into new places often having the responsibility of learning to live with new circumstances entirely on their own. I think the tropical island suggests the nature of this very real experience for children in that day: at first the attraction of the new presents itself as un, but as time goes on the real and present dangers of the circumstances surface and attack the children. These children were also a microcosm of a society. Much writing in the 1940s expressed displeasure with war and demonstrated the human potential to destroy each other. This piece is no different. We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the flies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page What I like about this piece in particular is how that capacity to take life from one another literally destroys Ralphs psyche by the end of the story. The link below will provide further insight and ideas for setting if you scroll to the bottom of the page. Setting is the physical environment in which action occurs. It is a common literary element of every story. However, when it is used eloquently, it can be seen as brilliant device that aids in the development of a story. In the novel Lord of the Flies, the author, William Golding, focuses on depicting his setting in great detail. Throughout the novel, he utilizes the setting to motivate character behavior, foreshadow events that will take place, and also to represent the values held by the characters. At the beginning of the novel, the haracters discover that they are stranded on an island with no other humans. Since all of the characters are children, they are inexperienced on how to handle grave situations. Considering they are all by themselves, their environment forcefully arranges them into two groups. One of the groups is the hunters which will go out and kill animals for food. This group must be created, otherwise, all the characters shall die. The boy who will take on this challenge will be Jack. Jack, at the beginning of the novel, was a very considerate and caring. An example of this takes place in hapter one where he is about to kill a pig but did not have the heart to do it. However as the novel proceeds, his environment, the forest, and his new role of hunter will change him to an uncaring, selfish savage. The other group that will co- exist is one that will stay behind and do non-violent work such as building huts or creating weapons. As a result of having two groups within the whole, a leader must emerge in order to keep the two groups working efficiently. Since there is no adult on the island to take on the responsibility, the characters environment once again forces hem to elect a leader. The person who is elected is Ralph. He is forced to be organized and insightful on how to keep everyone alive. This is shown through him organizing a way for people to voice their opinions in his meetings. It is also shown through him suggesting that they build shelter and appointing people to take on certain parts in that task. Golding also uses the setting in order to foreshadow events that will happen or actions of characters. At the beginning of the novel, he illustrates the island in a fashion that makes it seem heavenly. This description akes the island too good to be true and the reader will realize that throughout the rest ot the novel. Another example is when ng starts out the chapter wit n Over the island the build-up of clouds continued. (pg. 145) Golding moves on to describe the storm in a very cryptic way. He discusses the gusty wind, thunder and lightning and this makes the reader feel as if something wicked will happen. Oddly enough, something unfortunate does happen. The boys who were hunters were having a meeting and they saw a figure crawling in the forest. In reaction to this, they went to he forest and started beating the fgure believing it was the beast, an animal, which they believed was trying to hinder their rescue. Instead they find out that they were actually beating their friend Simon. Unfortunately they beat him to death. These were two examples that display the way in which Golding used the setting to foreshadow events. Golding also used setting to delineate values and the state of mind of the characters. For example, In chapter 5 the group splits up into two groups because Jack believed that Ralph was not qualified to be leader of the entire group nd did not want to follow his orders. Therefore, the leader of one group was Ralph and the leader of the other group was Jack. Jacks group moved into the forest to live. Golding decides for that group to move there because that group is evil, and savagery. This is what most people believe to be the place where savages live and where the strongest kill the weak. He then has Ralph and his followers who are depicted as a little more benevolent and democratic live on the beach. Golding chose the beach because that is where the shelter was and all the supplies of the haracters and meeting place. Therefore, through these two environments it can be said that Golding depicted the two types of people savages or the ill of the human spirit and the civilized. The setting in the Lord of the Flies is quite significant in the development of the story. William Golding uses it to motivate character behavior, foreshadow events and represent his characters personalities. He did an excellent job in painting a setting that did more than play a background but a literary element that helped make the novel more entertaining. Lord of the Flies free essay sample Have you ever wondered how a group of boys would survive on an Island? In William Goldings novel Lord of the Flies published In 1954, Golding uses characterization, diction, and imagery to create vivid scenarios in which a tribe of boys undergo tremendous change after finding themselves stranded. Through the boys actions and reactions, towards each other and events, we uncover true human nature. Ralph, the central character, represents leadership and equality. He is elected chief, and when he and pggy find the conch shell, they use It to create a emocracy. Ralph is also the one that goes to look for the beast (even though hes scared), to help the group. Jack directly represents evil and the desire for power which contrasts with Ralph. When Jack kills the pregnant female sow, we see his ignorance and unwillingness to change. Killing off the sow is symbolic of destroying the future. We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the Flies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Jack takes control of his own tribe, and his actions bring about the murder of innocence. That innocence was embodied by Simon and Piggy, and destroyed as a direct result of Jacks actions. Another key character Is Roger; he Is Jacks right hand hit man and enforces Jacks rules. He Is cruel and savage. We see the change In environment on the island parallel and foreshadow what events occur with the boys. For example, the forest starts out healthy with pigs and fruit trees, but they consume their resources and burn down the forest. The symbolism of the fire represents hope when they first come to the island because they want to be rescued, and it is also a contrast to the darkness, or evil, that descends on the island. The conch is another important symbol, representing a civilized society, but after It Is destroyed and they stop following the rules, the boys turn into savages. Development of the beast directly parallels the darkness of the devil. Early on in the novel we learn of the beast. It is a creature that scares the children and embodies the evil nature of the devil. This creature, or darkness, is what lurks in the back of all human minds: The nature to destroy innocence in order to gain power. The beast represents fear of the nknown; how superstition can be used to gain power, and the potential for evil within all of us. When the boys Imagine the dead pilot Is a beast and believe they lost their signal fire, Ralph says, And now that thing squats by the flre as though It didnt want us to be rescued. So, We cant have a signal fire were beaten. When Jack leads his tribe and they kill Simon, the boys exhibit a mob mentality; they work themselves into frenzy, and as a group feed off each other in an irrational and violent way. Their behavior is predatory and evil; they kill the innocence on the island. Piggy and Simon represent goodness and light which Is symbolic of God. In the story, Piggy represents democracy and Intelligence; his glasses are symbolic of knowledge. Simon says that intelligence is innocence in its purist form, drawing a parallel to Jesus Christ. Piggy just wanted to get off the island and back to modern democracy, saying to Ralph, Right is Right, expressing his high ethical standards. Simon is just a kind, caring person who wants the best for others. He also represents spirituality; Simon is naturally good and seeks out the source of evil discovering its true nature. Simon stands on an entirely different plane from all the other boys as he embodies a splrltual goodness tnat Is deeply connected wltn nature and, In Its own way, as natlve as Jacks evil. When Simon and Piggy are killed, it is the destruction of pure innocence on the island. Not all innocence dies though; there is one survivor: Ralph. When the naval officer asks Whos boss here? Ralph replies, l am. LORD OF THE FLIES free essay sample # 8211 ; Primitive Religion Essay, Research Paper # 8220 ; He looked in amazement, no longer at himself but at an amazing alien? He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling? The face of ruddy and white and black swung through the air? # 8221 ; In the fresh Lord of the Flies, an history of crude faith is apparent in the behaviour of the runing party. Initially, we will research chant and unvarying action and it? s religious effects on the human head and psyche. Second, it will be discussed how crude peoples gain satisfaction from carry oning the act of forfeit. Furthermore, this research will travel into deepness about the transmutation into a higher being and development of a new individuality through ritualistic actions. Finally, crude society? s accent on fear-provoking, irrational behaviour in comparing to modern society? s insisting on reason will be addressed.In a crude society, intonation is designed to supply a group with benefits such as the geting of stuff ownerships, wellness, and monopoly over one? s personal fortunes or those of another individual. We will write a custom essay sample on LORD OF THE FLIES or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This ritual is performed until one feels satisfied, and/or has been led into religious contact with another kingdom. Another intent of the chant is for one to experience a powerful being emerge within one? s psyche, ensuing in a god-like esthesis for a short sum of clip. In the novel, one can comprehend that the runing party? s vigorous chant ( # 8221 ; Kill the animal! Spill her blood! # 8221 ; ) is one of their concluding degenerations into savageness. Its repetitive, inspiring poetry elates them, and when the emanation eventually ends, they behave in a trance-like, metagrobolized demeanour. They begin talking instantly in aroused tones, experiencing amazed at the effort they had accomplished. It is written that # 8220 ; the male childs chattered and danced # 8221 ; , evidently enthralled with their triumph. It would be wise to reason that the male childs have derived a sense of power through executing the chant, and they are satisfied with their newfound strength and uniformi ty. For Jack, intonation is another agency of pull stringsing others. Like one of its benefits to crude civilizations, the chant awards him ultimate control over his full group.The rite of the forfeit is a cardinal component of crude civilization. Chiefly, blood forfeit of an animate being is the usual agencies of expiation for a crude group. Other grounds behind this sacred ritual were to bow down to power, or to declare one? s worship of a God or divinity. The thoughts behind the gift forfeit, which existed in the early formation of faith, were thanksgiving and salvation. To honor their Gods and divinities, crude peoples would give the premium animate being available. Finally, necessity dictated that the crude groups consume the material portion of the forfeit, the Gods holding possessed its psyche by this clip. In chapter eight of Lord of the Flies, titled # 8220 ; Gift for the Darkness # 8221 ; , the runing party conducts a ghastly forfeit. As the reader may deduce, the rubric of this chapter makes mention to the # 8220 ; beast # 8221 ; through the analogy of the darkness. During the class of this upseting chapter, the male childs gruesomely kill a female parent hog, conserve its comestible meat for a repast, add on its bloody caput to a stick, and spit the # 8220 ; gift # 8221 ; to the Earth for the animal to accept. Jack Merridew explains these actions to his group, stating: # 8220 ; This caput is for the animal. It? s a gift. # 8221 ; Through this forfeit, the male childs declare their regard and awe of the animal? s power, and go forth it an offering in the prospect of it never tormenting them again. Jack and his savages still dread the beast, as it is told: â€Å"all at once they were running away, as fast as they could, through the forest towards the open beach†. Like a primitive society, the boys buy a god?s favor by performing a sacrifice. They choose the pig to be their sacrificial creature, which is a reasonable choice as it is the finest animal on the island. In due course the boys eat the meat of their kill, that being the primary intention of their grisly hunt.The third topic, development of a new identity through ritualistic actions, is a significant one when analyzing Jack Merridew?s preparation for the hunt. During hunting rituals in primitive societies, symbolic forms on clothing, utensils, and in some cases the human body were not merely unessential decorations. These intricate â€Å"decorations† were functional parts of the object, and contributed to the success of the hunt. Many rituals fo und in primitive religion had the objective of allowing an individual to participate in the life of a divine being, or actually â€Å"being† a god for a brief period of time. Jack?s ritualistic application of his makeup and costume combined the two theories mentioned above. The reader should note that when Jack?s colourful mask is being applied, he feels â€Å"liberated from shame and self-consciousness†, and stares at his reflection in the water as if it were an â€Å"awesome stranger†. With his new appearance, Jack has received a new, stronger, almost god-like identity. He has abandoned all of his doubts and insecurities, and exchanged them for a powerful, revered selfhood. The markings masking his face contributed to the hunt?s success by acting as a camouflage, and additionally frightened the pig. Other members of Jack?s team felt compelled by the mask to hunt, and took this event especially seriously out of fear. One key feature of primitive religion is its emphasis on the irrational world, in contrast to modern society?s accentuation of the rational environment. This is most likely attributed to the lack of boundary in the primitive civilization. There is no line of demarcation between the human mind or ego and occurrences in the surrounding world. Similarly, an absence of boundary is apparent between the spiritual and natural worlds, and between full consciousness and hallucination. In each example, the two worlds coalesce, creating an atmosphere which does not distinguish between truthful circumstance and imagination. Such an atmosphere is generally rich with the most fantastical fears as well as ecstasies. In Lord of the Flies, Jack Merridew perpetually controls his society with the use of fear. By purposely introducing â€Å"the beast†, yet knowing himself that there is no such creature, he cleverly establishes a state of fright amongst his followers. With this conniving manipulation, Jack eliminates the boys? ability to d ifferentiate between what is truth and what is fantasy. Like that of a primitive religion, the society gradually evolves into one of terrible fear and irrational behavior.As it has been demonstrated through this research, there is a plethora of similarities between elements of primitive religion and the literary content of Lord of the Flies. Chant, sacrifice, development of a new identity through ritual, and primitive society?s emphasis on irrational behavior have all been discussed and exemplified. The behaviour of the hunting party provides a graphic account of the key components of a primitive religion.