Hi all,
Your homework over half term is to complete two of the following essays in timed conditions (45 minutes):
1) What do you think is the importance of Simon in LOTF?
2) How does Golding present violence in LOTF?
3) How does Golding present Piggy as a "true, wise friend"?
4) What do you think is the importance of Jack in LOTF and how does Golding present him?
5) How does Golding make the conch so important in the novel?
6) How does Golding make Roger such a terrifying figure?
7) How does Golding use the setting of the island to impact on his reader?
8) How does Golding make the Beastie so important in the novel?
Don't forget to use the videos to help you. Any questions (or work) can be posted as comments here.
Good luck!
How does Golding use the setting of the island to impact on his reader?
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, the setting is implied to be an inadequate place for innocent boys to be associated with. However, Golding shows that the setting is a crucial conflicting factor as to how the boys develop and reveal the true savage that was always hidden within them.
At the beginning of the novel, Golding uses the setting to show the reader that the forest is troublesome:
"He was clambering heavily among the creepers and broken trunks"- on page 1.
This implies that it took great effort for the boys to pass through the obstacles that stood in their way; this is supported by the word "clambering" which suggests clumsiness due to the environment that they are surrounded in. In this case, the surroundings are clearly quite dangerous as the tree trunks are "broken". Furthermore, the reader can see that this is not an ideal place for the innocent boys to be as they could be harmed by the things around them; it foreshadows later events in the novel ("hot, bright thunder of the fire"- on page 245). Golding uses the adjective "heavily" which suggests great difficulty, therefore adding to the tiring adventure that the boys are clearly going through.
Towards the middle of the novel, Golding uses the setting to show the reader that the environment is a burden:
"The wind roared once in the forest and pushed their rags against them"- on page 151.
This shows that the wind is an added obstruction to the already dangerous habitat that the boys have grown and developed in to. The alliteration of "roared" and "rags" implies that Golding is using this to express the similarities between the two and gathers the readers attention by doing this. On the other hand, the word "roared" suggests that the wind was intense; this symbolises the boys- both are boisterous which shows the reader that perhaps the boys don't find the wind a burden, yet more of a comfort. Moreover, the wind pushes the rags against the boys bodies. This clearly demonstrates that the wind is assisting the boys; Golding shows that it is trying to keep them warm and satisfied. This contradicts the original point perfectly.
At the end of the novel, Golding uses the setting to show that it is terrifying:
"He saw a shelter burst in to flames and the fire flapped at his right shoulder"- on page 246.
The tragic events that were foreshadowed at the beginning of the book are now clearly portrayed through Golding's description of the setting. Alliteration is used again with the words "fire flapped" symbolising the deep savagery within the forest. Golding shows that the forest is dominant also, as the fire is floating and spreading to wherever it pleases and catches on to. Furthermore, it is destroying and wrecking whatever is getting in its way- it is decimating the small civilisation that the boys had adapted to and created from what they knew before they had even encountered the forest. Golding therefore displays the frightening aspects of the forest quite clearly at the ending of the novel- a rather grand finale to conclude with.
Thus, the reader finally begins to understand the deeper meaning of the forest and how it influences the actions of the characters within the novel.
Is this the right idea? Going to complete the other one tomorrow so I should do something similiar right? :)
DeleteThis is an excellent essay Rosie and should receive an A* grade in an exam situation, well done! You analyse language well and clearly link this to Golding's intentions and it is good to see the originality of your insights. To improve, it would be good to see you writing about the deeper symbolism of the island and the way it stands as a metaphor for the savage side of human nature a little more consistantly throughout the essay but, like I said, this would be a very impressive essay to put before an examiner.
Delete8) How does Golding make the Beastie so important in the novel?
ReplyDeleteThe Beastie’s very essence is that of fear. Its’ importancy is defined in the beast’s infestation on the society and its manipulative potential.
In the middle of the novel, Simon begins to understand what the beastie is:
“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us.”
This demonstrates Simon’s realization that the beast cannot be an animal or a ghost but is in fact a product of the children’s imaginations. On the same note Simon also realizes that the beast is in fact in everyone. Golding demonstrates the beastie to be the innate evil and basic nature of humans that we turn to when civilization is not present. This idea that the beastie is not an external force but rather something that lives inside them signifies its’ importance in what they eventually become. In a society without adults the children are more susceptible to their fears. A child for example claims that the “beastie came in the dark”. In a normal situation the child may find comfort by sleeping with the light on or sleeping next to their parents but the absence of this comfort allows the fear to develop and eventually become more real. Golding therefore presents the beastie as the root of the children’s evil.
Golding also demonstrates how the beastie being a mystery allows the children’s fear to develop.
I expect the beast disguised himself.”
This implies that Jack is using the children’s fear of the beastie as a way to manipulate them. Because the beast is “disguised” he poses a threat to the children. Golding presents the beast to be symbolic of what causes wars. Jack uses the beast as a form of propaganda much like a dictator pinning the cause of their problem on something physical which they can attack. In effect the beastie is a catalyst for savagery and almost the children’s motive.
Later in the novel, when Simon talks to the beastie his influence is asserted:
“ Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!“
This shows a confirmation in what Simon believed. The head represents Simon’s own inner darkness. Just as Christ was tempted by the Devil on a mountaintop, Simon has come face to face with his own darkness. The Lord of the Flies asserts what Simon has always known; the beast lies within each one of the boys. Simon understands the full immensity of the "darkness in man's heart". Knowing full well what the boys are capable of, Simon attempts to save them. None the less, This is the fall of man. Golding therefore uses the beastie as symbolism for the devil (Hebrew name for satan, Beelzebub translates to Lord of the Flies). Taking into account religious books Satan is a master deceiver ("I’m the reason why things are what they are.," said the Lord of the Flies.”). In summary the beastie’s passage is a upfront way of saying that the children or the “flies” have been deceived by their “lord” satan.
In conclusion the imaginary beast that all the boys fear represents the primal instincts of savagery that exists within all human beings. The boys are afraid of the beast, but only Simon reaches the realization that they fear the beast because it exists within each of them. As the boys grow more savage, their belief in the beast grows stronger. By the end of the novel, the boys are leaving it sacrifices and treating it as a totemic god. The boys’ behavior is what brings the beast into existence, so the more savagely the boys act, the more real the beast seems to become.
This is a stunningly good essay Damian, well done. This would receive an A* because you focus on the question throughout, write with flair and enthusaism regarding the deeper symbolic meanings of the text and analyse the language in detail. Your middle paragraph is a little brief but that is fine in the circumstances as you have compensated elsewhere. Great job! Everyboy else, read this essay!!!
DeleteTarget: It would be nice to see some analysis of structure
How does Golding make the conch so important in the novel?
ReplyDeleteGolding makes the conch important by using it to show the development of civilisation throughout the novel. From the point when the conch is found, to when it is destroyed, shows how savagery is taking a stronger toll over the boys.
At the beginning of the novel, Golding describes the conch as if it were special:
"Him with the shell. Ralph! Ralph! Let him be chief with the trumpet-thing" on page 30.
This implies that the shell has a top figure and is something that the boys recognise as a role of authority and superity. The repetition of "him" shows the insistenece of the need for civilisation; Golding displays the boys like this to show the real innocence of them. The repetition of the exclamation mark ("!"), furthermore indicates the demand for a society with rules and punishments ("Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks 'em----"- on page 44). It helps to set a calm, tranquil and harmonic environment. However, as the reader is soon to find out- it creates quite the opposite.
Towards the middle of the book, Golding shows that anarchy is starting to break out:
"I haven't finished yet. But you've talked and talked! I've got the conch. Jack sat down, grumbling" on page 102.
This implies that the conch is starting to lose its role of priority; they are starting to really displace their awe and feelings for the shell. The fact that Golding shows Jack to be "grumbling" portrays the impatience he has for the shell and is starting to become intolerant of it; it foreshadows later reprecussions that are to come in the novel. "I've got the conch" still shows that Ralph has some power left, but only just. Jack hates the shell as it controls who gets to speak; he wants to get rid of it. On the other hand, the reader can see that Jack has a reason to be angry about the rules of the conch. The conch controls who gets to speak, yet not for how long they get to speak for. As much as they want to be adults, the boys are still children who want to have their opinion said- Jack in this sense is a victim as he barely gets to speak due to Ralph being chief and having charge of the conch.
At the end of the novel, Golding shows that the conch is meaningless and is no longer significant:
"The conch exploded in to a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist" on page 222.
This shows that the conch has been destroyed and civilisation ceases to "exist". The fact that the conch is gone implies that chaos is going to occur as the object that puts rules in place no longer survives. It symbolises that savagery is taking over and in general the brutal strength of it; something that created civilisation has been decimated by the means of savagery, so what hope is there for the boys to not run riot and havoc? Moreover, the word "exploded" displays the further destruction of the conch. "Thousands of pieces" suggests that it can never be fixed; brutality has outgrown states of order- there is no room for refinement and no such use for the conch anymore.
Concludingly, the reader understands that the conch played a massive role within the novel and was the main reason for civilisation. The conch may have been destroyed, but Golding doesn't make it any less significant.
Another great A* quality essay, well done! Your quotations are really well chosen and your writing has come on immensely.
DeleteTarget: Remember the characters are not real- it would be nice to see you explain explicitly how the reader would respond to them a little more.
How does Golding make the conch so important in the novel?
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel Golding uses the conch to symbolize civilization on the island, as the conch is set to symbolize civilization it also represents that amount of civilization present among the characters due to the way the Ralph and others treat the conch.
At the start of the novel the conch shows the sincere, civilized personalities of the boys first of when they first crashed on the island.
“Careful! You’ll break it- shut up...a conch; ever so expensive. I bet if you wanted to buy one, you’d have to pay pounds and pounds and pounds”
This implies to the reader that at the start of the novel the children on the island were once innocent therefore showing how other things and people have changed the people they once were and in this case it is the conch which has shown this. Golding uses the repetition of “pounds” to display the exaggeration kids tend to have when things bewilder them, showing utter innocence as they see a shell things as the most expensive thing in the eyes which also shows them to be so naive. Therefore the reason being why the boys seem to be so “Careful” with the conch, they give the conch their undivided attention. In addition Golding shows the conch to trigger the natural child inquisition all children possess as the boys begin to wonder the price and worth of the conch.
In the first instance at the start of the novel the conch is shown as important due to the fact the boys automatically grant Ralph respect:
“Him with the shell...Ralph! Ralph!... Let him be chief with the trumpet-thing. Ralph raised a hand for silence.”
This implies to the reader that the conch is the main reason as to why the boys elected Ralph to become chief; a connection between importance and the conch was automatically made by the boys. Golding uses the conch to symbolize democracy as the sound of the conch started off the whole deliberation as to whether Jack or Ralph should be the chief. In this case the conch acted as the difference as to whether Ralph would become chief or not. This is anchored by one of the boys exclaiming “Let him be the chief with the trumpet-thing”- he being Ralph which further shows that the conch gives Ralph an advantage against Ralph therefore showing its importance. In addition Golding uses exclamation marks to show how enthusiastic but desperate they were for Ralph to become chief: similarly to people chanting for someone they like, repeating a name over and over again. However the conch may not entirely play the main role as due to children being children the only reason as to why they want Ralph is because he simply has something jack does not. The fact that one boy says “Him with the shell” implies he totally ignores Ralph but is simply drawn to the conch.
How Golding makes the conch important part two
ReplyDeleteLater in the novel the conch shows how the boys have lost that innocence they once possessed at the start of the novel but now they are savages.
“Hands were reaching for the conch in the light of the setting sun. He held on and leapt on the trunk.”
This implies to the reader the wild manner in which the boys reached for the conch as if it was no longer that precious shell they found in the lagoon but just a tool for power and dominance. Golding has mentioned the fact that Ralph “leapt” for the conch shows how he himself- the martyr of civilization has been overcome by savagery. As earlier in the novel Ralph was “careful” with the conch indicating how exquisite and mind blowing he thought the conch to be. So surely if he thought the same about this conch, he would not attack the conch similar to predators feast on cheap, raw pieces of meat. Golding has made the conch an important factor in the novel as the way Ralph's behavior has changed towards the conch between the start of the novel and to the end of story shows the reader the transition of Ralph as a character. On the other hand, the fact that Ralph “leapt” for the conch may be Golding’s way of Ralph trying to hold on to a lost cause. He is trying to hold on the last remaining connection to civilization so in Ralph's head it may help the other boys overcome their savage instincts. Ultimately he “leapt” to the defense of civilization.
In conclusion Golding has shown the conch to be important throughout the novel due to the way it has influenced the behavior of many key characters, also the decisions which have been influence by the conch.
How does Golding present violence in Lord of the flies?
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel Golding presents violence on the island not only in physical forms but mentally through the characters but also the way the setting of the island has transitioned; the change being from civilization to savagery. Golding shows that violence comes in many forms
In the first instance Golding presents violence through the description of the weather
“A tree exploded in the fire like a bomb. Tall swathes of creepers rose for a moment into view, agonized and went down again... Beneath them, on the unfriendly side of the mountain the drum-roll continued.”
This implies to the reader that not only has Golding demonstrated violence in the customary way but through the actions of the weather to mirror the violence that takes place on the island. When Golding states the “tree exploded in the fire like a bomb” foreshadows the boys in a way almost in the sense that they are like ticking time bombs waiting to detonate and when they do it will be devastating. In a sense Golding almost uses Pathetic fallacy to emulate the future actions of the boys to the weather earlier in the novel. In addition the normally peaceful actions of a tree which is normally at times just simply swaying but here it takes a more active.
Later in the novel Golding presents violence during the satanic chanting of the hunters.
“Kill the beast... Cut his throat! Spill his blood!”
This implies to the reader that the violence has been engulfed deeply by the boys as the chanting provokes the sense that this is being done at a monotonous and monotone tone; this in its self implies the boys are doing without any passion inside of them hinting that they feel obliged to say such violent repeatedly. Golding uses tripling to bring the idea that violence is present as even though they are at the moment not killing the pig they have and will continue to this based on the chants “Kill the beast”, “Cut his throat!” and “Spill his blood! Conversely the fact that they are chanting may show that violence is not truly within them as the fact that they chant is a tool for remembering what they’re doing. It is almost as if this has been conditioned for them by the environment.
Lastly Golding presents violence near the end of the novel through human form, the human in question being roger.
“Roger with a sense of delirious abandonment leaned all his weight on the lever...the rock struck piggy a glancing blow from chine to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.”
This implies to the reader that Roger’s final blow to piggy is the epitomes of: evil, violence and everything bad on the island. Golding finally shows the evil that has been present on the island through the single devastating action of Roger. The fact that Roger had “a sense of delirious abandonment” shows he felt the violence he was about to unleash on Piggy was simply a joke, a little bit of fun shows the full brunt of Rogers brutality; which is truly violence in human form. Golding has therefore presented violence through Roger’s lack of remorse which is similar to when “Roger lead the way straight through the castle” without having any sadness for Henry whilst doing it. However in retrospect this violence could simply Golding symbolizing an uncontrollable rage locked up inside of us, and in this case Roger has let it out, not because he wanted to do but it was a subconscious desire therefore highlighting the point that Roger’s actions may not entirely represent violence but something locked up inside of man.
In conclusion Golding presented violence in many different forms not only the normal physical. The way in which Golding presents violence on the island also has shown the consequences of the transition of the boys from civilized to savages.
1) What do you think is the importance of Simon in LOTF?
ReplyDeleteIn Golding's novel LOTF, Simon is a very passive charcter he is of great importance both spiritually and physically as we see throughout the novel.
Simon in Lord of The Flies has a great biblical reference and is the Jesus in Nazereth a place full of lost savage boys:
"passed them back down to the endless outstretched hands"
This implies that Simon has a natural loving character about him, very different from a savage rather than being selfish he shares similarily to Jesus who fed the 5000. In the famous bible story Jesus had 5000 hands outstretched towards him for bread and fish, just like Simon has here with the "littluns", which is very common throughout the novel " he squatted down, parted the leaves and looked out into the clearing" likewise when Jesus parted the Red Sea for the safety of his followers and to protect the people of Egypt. Moreover Golding's choice of words with double "ss" creates a soft illusion for the reader, diverting them from the actual darkness of the Island; it comforts the reader, as they forget the boys are stranded but are now safe and in a blanket security where they are fed and looked after.
Golding presents Simon as a important charcater as he is a bundle of knowledge, he knows the unknown and all the things the boys are oblivious to:
"What if? The beast is in us all?"
This suggests that Simon spiritually is more mature than the other boys, he seems to understand that there are some things which are innate in human beings that we fear; as we grow older it is no longer the boogie man which is the beast which we should fear but the reflection of ourselves in the mirror. Golding's use of "?" suggests that Simon questions himself and that hje himself truly doesn't fully believe the beast is within us. Furthermore Golding's choice of words have a much more symbolic religious connection; as Christians believe we are all born from sin as children of Satan, therefore we are all born with evil within us hence why the beast is such a fearful addition to our personalities for if we do not get rid of it, it will cause havoc in our lives.
Near the end of the novel Simon's death opens a whole new realm within Lord of The Flies Simon's death truly represents the chasm between civilisation and savagery and even though he may have left physically spiritually he was very much still in the chapters to come:
"The line of his cheek silvered and the turn of his shoulder became sculptured marble"
Golding's description of Simon's lifeless body insinuates how important Simon truly is, as he is a described as a statue made of marble and silver, two elements which are extremely valuable.However on the other hand Jack and his followers do not seem to be bothered about the death of Simon implying to the reader that he isn't really that important at all, his passive quiet nature and the knowledge which he wanted to shared once he discovered alone is the reason why he died.Nonetheless after his death everything began to go wrong and the ravine between civilisation and savagery had grown and now the difference was visible, a battle had begun; between the civil conscience of a man's heart and the careless excuses to disguise death.
Overall,despite Simon's acquiescent persona he is a very important charcter in Golding's novel, his knowledge of the beast and discovery causes the many pivotal moments within Lord of The Flies.
Golding makes the conch important in the novel as it represents and controls savagery and civilisation in the novel and it is the first object the boys use on the island to create civilisation It also unites the boys and brings them close.
ReplyDelete'who ever holds the conch may speak'
The fact that the boys relied on the conch for freedom of speech shows the big role the conch plays on the boys being civilised and acting in an orderly manner ad it also shows that the conch represents freedom of speech and it gives all the boys chance to have a say on how the island is run.
Savagery becomes in power as the conch loses its value and meaning a the boys lose hope of being rescued which brings problems as the boys divide as there is no use for the conch anymore to bring civilisation.
The conch also represents the break of civilisation
'the rock struck piggy a glancing blow from chin to knew and the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to Exist' the fact the conch 'ceased to exist' shows how civilisation
WAs destroyed after the conch was gone showing the controlle the conch had on how things was ran on the island. And the breaking of the conch shows the breaking unity and civilisations.
8) How does Golding make the Beastie so important in the novel?
ReplyDeleteThe Beastie is expectionally inmportant in the novel LOFT, in the novel the age of the Beastie and what the Beastie is the very thing which seperates civilisation from savagery and the foundation of the novel.
The Beastie during the novel happens to be the cause of antagonism between everyone and the source of disagreement:
"But I tell you there isn't a beast. The assembly was silent."
This implies that Ralph understands that the beast is the main source of argument and the only way to end the disagreements is to disregard the beast, however the lack of argument could disagree but as they know his status they show their disagreement passively by silence. Ralph tries to enforce a decomocracy with rules like a "normal civilised society" however with talk of the beast it is clear to the reader that all hopes of a society are out of the window as Golding uses the imperative "tell" showing the Ralph is forcing it upon the boys to believe the beast is non existent like a dictatorship. Similarily, Simon who dicovered the beast, his death to was the core of many of the arguments after the boys had accepted that the Beast existed, therefore showing the reader that the Beastie is the reason for many of the arguments throughout the novel.(Here is meant to be a integrated quote where Ralph says its all the Beastie's fault I can't find it)
Moreover the Beastie is even more important as it symbolises to the reader the darkness in man's heart:
ReplyDelete"I'm part of you. Close, close,close!"
This implies that there is no escape from the beastie as Golding repeats the word "close", infact there is no escape from the Beastie as it is inherent it is "part of you",rooted deep within your soul there is no parting from it.However it also implies that although the beastie is evil and inate it can be controlled meaning within every good person like Simon the beastie exists its whether or not you or your environment feed it and allow it to grow and consume you "Ralph wept for the end of innocence,the darkness of man's heart" meaning every heart has a spot of darkness hidden deep within every beat.
Golding makes the Beastie important the Beastie important as it essentially the cause of Simon's death:
"The beat was harmless and horrible;and the news must reach the others as soon as possible"
This suggests a sense of irony to the reader that the beast is actually "harmless", with the visible oxymoron as Golding follows "harmless" with the words "horrible" a common connotation of death foreshadowing the unfortunate death of Simon. Nonetheless "reach the others" implies the discovery of the beast set things in motion, similar to a domino effect, once Simon discovered the beast so would the others and the very cause of all the hostility amongst the group would no longer be apparent."others" implies that there are so many people in the unknown, but Simon eagerness to tell the boys is the reason for his death, if Simon allowed others to discover the beast within them like himself then possibly he would not have died. Furthermore Golding presents the beast as "harmless" likewise with the beasts most human beings created when they were younger. Children cannot verbalise theire inner fears so they create beasts, however as we grow older and can verbalise our inner fears we begin to realise we must face our demons in order to defeat them, if not they with manifest and take us over and cause us to become savages as we can see in Golding's novel LOFT.
In summary, Golding makes the Beastie extremely important in the Lord of The Flies. The Beastie represents the foundation of the seperation between the boys. Not only this but Golding paints the picture that the Beastie is the innate evil that we all have, as we are all born of sin. Nonetheless most importantly the discovery of the Beastie could be considered to be the primary prompt Simon's demise.