Think you have a better idea of how to end Lord of the Flies than William Golding?
Leave a comment with your alternate ending or an epilogue (a brief description of what happens to the characters after the ending of the book--you can imagine them right after they get back to "civilization" or years later... up to you!).
Have fun!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The Bystander Effect
Here is an article about the man who was pushed onto the Q train tracks earlier this week, which I mentioned yesterday in class: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/nyregion/police-arrest-naeem-davis-in-subway-death.html?ref=nyregion
For me, this brought up questions about the diffusion of responsibility: why didn't anyone help him? What does that say about human nature?
I think there are also some connections to Lord of the Flies, especially relating to the fact that no one really wanted to take responsibility for Simon's death. Even if Ralph and Piggy weren't actively involved in his murder (though this is arguable), why didn't they try to help him?
What causes us to freeze up in these moments, rather than help our fellow citizens? If you have comments, please post them!
For me, this brought up questions about the diffusion of responsibility: why didn't anyone help him? What does that say about human nature?
I think there are also some connections to Lord of the Flies, especially relating to the fact that no one really wanted to take responsibility for Simon's death. Even if Ralph and Piggy weren't actively involved in his murder (though this is arguable), why didn't they try to help him?
What causes us to freeze up in these moments, rather than help our fellow citizens? If you have comments, please post them!
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Lord of the Flies Chapter 11 Notes
Chapter 11
Key Characters
Ralph: Faced with the fact that they no longer have Piggy's specs to start a fire, Ralph furiously tries to rekindle flames from the fire the allowed to die out the night before but fails. Piggy encourages Ralph to call a meeting (with the only kids they have left), at which Ralph expresses his frustration: Jack didn't need to steal anything, they would have shared the fire. Ralph continues to lose his train of thought frequently, which Sam and Eric notice. Ralph, however, remembers Simon's assertion that he'll "get back all right," and regains some hope. He ultimately agrees to accompany Piggy to Castle Rock to meet with Jack. There, he gets into a fight with Jack and tries to make a final point about getting rescued to get the boys back on his side, but is met by silence. The futility of trying to reason with Jack's tribe is confirmed when they capture Sam and Eric and kill Piggy. The chapter ends with Ralph fleeing for his life.
Piggy: With no other option besides blindness, Piggy suggests the boys go to Castle Rock with the conch to reason with Jack. Piggy realizes he isn't as strong as Jack but hopes he can show him the difference between right and wrong. Piggy is passionate about doing this "against all odds." When they reach Castle Rock, Piggy is allowed one final speech in which he makes another plea for reason. Roger answers by heaving an enormous boulder at Piggy. Piggy is knocked off the narrow strip of rock and falls 40 feet to his death. He is killed instantly and swept out to sea by the waves.
Roger: recalling an earlier scene, Roger begins throwing rocks again, at first "aiming to miss" though he feels a dark "source of power" (most likely our violent nature, "the beast") begin to "pulse" in him. He eventually heaves a huge boulder off the top of Castle Rock (100 feet up), which kills Piggy. No longer are the rules of society holding Roger back! In fact, he almost shoves Jack as he walks by him and the narrator confirms that he has a "nameless authority," which likely refers to his willingness to submit to his own "inner beast."
Jack: He shows up at Castle Rock on the same level as Ralph since he was out hunting. They get into a physical fight but it breaks momentarily as Piggy reminds Ralph why they are there (to remind Jack about the importance of the rescue fire and "playing fair"). Once Ralph finishes his speech, Jack orders Sam and Eric to be captured and tied up, leaving Ralph completely on his own.
Key Things and Moments
The Conch: Piggy would like to believe that the conch, with its symbolism of rational society and democracy, still has power. It does afford Piggy the authority for one last speech, but it is shattered by the boulder that kills him. This is, of course, very bad symbolic news. The conch and the civilized society it represents is gone forever. The outlook for Ralph looks bleak.
Castle Rock/The setting: understanding this chapter relies heavily on understanding how the setting is, well, set up. The full description is on p105-106.
Castle rock is a rock formation about 100 feet tall. To get to it, you need to cross a narrow strip of rock that extends into the ocean, and is beaten by the water on both sides (though on one side, when the waves recede, another large flat rock is revealed, which is where Piggy falls). This narrow strip is about 40 feet in the air and is where Piggy, Ralph, Sam, and Eric are standing in this scene.
To get to the top of the 100 foot formation, it is better to edge around it to the other side, where there is a steep incline that is easier to climb than the face of the cliff. At the very top are lots if large boulders that could be pushed off the cliff onto "intruders" below. This is where Roger and some of the other boys are standing.
Away from Castle Rock and on the "island side" of the narrow strip is a grassy area where Jack and his hunters show up after Ralph and the others have crossed onto the strip.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Lord of the Flies Chapter 10 Notes
Chapter 10
Key Characters:
Ralph: Aware of and willing to acknowledge the fact that they murdered Simon, Ralph turns to Piggy to talk it all through. However, Piggy is not so willing to be self-reflective and take responsibility. Ralph ends up going along with this line of thinking. In fact, when Piggy lies to Sam and Eric, saying they "left early," Ralph remains surprisingly silent. In fact, Ralph really does seem to be losing hope and direction. He has more trouble with his memory, specifically relating to why they even need a fire (so they can get rescued) and also caves in and lets the fire go out over night. Ralph also appears to be suffering from more intense nightmares. In a darkly comic twist, when Jack, Maurice, and Roger attack the shelter, Ralph ends up mistakenly fighting with Eric. This highlights just how out-of-control the situation has gotten and how Ralph has lost his way.
Piggy: Ever the logical thinker, Piggy insists that Simon's death was an "accident." Piggy is unwilling to face the truth of the murder and the feelings of guilt, shame, and horror that would go along with it. This is one of the few times that Piggy is painted as a rather unsympathetic character. Usually, his logic fits right in and seems to be the best perspective. Here, it appears callous, especially given how much Simon did to help Piggy over the course of the novel. The chapter ends with Piggy in a dire situation: Jack, Maurice, and Roger steal his glasses leaving him essentially blind.
Sam and Eric: The twins, like Piggy, refuse to acknowledge their participation in Simon's death and simply pretend that they were so "tired" that they left early. From their cuts and bruises, however, as well as their general awkwardness, it is safe to infer that they were, in fact, participants in the murder.
Jack: Jack, now secure in his new authority has a random boy beaten for "angering" him. It was not made clear to the other boys why Wilfred was punished, but it really doesn't matter. Jack wants to make sure that everyone is clear on who's boss, and that means random punishments. With regard to the beast, Jack insists that it was not killed and that it had come "disguised." This notion that the beast had come in disguise seems to confirm that Jack and the others knew that it was Simon, or at least in the "form" of Simon. Jack and the boys plan to steal the fire from Ralph's camp that evening.
Key Moments and Things
The Raid: A moment of DRAMATIC IRONY (when we know more than the characters do) occurs when Jack, Maurice, and Roger are about to attack Ralph's shelter. Ralph and the other boys don't have any idea that Jack had planned to attack them, so they think it is the beast. The readers know better. The attack itself is wild, confused, and violent... much like all of the boys at this point in the novel. The fact that Ralph and Eric are mistakenly fighting each other seems to mirror the idea that we, as humans, are our own worst enemy. Jack is ultimately successful and steals Piggy's glasses.
Piggy's Glasses: Throughout the novel, Piggy's "specs" have been the symbol of logic and the ability to "see" the difference between right and wrong. Of course, Piggy seems to already have lost his vision with his insensitive reaction to Simon's death, but now, it appears to be official. In addition, the glasses symbolize the way off the island, given that it is the source of the rescue fires. Now that Piggy's glasses are in Jack's hands, the possibility of rescue seems more and more remote.
Key Characters:
Ralph: Aware of and willing to acknowledge the fact that they murdered Simon, Ralph turns to Piggy to talk it all through. However, Piggy is not so willing to be self-reflective and take responsibility. Ralph ends up going along with this line of thinking. In fact, when Piggy lies to Sam and Eric, saying they "left early," Ralph remains surprisingly silent. In fact, Ralph really does seem to be losing hope and direction. He has more trouble with his memory, specifically relating to why they even need a fire (so they can get rescued) and also caves in and lets the fire go out over night. Ralph also appears to be suffering from more intense nightmares. In a darkly comic twist, when Jack, Maurice, and Roger attack the shelter, Ralph ends up mistakenly fighting with Eric. This highlights just how out-of-control the situation has gotten and how Ralph has lost his way.
Piggy: Ever the logical thinker, Piggy insists that Simon's death was an "accident." Piggy is unwilling to face the truth of the murder and the feelings of guilt, shame, and horror that would go along with it. This is one of the few times that Piggy is painted as a rather unsympathetic character. Usually, his logic fits right in and seems to be the best perspective. Here, it appears callous, especially given how much Simon did to help Piggy over the course of the novel. The chapter ends with Piggy in a dire situation: Jack, Maurice, and Roger steal his glasses leaving him essentially blind.
Sam and Eric: The twins, like Piggy, refuse to acknowledge their participation in Simon's death and simply pretend that they were so "tired" that they left early. From their cuts and bruises, however, as well as their general awkwardness, it is safe to infer that they were, in fact, participants in the murder.
Jack: Jack, now secure in his new authority has a random boy beaten for "angering" him. It was not made clear to the other boys why Wilfred was punished, but it really doesn't matter. Jack wants to make sure that everyone is clear on who's boss, and that means random punishments. With regard to the beast, Jack insists that it was not killed and that it had come "disguised." This notion that the beast had come in disguise seems to confirm that Jack and the others knew that it was Simon, or at least in the "form" of Simon. Jack and the boys plan to steal the fire from Ralph's camp that evening.
Key Moments and Things
The Raid: A moment of DRAMATIC IRONY (when we know more than the characters do) occurs when Jack, Maurice, and Roger are about to attack Ralph's shelter. Ralph and the other boys don't have any idea that Jack had planned to attack them, so they think it is the beast. The readers know better. The attack itself is wild, confused, and violent... much like all of the boys at this point in the novel. The fact that Ralph and Eric are mistakenly fighting each other seems to mirror the idea that we, as humans, are our own worst enemy. Jack is ultimately successful and steals Piggy's glasses.
Piggy's Glasses: Throughout the novel, Piggy's "specs" have been the symbol of logic and the ability to "see" the difference between right and wrong. Of course, Piggy seems to already have lost his vision with his insensitive reaction to Simon's death, but now, it appears to be official. In addition, the glasses symbolize the way off the island, given that it is the source of the rescue fires. Now that Piggy's glasses are in Jack's hands, the possibility of rescue seems more and more remote.
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Lord of the Flies Chapter 9 Notes
Chapter 9
Key Characters:
Simon: After his conversation with the Lord of the Flies and his fainting fit, Simon wakes up with a bloody nose in the mat of creepers where he was hiding. He decides to ignore what the LOTF told him (to not try to reveal the true nature of the "beast," covered in the notes on Chapter 8) and continue on with his earlier quest to go to the mountain and check out the "beast" in daylight. He ultimately discovers that the beast was simply the rotting corpse of the pilot that ejected from his plane back in Chapter 6. Simon immediately realizes that he needs to tell the other boys this news. However, by the time he reaches them, they have already been worked into a blood-thirsty frenzy. Simon is mistaken for the beast and is brutally murdered.
Ralph: Ralph realizes that basically all the biguns besides Piggy, and the twins, Sam and Eric have left him to join Jack's tribe. He insists "I don't care," but this seems unlikely (148). He ultimately decides to attend Jack's party/feast. At the party, Ralph realizes that he has lost his authority as chief to Jack. He almost gets it back by reminding the boys of the shelters, but Jack steps in with his "Kill the Pig Dance" and gets the rest of the kids back on his side. Though Ralph and Piggy had planned on leaving, they both end up staying for the dance and participating in the murder of Simon. The narrator mentioned that both boys wanted to "take a place in this demented but partially secure society," (153). So, even though they realize what they are doing is wrong, they take comfort in being part of the crowd.
Piggy: Piggy shows some character development when he fights back against Ralph's teasing on page 147. Piggy is no longer the "meek" character he was at the beginning of the novel. Also keep in mind that it was Piggy's idea to go to Jack's party and Ralph followed Piggy's lead on that decision.
Jack: Jack has truly fashioned himself as THE chief. He has his little minions bring him food and water and is seated on a "throne." In this chapter, Jack has officially taken over as the leader.
Key Things & Moments:
Simon's Death: With all the boys caught up in their savage dance, Simon unfortunately becomes the victim. He is truly painted as a martyr and Golding even characterizes him as somewhat angelic, given the way that his dead body is carried out to sea surrounded by the bright phosphorescent creatures (plankton). Simon's place as the only "good soul" on the island seems to be solidified by this final image of him that Golding leaves us with.
The Dance: After building up to this moment over the course of the novel (with each dance scene increasing in intensity), the hunters' dance finally gets out of control. The boys have truly turned "savage," unable to see the difference between Simon and "the beast." It appears that the boys actually do, on some level, understand what they are doing. Simon, though he is covering his face, certainly looks like a human figure, and even tries to speak to the boys. Unfortunately, it is too late. They are in such a frenzy that no one actually stops to think about the situation at hand.
The Storm: Thunder and stormy weather often serve to foreshadow conflict. In this case, the storm peaked at the moment of Simon's death. Golding employed the storm to mirror the savagery, blood lust, and violence of the boys, which finally exploded into reality.
Key Characters:
Simon: After his conversation with the Lord of the Flies and his fainting fit, Simon wakes up with a bloody nose in the mat of creepers where he was hiding. He decides to ignore what the LOTF told him (to not try to reveal the true nature of the "beast," covered in the notes on Chapter 8) and continue on with his earlier quest to go to the mountain and check out the "beast" in daylight. He ultimately discovers that the beast was simply the rotting corpse of the pilot that ejected from his plane back in Chapter 6. Simon immediately realizes that he needs to tell the other boys this news. However, by the time he reaches them, they have already been worked into a blood-thirsty frenzy. Simon is mistaken for the beast and is brutally murdered.
Ralph: Ralph realizes that basically all the biguns besides Piggy, and the twins, Sam and Eric have left him to join Jack's tribe. He insists "I don't care," but this seems unlikely (148). He ultimately decides to attend Jack's party/feast. At the party, Ralph realizes that he has lost his authority as chief to Jack. He almost gets it back by reminding the boys of the shelters, but Jack steps in with his "Kill the Pig Dance" and gets the rest of the kids back on his side. Though Ralph and Piggy had planned on leaving, they both end up staying for the dance and participating in the murder of Simon. The narrator mentioned that both boys wanted to "take a place in this demented but partially secure society," (153). So, even though they realize what they are doing is wrong, they take comfort in being part of the crowd.
Piggy: Piggy shows some character development when he fights back against Ralph's teasing on page 147. Piggy is no longer the "meek" character he was at the beginning of the novel. Also keep in mind that it was Piggy's idea to go to Jack's party and Ralph followed Piggy's lead on that decision.
Jack: Jack has truly fashioned himself as THE chief. He has his little minions bring him food and water and is seated on a "throne." In this chapter, Jack has officially taken over as the leader.
Key Things & Moments:
Simon's Death: With all the boys caught up in their savage dance, Simon unfortunately becomes the victim. He is truly painted as a martyr and Golding even characterizes him as somewhat angelic, given the way that his dead body is carried out to sea surrounded by the bright phosphorescent creatures (plankton). Simon's place as the only "good soul" on the island seems to be solidified by this final image of him that Golding leaves us with.
The Dance: After building up to this moment over the course of the novel (with each dance scene increasing in intensity), the hunters' dance finally gets out of control. The boys have truly turned "savage," unable to see the difference between Simon and "the beast." It appears that the boys actually do, on some level, understand what they are doing. Simon, though he is covering his face, certainly looks like a human figure, and even tries to speak to the boys. Unfortunately, it is too late. They are in such a frenzy that no one actually stops to think about the situation at hand.
The Storm: Thunder and stormy weather often serve to foreshadow conflict. In this case, the storm peaked at the moment of Simon's death. Golding employed the storm to mirror the savagery, blood lust, and violence of the boys, which finally exploded into reality.
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