| What is it that Samneric fear about the savages’ warpaint? | They understand that the painted faces allow the savages to do things Jack and the hunters would not ordinarily do: “the liberation into savagery that the concealing paint brought. ” (Pg. 172) |
| What does Piggy’s speech reveal about his lack of understanding of life on the island? | Piggy believes Jack will respond to logical argument, persuasion, and do what is right and return the glasses. |
| Why does Ralph refuse to paint their faces? | He refuses “because we aren’t savages. ” (Pg. 172) |
| Trace the progression of Roger’s savagery in this chapter. | He begins by throwing a stone at Samneric but aims to miss. With this act, “some source of power began to pulse in Rogers body. ” (Pg. 175) He then throws rocks at Piggy and Ralph. In an instant he purposely dislodges the large rock that kills Piggy and, finally, he throws a spear at Ralph. |
| Describe the changes in the depiction of the conch. How is Piggy portrayed at the moment of his death? | The conch begins as the continued symbol of authority, then has one of Piggy’s tears on it; it then is reverentially handled and carried carefully. At Castlerock it is white and magical, a “talisman, the fragile, shining beauty.” Shattered by the rock, it “exploded into 1000 white fragments and ceased to exist.” (Pgs. 168-18) Piggy is compared to his alter ego, the pig: “Piggy’s arms and legs twitched a bit like a pig’s after it has been killed. ” (Pg 18) |
| What dichotomy does Piggy point out to the hunters? | he asks which is better; savagery, hunting and killing, or sensibility, stability, and rescue. |
| The last sentence states: “Roger advanced upon them [Samneric] as one wielding anameless authority.” What is the “nameless authority” that clings to Roger? | He is the tribal executioner and he relishes his job. Additionally, he has “only just” missed pushing Jack, which indicates a potential future power struggle, were they to remain in the island much longer. |
| How does the tribe respond to Piggy’s death? | Piggy dies when the dislodged rock knocks him over the side of the cliff. Rather than feeling guilty about Piggy’s death, it seems to make the savages even more bloodthirsty. |
Lord of the Flies – Ch. 11: Castle Rock
February 10, 2020