| “We’ll get food,” cried Jack. “Hunt. Catch things… until they fetch us” (Golding, 30). | theme of survival, basic needs such as food and protection |
| “You should stick a pig,” said Ralph fiercely. “They always talk about sticking a pig.” “You cut a pig’s throat to let the blood out,” said Jack, “otherwise you can’t eat the meat” (Golding, 31). | young boy has to kill an animal for food |
| “We’re on an island. We’ve been on the mountaintop and seen water all round. We saw no houses, no smoke, no footprints, no boats, no people. We’re on an uninhabited island with no other people on it” (Golding, 32). | stating that these young, naive boys are entirely alone on an island |
| “So we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make fire” (Golding, 38). | the young boys already from the beginning have ideas of getting found so they can return home |
| “Jack stood there, streaming with sweat, streaked with brown earth, stained by all the vicissitudes of a day’s hunting” (Golding, 49). | starting to realize the hardships of having to provide for yourself |
| “Jack took up a coconut shell that brimmed with fresh water from among a group that was arranged in the shade, and drank ” (Golding, 50). | they are deserted with nothing not even a cup to drink from |
| “then we’d be, you know, very solemn, and someone would say we ought to build a jet, or a submarine, or a tv set. When the meeting was over they’d work for five minutes, then wander off or go hunting ” (Golding, 51). | the naive boys have a big imagination because they suggest ideas such as building a jet or a submarine which can not be done. They also can not work for more than five minutes |
| “they were used now to stomachaches and a sort of chronic diarrhea” (Golding, 59). | they have to deal with pain because there isnt any type of medicine |
| “they suffered untold terrors in the dark and huddled together for comfort ” (Golding, 58). | young boys with no sense of protection |
| “we chose those rocks right along beyond the bathing pool as a lavatory” (Golding, 80). | their bathroom is now rocks beyond the bathing pool |
| “at home there was always a grown up” (Golding, 94). | all the young boys yearn for a grown up to look up to |
| “He would like to have a pair of scissors and cut this hair- he flung the mass back- cut this filthy hair right back to half an inch. He would like to have a bath, a proper wallow with soap. He passed his tongue experimentally over his teeth and decided that a toothbrush would come in handy too. Then there were his nails- ” (Golding, 109) | thinks about all the things he wants but cant have because they are stranded on an island. these things consist of scissors to cut his hair, soap to bathe in, and a toothbrush to brush his teeth. |
| “Clothes, worn away, stiff like his own with sweat, put on, not for decorum or comfort but out of custom; the skin of the body, scurfy with brine-” (Golding, 110). | they have to wear the same clothes they were stranded in that have now become worn away and sweaty. |
| “you could go indoors when you were cold and look out of the window, past the bright copper kettle and the plate with the little blue men” (Golding, 112). | they have no shelter like their home. They can’t go inside when its cold. |
| “when you went to bed there was a bowl of cornflakes with sugar and cream” (Golding,112). | they are killing animals to survive while when they were home there was a bowl of cornflakes with sugar and cream waiting for them before bed. |
| “He opened his eyes quickly and there was the head grinning amusedly in the strange daylight, ignoring the flies, the spilled guts, even ignoring the indignity of being spiked on a stick” (Golding,137). | … |
| “I dunno, Ralph. We just got to go on, thats all. Thats what grownups would do” (Golding, 139). | the naive boys have to think like a grown up to survive |
| “the fire’s the most important thing. Without the fire we can’t be rescued. I’d like to put on war-paint and be a savage. But we must keep the fire burning. The fire’s the most important thing on the island” (Golding,142) | the idea that if the fire is burning they will be rescued |
| “the water bounded from the mountaintop, tore leaves and branches from the trees, poured like a cold shower over the struggling heap on the sand” (Golding, 153). | homes also protect from storms while they are cold and wet from the rain. |
| “we ought to draw a map, said ralph, only we haven’t any paper” (Golding,27). | knowing the area for survival but do not have paper to do so |
| “supposing they could be transported by jet, then before morning they would land at that big airfield in Wiltshire. They would go by car; no, for things to be perfect they would go by train; all the way down to Devon and take that cottage again” (Golding,164). | the naive boys imagine that if they were able to build a jet they would be home before morning |
| “Look at that! Call that a signal fire? That’s a cooking fire. Now you’ll eat and there’ll be no smoke. Don’t you understand? There may be a ship out there-” (Golding, 178). | its a necessity for the fire to be burning so the smoke can signal a ship |
| “Aren’t there any grownups at all? I don’t think so. “”No grownups!” (Golding, 8). | the young boys are upset over the idea of no grown ups on the deserted island. |
| “I expect we’ll want to know all their names, ” said the fat boy, “and make a list. We ought to have a meeting” (Golding,11). | the boy suggests the idea of getting to know everyone |
| “we can use this to call others. have a meeting. they’ll come when they hear us- ” (Golding,16). | the use of the conch to call everyone for their meetings |
| “Where’s Jack?” The group of boys stirred and consulted. A painted face spoke with the voice of Robert. “He’s hunting. And he said we weren’t to let you in” (Golding,176) | Jack being one of the oldest boys is in control of the younger boys because they look up to him |
| “The chief and Roger-” “-yes, Roger-” “They hate you, Ralph. They’re going to do you.” “They’re going to hunt you tomorrow” (Golding, 188). | jack sends the order out to his followers to kill ralph |
| “Ralph was looking straight into the savage’s eyes. Dont scream. You’ll get back. Now he’s seen you. He’s making sure” (Golding,199). | ralph is hiding trying to not get killed by jack |
| “He forgot his wounds, his hunger and thirst, and became fear; hopeless fear on flying feet, rushing through the forest toward the open beach” (Golding,200). | ralph runs from jack hoping not to get caught because jack is trying to kill him |
| “Are there any adults- any grownups with you?” Dumbly, Ralph shook his head. He turned a half-pace on the sand. A semicircle of little boys, their bodies streaked with colored clay, sharp sticks in their hands, were standing on the beach making no noise at all” (Golding,200). | the boys who were chasing ralph to kill him stopped and made no noise at all when they saw an adult standing on the beach |
| The officer looked past him to the group of painted boys. “Who’s boss here?” “I am,” said Ralph loudly (Golding,201). | control is displayed by the grown up asking who’s boss |
| “Smoke!” He wormed his way through the thicket toward the forest, keeping as far as possible beneath the smoke” (Golding,195). | he crawls beneath the smoke so he is able to breath |
| “There were many things he could do. He could climb a tree; but that was putting all his eggs in one basket. If he were detected, they had nothing more difficult to do than wait” (Golding,195). | ralph thinks about ways to get away from the “painted faces” who are trying to kill him |
| “They cried for their mothers much less often than might have been expected, they were very brown and filthily dirty” (Golding,59). | they cried for their mothers since they are young and naive boys but they didn’t cry as much as one would expect |
| “they obeyed the summons of the conch, partly because Ralph blew it, and he was big enough to be a link with the adult world of authority; and partly because they enjoyed the entertainment of the assemblies” (Golding,59). | all the boys obeyed the call of the conch because ralph, the closest to an adult, blew it |
| “I was chief, and you were going to do what I said. You talk. But you can’t even build huts- then you go off hunting and let out the fire- ” (Golding,70). | ralph shows his authority over jack who thinks he is in charge |
| “jack was loud and active. He gave orders, sang, whistled, threw remarks at the silent ” Ralph – (Golding,72). | ralph shows his authority by being loud and affirmative |
| “aren’t i having none? ” jack had meant to leave him in doubt, as an assertion of power;” (Golding,73). | ralph and jack argue over who is in charge and since jack hunted he left ralph in doubt over him having meat |
| “And we waste time, rolling rocks, and making little cooking fires. Now I say this and make it a rule, because I’m chief: We won’t have a fire anywhere but on the mountain. Ever ” (Golding,81). | to make sure the fire stays burning on the mountain ralph says that no other fire is to be made except the one on the mountain |
| “All this I meant to say. Now I’ve said it. You’ve voted me for chief. Now you do what I say” (Golding,81). | ralph reminds the others that he is in charge |
| “The rules!” shouted Ralph, “You’re breaking the rules!” “Who cares?” Ralph summoned his wits. “Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got!” But Jack was shouting against him. “Bullocks to the rules! We’re strong- we hunt! If there’s a beast, we’ll hunt it down! We’ll close in and beat and beat and beat-!” (Golding,91). | jack thinks that since he hunts he is stronger and superior to ralph |
| “You got to be tough now. Make ’em do what you want.” (Golding,92). | in order to be in charge ralph needs to be tough to have the others do as he says |
| “Grownups know things,” said Piggy. “They aint afraid of the dark. They’d meet and have tea and discuss. Then things ‘ud be all right- ” “They wouldn’t set fire to the island. Or lose-” “They’d build a ship-” (Golding,94). | piggy states the superiority of grown ups |
| “He sighed. Other people could stand up and speak to an assembly, apparently, without that dreadful feeling of the pressure of personality; ” (Golding,103). | ralph who is supposed to be in charge is nervous at the thought of speaking in front of them |
| “I’m not going to be a part of Ralph’s lot-” He looked along the right-hand logs, numbering the hunters that had been a choir. “I’m going off by myself. He can catch his own pigs. Anyone who wants to hunt when I do can come too” (Golding,127). | jack is breaking off into his own group so he can be in charge |
| “Ralph twisted sideways on top of a writhing body and felt hot breath on his cheek. He began to pound the mouth below him, using his clenched fist as a hammer; he hit with more and more passionate hysteria as the face became slippery” (Golding,167). | the painted faces attacked ralph and ralph fought to survive |
| “They’ve got our fire.” Rage shrilled his voice. “They stole it!” (Golding,169). | the painted faces attacked and took the fire which is needed to signal a ship |
| “Jack shouted above the noise. “You go away, Ralph. You keep to your end. This is my end and my tribe. You leave me alone” (Golding,176). | jack tells ralph to stick to his end because jack is showing control of his side |
| “Tie them up!” Ralph cried out hopelessly against the black and green mask. “Jack!” “Go on. tie them.” Now the painted group felt the otherness of Samneric, felt the power in their own hands” (Golding,179) | Jack uses his power for violence as he tells the little ones to tie ralph up |
| “Jack turned to Ralph and spoke between his teeth. “See? They do what I want” (Golding, 179). | Jack shows power over ralph when he says that they do what he wants. |
| “This implies that while all of the boys want their basic needs met, only a couple of the older ones are willing to do what it takes to ensure their survival.” McClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | the idea that the closest ones to adults take charge and come up with ideas for everyone to survive |
| “The irony is that this method of surviving actually leads to the death of several boys, including Simon and Piggy. The savage nature of the hunters even makes Ralph run for his life as they try to kill him.” Jennifer McClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | The painted faces idea of survival is that they need to kill the others who are on Ralph’s side. |
| “Golding’s castaways are faced with the usual struggle for survival, the terrors of isolation, and a desperate but finally successful effort to signal a passing ship … ” (Baker, xiii). | explaining the main theme of the struggles to survive |
| “evil- though hysterically externalized as “The Beast” – (Kemp,473). (Novelists) | the source of the violence is symbolized as “The beast” |
| “the children re-enact the process that has brought them to this state: restored to an Eden, they convert it to an abattoir ” (Kemp,473). (Novelists) | through the use of violence the boys have converted the island to an abattoir (slaughterhouse) |
| “He confirms the reality of the beast and his confession of weakness insures Jack’s spectacular rise to power” (Baker,xix). | Since Ralph is not a hunter, knowing there is a “beast” insures Jacks rise to power because of his role as a hunter |
| “The rebirth of evil is made certain by the fatal defects inherent in human nature, and the haunted island we occupy must always be a fortress on which enchanted hunters pursue the beast ” (Baker,xxiv). | the hunters become evil and pursue the beast of sin on the island |
| “and since no boy could reach even the reef over the stretch of water where the snapping sharks waited, they grew accustomed to these mysteries” (Golding,58). | violence is displayed in the waters with the snapping sharks |
| “It has been suggested that it was a mistranslation of a mistransliterated word that gave us this pungent and suggestive name for the devil, a devil whose name suggests that he is devoted to decay, destruction, demoralization, hysteria, and panic and who therefore fits in very well with Golding’s theme” (Epstein,205). | the beast is symbolized as the devil who resembles all the decay, and destruction on the island |
| ” basic wildness is the theme of the book; the struggle between Ralph, the representative of civilization with his parliaments and his brain trust…” (Epstein,206). | violence breaks out over the wildness throughout the book |
| “within a short time the rule of reason is overthrown and the survivors regress to savagery ” (Baker,xiii). | in the beginning of their time on the island everyone was cooperative with each other until they “regress to savagery” in their violent ways |
| “In the first hours on the island Ralph sports untroubled in the twilight of childhood and innocence, but after he sounds the conch he must confront the forces he has summoned to the granite platform beside the sunny lagoon” (Baker,xviii). | ralph being the oldest but still only 12 has to make order with the rest of the boys on the island after he blows the conch |
| “Simon fights with all his feeble power against the message of the head, against the “ancient, inescapable recognition,” the recognition of human capacities for evil and the superficial nature of human moral systems” (Epstein,207). | Simon fighting the message of the head resembles simon overcoming evil |
| “The whole book is symbolic in nature except the rescue in the end where adult life appears, dignified and capable, but in reality enmeshed in the same evil as the symbolic life of the children on the island” (Epstein,204). | while the violence on the island is occuring, the same violence of world war is happening around them |
| “But the island was scorched up like dead wood- Simon was dead- and Jack had…” (Golding,202). | violence from the killing of simon and the fire traveling across the island |
| “On the beach behind him was a cutter, her bows hauled up and held by two ratings. In the stern-sheets another rating held a sub-machine gun” (Golding,200). | violence is displayed by the holding of machine guns when the children are found |
| “We saw your smoke. What have you been doing? Having a war or something? ” Ralph nodded (Golding,201). | the theme of violence when ralph nods at the question of the boys having a war |
| “Nobody killed, I hope? Any dead bodies? ” “Only two. And they’ve gone” (Golding,201). | violence – two dead bodies |
| “Ralph stirred restlessly in his narrow bed. One chanced nothing! What could they do? Beat him? So what? Kill him? A stick sharpened at both ends” (Golding,198). | ralph can’t sleep because jack is plotting to kill him |
| “Now the fire was nearer; those volleying shots were great limbs, trunks even, bursting. The fools! The fools! The fire must be almost at the fruit trees- what would they eat tomorrow? ” (Golding,198). | the fire is swallowing the island causing ralph to think what they shall eat tomorrow since the fruit trees are almost gone |
| “There arent any grownups. We shall have to look after ourselves” (Golding,33). | ralph takes leadership by informing the boys of the responsibilities to come |
| “And another thing. We can’t have everybody talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school.” He held the conch before his face and glanced round the mouth. “Then i’ll give him the conch” (Golding,33). | showing power by only the person with the conch can talk |
| “And he wont be interrupted. Except by me” (Golding,33). | ralph is above others as leader so he can interrupt whoever is speaking with the conch |
| “We’ll have rules!” he cried excitedly. “Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks ’em-” (Golding,33). | jack states an idea of having rules |
| Jack broke in. “All the same you need an army- for hunting. Hunting pigs-” (Golding,32). | jack shows leadership over stating that they need hunters |
| “Initially, the boys try to set up life on the island much as it was in civilization—they create an island democracy, choose a “biggun,” Ralph, as their leader, and set about building shelter and finding food. ” jennifer mcClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | the young boys choose a leader and build shelter and find food as basic need for survival |
| “as the boys spend more time on the island, they become increasingly cruel.” jennifer mcClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | evil and violence take over the boys the longer they spend on the island |
| “For instance, in one scene, Henry, one of the “littluns,” plays with plankton on the beach, trapping them in his footprint when the tide comes in. He enjoys this cruel control over other living things. Little does he know that one of the bigguns, Roger, is exerting the same control over him. As Henry plays, Roger watches from the jungle, throwing rocks in a circle around the little boy. The implication is that Roger not only longs for that control but also actually wishes to do harm to Henry. “jennifer mcClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | violence is displayed by a “littlun” who traps plankton on the beach while a “biggun” throws rocks in a circle around the little boy as in control or power over the little boy |
| “Jack, one of the older children, dubs the choirboys the hunters and himself their leader, intending to help provide food for all of the boys. ” Jennifer McClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | jack declares himself leader of the hunters |
| “Their obsession with hunting eventually leads them to bloodlust, frenzy, and murder. This descent begins when the hunters kill a sow. They stick its head on a pike and begin to dance in a ritualistic, tribal celebration.” Jennifer McClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | the hunters then start to become crazily dependent on hunting not for the basic need of food but for the love of violence |
| “In the midst of this commotion, Simon, one of the older boys, wanders into the group, and the other boys kill him, thinking him a monster.” Jennifer McClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | while the hunters are blindsided by the thrills of hunting they kill Simon who wanders into the group |
| “Roger rolls a boulder over Piggy, killing him, and the hunters chase Ralph into the jungle. He hides for nearly a day as he is hunted like an animal.” Jennifer McClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | the hunters following jacks orders, roll a boulder over piggy and kill him and then continue their violence with finding ralph to slay him as well |
| From the beginning, the “littluns” have nightmares, and many believe a monster lurks on the island. One night when a dead pilot drops from the sky in a parachute, the boys believe they have actually seen the monster. As they become more enthralled in the hunt and its bloodlust, they even begin to worship this beast, leaving it sacrifices, such as the sow’s head on a pike, as if it were a tribal god. Jennifer McClinton (encyclopedia of themes in literature) | violence is displayed by the dead pilot from the world war and the hunt for this “beast” |
| The book centers around the attempts they make to survive, beginning with forming an island democracy and including the eventual turning from that democracy and its rules. Jennifer McClinton (survival- encyclopedia of themes in literature) | the boys start a democracy on the island but it soon turns out of order |
| They elect a leader, Ralph, and define the rules of their society, such as allowing only the person holding the conch shell to speak at meetings. Jennifer McClinton (survival- encyclopedia of themes in literature) | in order to survive they elect ralph as leader and the rule of the conch |
| This turning from society begins with their disregarding the rule of the conch shell. It reaches its symbolic peak in the destruction of the conch shell toward the end of the novel. Jennifer McClinton (survival- encyclopedia of themes in literature) | the rule of the conch then is ignored when violence breaks out among the island |
| Though all of the boys seem excited about the plan to build huts, only Ralph and Simon work to build them while the others play in the lagoon. This implies that while all of the boys want their basic needs met, only a couple of the older ones are willing to do what it takes to ensure their survival. Jennifer McClinton (survival- encyclopedia of themes in literature) | since the boys are so young the older ones have to pick up their side of the work because they can not concentrate |
| Nevertheless, the hunt soon consumes many of the boys, leading to the fall of the island society. Jennifer McClinton (survival- encyclopedia of themes in literature) | the fall of the island is caused by the abuse of hunting by many boys |
| However, much like their turning from their island society, the boys become so focused on hunting that they ultimately quit keeping up the signal fire, causing them to actually miss a chance at rescue. Once again, the boys turn their backs on all other aspects of survival in favor of the hunt. Jennifer McClinton (survival- encyclopedia of themes in literature) | being distracted by hunting caused the fire to die down and the smoke was not big enough to signal the ship that passed |
| The thrill they get from hunting intoxicates them, leading to a sort of bloodlust. Jennifer McClinton (survival- encyclopedia of themes in literature) | the rush from hunting lead to bloodlust |
| What at one time was used for the benefit of all of the group actually results in the death of some of its members and forces the group’s former leader Ralph to escape his former followers. Jennifer McClinton (survival- encyclopedia of themes in literature) | in the beginning hunting was used for meat to eat but then later turns into murder of some boys |
| Because of this corrupt nature, no one is safe, and it is every man for himself. Jennifer McClinton (survival- encyclopedia of themes in literature) | the hunters are obsessed with killing and the others have to watch out or get killed |
| “You two follow behind. I’ll go first, then Piggy a pace behind me. Keep your spears ready” (Golding,174). | ralph is being a leader by saying he’ll go first and also violence by keeping their spears ready |
| ” ‘ Course we have. ‘Cos the smoke’s a signal and we can’t be rescued if we don’t have smoke” (Golding,173). | the smoke is a necessity for survival so they can signal a ship and be saved |
| “I got the conch. I’m going to that Jack Merridew an’ tell him I am” (Golding,171). | ralph states the idea of standing up to jack because has the conch and is in charge |
| “We can do all right on our own can’t we? ” (Golding,132). | the question if they can survive without adults |
| “you chief. you tell em’ off” (Golding,51). | since ralph is leader he needs to learn to |
| “Do you remember how we went hunting and the fire went out and a ship passed by? And they all think he’s best as chief” (Golding 170). | jack tries to turn the other boys against ralph by reminding them how the fire went out while they were hunting |
| “Which is better- to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill” (Golding 180). | choosing sides is choosing a leader ralph for rules or jack for hunting and killing |
| “Seems to me we aught to have a chief to decide things” (Golding 22). | leadership starts from the beginning of the book by saying they need a chief to decide things |
lord of the flies quotes
February 12, 2020