Lord of the Flies Analysis: Descent into Savagery

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Questions and Answers

What effect does the chant 'Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! Do him in!' have on the boys?

  • It allows them to remember their previous lives.
  • It acts as a ritual that leads to their descent into savagery. (correct)
  • It encourages them to work together in a civilized manner.
  • It makes them feel guilty about their actions.

The chant reflects the boys' gradual loss of innocence.

True (A)

What literary device is primarily used in the phrase 'kill and spill'?

alliteration

The use of _______ verbs in the chant conveys a sense of brutality and aggression.

<p>imperative</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the words from the chant to their connotations:

<p>Kill = Dehumanization Cut = Purposeful action Spill = Metaphorical for evil Do him in = Euphemism for death</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the use of monosyllabic words in the chant affect its impact?

<p>It builds power and aggression. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The boys were completely unaware of their actions when they killed Simon.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who initially initiated the chant that led to Simon's death?

<p>Jack</p> Signup and view all the answers

The addition of the phrase 'do him in' suggests that the boys were ________ about who they were killing.

<p>aware</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Lord of the Flies' foreshadow in relation to Simon?

<p>The inevitability of Simon's death. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Simon's portrayal as a 'beast' reflect about the boys' understanding of fear?

<p>The boys see the beast as something external and scary. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ralph shows signs of remorse after participating in Simon's murder.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the death of Simon symbolize the loss of civilization among the boys?

<p>Simon's death represents the complete descent into savagery and the loss of moral and social order.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'maybe it's just us' suggests that the true beast lies within _______.

<p>the boys</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the characters with their responses to Simon's death:

<p>Ralph = Regret and guilt Jack = No remorse Piggy = Recognizes the gravity of the situation Simon = Acknowledges the internal beast</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which body part is notably significant in Simon's murder?

<p>Throat (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Jack shows an increasing reluctance to kill throughout the novel.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does peer pressure have on Ralph during Simon's murder?

<p>Ralph becomes swept up in the moment, driven by the group mentality and fear of the beast.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The transformation of the boys from civilized children to savages represents the theme of _______ within humanity.

<p>savagery</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Simon's insight about the beast contribute to the overall narrative?

<p>It highlights the irony of their beliefs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Dehumanization through Verbs

The chant's use of strong imperative verbs like 'kill' and 'cut' conveys a direct and brutal action, highlighting the boys' dehumanization of Simon. The verbs emphasize their collective power and the act of removing him.

Rhythmic Violence

Repetition of 'kill' and 'spill' creates a rhythmic, primitive chant. It emphasizes the violence and mirrors their actions, suggesting an escalating savagery.

Harsh Alliteration

The alliteration on 'k' and 'c' in the chant emphasizes the harshness and aggression of the words, mirroring the violent act. It creates a more forceful and impactful sound, reflecting the escalating savagery.

Loss of Innocence: Cut

The shift from killing for food to killing an innocent friend shows Jack's corrupting influence on the boys. The phrase 'cut his throat' highlights precise, deliberate action, suggesting a deliberate choice and a loss of innocence.

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Symbolism of Spill

The word 'spill' could symbolize both the spreading of evil and the display of the boys' capability for violence. It's a trophy, showcasing their brutality.

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Escalating Violence

The increasing graphic detail of the chant, starting with vague verbs and ending with 'spill,' reveals a growing fascination with the act of killing, rather than a necessity for survival. Command words highlight the boys' growing control, hinting at their mirroring of adult actions and the war they were fighting.

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Monosyllabic Power

The chanting in monosyllabic words creates power and a child-like sing-song rhythm, making the act seem almost unintentional and shocking. It also suggests a loss of civilization and a descent to a more primitive state.

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Foreshadowing through Euphemism

The euphemism 'do him in' reflects the boys' increasing brutality and echoes the Lord of the Flies' words to Simon. It foreshadows Simon's death and suggests an awareness of their target.

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Evolving Chant

The chant's evolution from Jack's original pig-killing chant reflects a transformation from a focus on survival to an acceptance of cruelty. It reinforces the idea that the boys are aware of their actions, highlighting their loss of innocence and moral compass.

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The Beast as a Projection

The idea that the boys' fear of the beast is actually a projection of their own inner savagery. Simon recognizes this truth, but the other boys are too caught up in their fear to see it.

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Simon's Murder: A Turning Point

The murder of Simon symbolizes the complete breakdown of order and the boys' descent into savagery. It marks a turning point where they lose all sense of morality and commit an act of unprovoked violence.

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Internal Savagery

The boys' actions, particularly the murder of Simon, reveal the underlying savagery present within each individual, even those who are typically seen as civilized and moral. It highlights the power of group mentality and the fragility of civilization.

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Ralph's Guilt

Ralph's participation in Simon's murder demonstrates the power of peer pressure and the potential for even well-intentioned individuals to succumb to the influence of a mob mentality.

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Jack's Descent into Savagery

Jack's lack of remorse after Simon's murder highlights his descent into savagery. He is now willing to kill for pleasure, rather than for survival, and has lost all sense of compassion or empathy.

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The Evolving Beast

The image of the beast changes throughout the novel, mirroring the boys' increasing fear and descent into savagery. It starts as a childish nightmare and evolves into a symbol of their own primal instincts.

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Simon's Silenced Voice

Simon's death is ironic because he has come to understand the true nature of the beast, but is unable to share his revelation with the others. His silenced voice represents the suppression of reason and truth in the face of primal fear.

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Fear of the Beast

The boys' fear of the beast represents their fear of the unknown and their anxieties about reverting to their primal instincts. It also highlights the power of collective fear in shaping behavior.

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Symbolism of the Throat

The throat is a significant symbol in the novel, representing communication, vulnerability, and the boys' brutality. Simon's murder at the point he is about to reveal the truth emphasizes the consequences of silencing reason and truth.

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Gradual Descent into Savagery

The boys' descent into savagery is a gradual process, influenced by their prolonged stay on the island, their fear of the beast, and the power of peer pressure. They become more like the predators they initially feared.

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Study Notes

Golding's Lord of the Flies - Analysis of the Boys' Descent into Savagery

  • Golding depicts the boys' descent into savagery through a ritualistic chant initiated by Jack. This chant, "Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! Do him in!", embodies the boys' collective power over Simon.
  • The imperative verbs ("kill," "cut," "spill," "do") are precise and dehumanizing. The repetition of harsh consonants ("k," "c," "b") and the rhyming reflect the boys' increasing violence.
  • The use of the chant reflects the boys' loss of innocence. The initial chant's purpose was to hunt for food, but now it's about killing for the sake of killing.
  • The change in language from hunting to killing demonstrates a move from a more primitive need to a more violent, graphic act.
  • The monosyllabic nature of the chant adds a heightened sense of shock and cruelty. It suggests the boys' actions are almost automatic, not fully considered.
  • The chant, "do him in," echoes the title Lord of the Flies and foreshadows Simon's demise. It further symbolizes the boys' loss of civility.
  • The repetition of "his" highlights the boys' awareness of their action but also their lack of morality (killing a fellow human).
  • The image of the beast evolves throughout the novel. Initially a bogeyman, it transforms to represent the boys' inner savagery.

Evaluation

  • The island setting facilitates the boys' descent into savagery. The loss of rules (e.g., the conch) reflects this progression.
  • Jack's gradual adoption of power and desire to kill signifies a clear turning point from hunting to savagery.
  • Piggy's participation and eventual death highlights the pervasive power of peer pressure and the vulnerability of those who stand for order.
  • Ralph's experience of the boys' savagery showcases the strength of their savagery and the susceptibility of even moral individuals to succumb to the pressures of the group.
  • The chant reveals an escalation of the boys' brutality and their loss of moral restraints.
  • The change in language, from the hunting motif of the first chant to the brutal imagery of the later chant, accentuates the progression of the boys' savagery through the story.

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