Lord of the Flies: Beast from Air Analysis

Questions and Answers

Why is the chapter called Beast from Air?

It is so named because the figure (which is a 'beast' to the boys) falls from the 'air' - that is, from the sky. It is a 'beast' because it is unknown and frightens the boys. They misinterpret it as the beast of the forest.

Find a quotation from chapter 6 which supports the notion that Sam and Eric are inseparable.

'They could never manage to do things sensibly if that meant acting independently.' 'Their identical laughter' one conch did for both twins, for their substantial unity was recognized.

What do Sam and Eric see in the middle of the night while on fire duty, and why does it frighten them?

They see the fallen parachute man. It frightens them because they mistakenly think it's the beast. The way that the strings of the parachute have been caught means that as the branches blow in the wind, so does the man move up and down. Therefore, the twins think the figure is alive and that it is the beast.

The twins say that 'the beast' had claws, and that it followed and nearly touched them. Is this true?

False Signup and view all the answers

Do you think that Jack and Ralph have the same motive for hunting the beast? Explain your answer fully.

No, they most probably don't. Ralph's motive for hunting the beast is so that they can be safe and so that they aren't prevented from accessing the mountain to make the signal fire. Jack may also be concerned with safety, but he seems more interested in tracking the beast for the hunt and the power of it; he sees this as an area in which he can be in charge. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Simon doubt the existence of the 'beast'?

Simon is a 'realist' and so he doesn't allow his fear to run away with him. He comes to the logical and rational conclusion that the beast couldn't possibly exist because how could it live on the mountain but not leave tracks? However, Simon also seems extremely insecure and so he has a hard time vocalizing these thoughts. Signup and view all the answers

How do reactions to the discovery of Castle Rock differ?

Many of the boys just want to say and have fun - breaking rocks and building a fort. Jack immediately sees it as an opportunity for a great 'fort' to settle in. Ralph just wants to move on and go and build up the fire for smoke again. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter Title: Beast from Air

Named for the figure that falls from the sky, perceived as a 'beast' by the boys due to its frightening and unknown nature.
The boys misinterpret this figure as the actual beast they fear in the forest.

Sam and Eric's Unity

Quotation highlights their inseparability: they struggle to act independently and share identical laughter.
Their substantial unity is symbolized by the conch, which represents their togetherness as twins.

Night Duty Fright

Sam and Eric mistake the fallen parachute man for the beast during their night watch.
The way the parachute moves with the wind creates an illusion that the figure is alive, heightening their fear.

Distorted Perceptions

Twins claim the beast had claws and followed them, which is untrue.
Fear distorts reality for them, leading to imagined embellishments typical of young boys.

Motives for Hunting the Beast

Ralph seeks safety and wants to ensure they have access to the mountain for signaling rescue.
Jack is more interested in power and control over the hunt, viewing it as a means to assert his dominance.

Simon's Realism

Simon doubts the beast's existence, using logical reasoning: no tracks would be left on the mountain.
Despite his rational thoughts, he struggles to express his insecurities verbally.

Reactions to Castle Rock Discovery

Boys express different priorities upon discovering Castle Rock; some want to play, while others seek to build a fort.
Jack views it as a strategic place for power; Ralph, on the other hand, remains focused on safety and signaling for rescue.

Description

Explore the symbolism and themes in the 'Beast from Air' chapter of 'Lord of the Flies'. This quiz delves into characters like Sam and Eric, their perceptions of fear, and the unity that defines their actions. Test your understanding of how fear influences the boys' reality and their motives for hunting the beast.