Questions and Answers
What is the beast from the air?
A dead pilot has landed on the island, and his parachute harness is flapping in the wind at the top of the mountain.
What has Ralph fixed his mind on, that the others seem to think of very little?
The signal fire, smoke, and rescue.
Why is exploring the castle-like rock formation a scary proposition, and who does it?
They suspect that if the beast has a home on the island, this must be the spot. Jack leads the exploration.
Why does Ralph go first?
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What do the other boys want to do instead of checking the mountaintop for the beast?
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Why do the other boys not work harder at being rescued?
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At the beginning of the chapter, what do Ralph and Simon carry back to the shelter before they go to sleep?
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What is going on in the sky above the island as the boys sleep?
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Why don't any of the boys notice the event in the sky?
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During the night, what drifts down from the sky?
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What makes a flapping noise at night when the wind blows?
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What casts fearful shadows on the ground below?
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What do Samneric see as they wake up and build up the fire?
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What do Samneric mistake the object for?
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When Ralph calls for a meeting, what do Samneric tell the others?
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How do the boys respond to Samneric's claim about the beast?
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Who remains behind when the boys leave?
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What do the boys who leave take with them?
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Who leads the search for the beast?
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Which part of the island have the boys never before explored?
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Who is the only one to explore this bit of land?
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For the person who continues to explore, what change occurs as he goes at it on his own?
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Who joins Ralph in the cave?
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What happens between Ralph and Jack in the cave?
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What do the boys on the expedition begin to do as time goes by?
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When Ralph scolds the boys, what do they do?
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What does the sighting of the 'Beast' do to Ralph's authority?
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In chapter 5 Ralph's leadership is stronger.
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In this chapter, what theme is an extension of the boys' struggle with the conflict between civilization and savagery?
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What falls from the exploded plane?
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Why is Ralph reluctant to blow the conch shell?
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What do Samneric mistake for the 'beastie'?
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Ralph admits to Jack that he is scared.
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What does Jack want to do with the boulders they find?
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What is the 'beast from air'?
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What does Sam and Eric's description of the beast tell us about human psychology?
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How does Ralph overcome Jack's challenge during the discussion about what to do about the beast?
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What significant thoughts does Simon have about the beast while walking to the 'castle'?
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Why do you think Ralph doesn't really expect to encounter the beast?
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How do most of the boys react to their discovery of the 'castle'?
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What excuses does Ralph give to let Piggy stay behind when the other boys go hunt for the Beast?
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What is Golding saying about the outside world when he sends this 'sign' down to the island?
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What is Ralph's opinion of his appearance as Chapter 7 begins?
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Simon says twice to Ralph, 'You'll get back all right.' Is there a reason he singles Ralph out?
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Robert says, 'You want a real pig... because you've got to kill him' and Jack replies, 'Use a littlun.' Thoughts?
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Ralph asks Jack why Jack hates him. Why does Jack hate Ralph?
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Why do you think Golding lets the author know at the outset that it is the pilot and his parachute, not a beast that the boys find?
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Study Notes
Beast from the Air
- A dead pilot lands on the island, with his parachute swaying, leading to the boys mistaking him for the beast.
- Samneric, tasked with watching the fire, exaggerate their sighting, spreading fear among the group.
Ralph's Leadership and Concerns
- Ralph focuses on maintaining the signal fire and the hope of rescue, highlighting his maturity as a leader.
- Other boys prioritize play over survival, reflecting their childhood innocence and desire for immediate gratification.
Exploring the Castle Rock
- The boys fear the castle-like structure, suspecting it to be the beast's lair, with Jack taking over leadership of the hunt.
- Simon theorizes that the true beast lies within humans, challenging the group's perceptions of fear.
Actions During the Night
- As Ralph and Simon return to the shelter, they carry a littlun, symbolizing their protective instincts.
- Airplanes engage in battle overhead; however, the boys remain oblivious due to exhaustion and negligence.
Mistaken Identity
- Samneric awaken to see the dead pilot’s parachute, mistaking it for the beast due to its flapping motion in the wind.
- Their description of the beast illustrates children's tendency to conjure terrifying images from the unknown.
Response to the Apparent Beast
- After Ralph calls a meeting, Samneric's claims escalate fear, prompting an expedition to search for the beast.
- Jack leads the crew, reinforcing his influence, while Ralph and Piggy stay behind, emphasizing Ralph's isolation.
Dynamics Among the Boys
- The boys' immaturity surfaces as they become distracted by games instead of focusing on the search for the beast.
- Ralph's authority diminishes as the boys’ savage tendencies emerge, favoring chaos over civilization.
Themes and Symbolism
- The "beast from air" symbolizes the boys' internal struggles with savagery, reflecting the chaos of the war occurring outside the island.
- Simon's insights reveal that their greatest fear is their own nature, rather than an external monster.
Leadership Challenges
- Ralph's confrontation with Jack reveals underlying tensions, as he asserts the importance of the fire to unify support against Jack's growing influence.
- Ralph expresses a reluctance to acknowledge the beast, portraying his conflict between reason and fear.
Foreshadowing and Consequences
- The boys' focus on fun and games foreshadows loss of structure and descent into chaos as they neglect their primary goal of rescue.
- Golding’s portrayal of the dead paratrooper serves as a metaphor for the decline of civilization and the encroaching savagery among the boys.
Key Interactions and Reflections
- Ralph’s self-perception diminishes as he contemplates his appearance and leadership role, indicating a deep internal conflict.
- Simon’s words to Ralph suggest a bond and an understanding that may foreshadow future events.
Exploration of Violence
- Jack’s casual suggestion to use a littlun instead of a real pig signifies the growing desensitization towards violence among the boys.
- Ralph and Jack’s animosity illustrates a clash between order and chaos, with Ralph representing civilization and Jack embodying savagery.
Garbled Realities
- The narrative hints at a lack of awareness regarding the true nature of their situation, with imminent dangers becoming apparent only to a few.
- Disparate reactions to the discoveries signify the divergence between childhood innocence and primal instincts.
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Description
Explore key concepts from Chapter 6 of 'Lord of the Flies' with these flashcards. This quiz focuses on pivotal events and themes, including the introduction of the beast from the air and Ralph's obsession with the signal fire. Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of the text.
