Lord of the Flies Chapter 8

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Questions and Answers

How does the meeting end?

Jack sets the conch down, as humiliating tears flow down his cheeks.

What reminds the reader that the story is about young boys?

Jack says, 'I'm not going to play any longer. Not with you.'

Why is 'The circle shivered with dread' an example of synecdoche?

Because 'the circle' represents the group of boys.

What does Piggy's suggestion to move the fire to the beach accomplish in the boys?

It brings hope and purpose back to the boys. Signup and view all the answers

How is Piggy's participation in the group different than in the past?

Piggy fetches wood and focuses the sun through his lens to light the new fire. Signup and view all the answers

After lighting the fire, where are the few biguns who are left?

They are with Jack, having followed him. Signup and view all the answers

What is worrying Ralph?

Ralph worries that perhaps Simon is climbing the mountain alone. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the first to follow Jack?

The boys from the choir. Signup and view all the answers

What is Jack's plan after naming himself 'Chief'?

His plan is to hunt, and to leave an offering to the beast just in case it is real. Signup and view all the answers

How does the hunt add to the development of the theme?

The hunt shows how far the savagery has gone, as they hunt and kill a mother pig and her babies. Signup and view all the answers

Where does the hunt end?

The hunt ends near the place where Simon is lying. Signup and view all the answers

What do the boys do with the pig?

They slice the head off the pig and leave it as an offering to the beast. Signup and view all the answers

Interpret the title of the chapter, 'Gift for the Darkness'?

Literally, it refers to the pig's head being left as an offering to the beast. Spiritually, it refers to the boys' sacrifice of their innocence to their own primitive natures. Signup and view all the answers

Interpret the statement 'The half-shut eyes were dim with the infinite cynicism of adult life'?

The statement describes the dead pig's head, which symbolizes the loss of innocence and the boys' descent into savagery. Signup and view all the answers

What truth has Simon realized that no one else seems to comprehend?

Simon realizes that the beast is inside each one of them. Signup and view all the answers

For whom might Simon be a foil?

Simon is a foil for the group as a whole, particularly Jack and Roger. Signup and view all the answers

What theme is highlighted by the act of placing the sow's head near the forest glade?

The theme of the loss of innocence is highlighted. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Lord of the Flies foreshadow Simon's death?

The Lord of the Flies warns Simon that all of the others will 'do' him. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'The Island was getting worse and worse' represent?

It represents the boys' descent into savagery and the decline of their civilization. Signup and view all the answers

How is the decline of Jack and his followers' savagery physically displayed?

They are described as 'demonic figures with faces of white, red, and green', and Jack is 'stark naked save for the paint'. Signup and view all the answers

What does Simon's confrontation with the Lord of the Flies represent from an archetypal standpoint?

Simon represents the Christ-figure, and the Lord of the Flies represents the archetype of evil. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 8 Summary

The meeting between Jack and Ralph ends with Jack setting the conch down and tears flowing down his cheeks after he fails to incite a mutiny.

The Boys' Behavior

Jack's statement "I'm not going to play any longer. Not with you" reminds the reader that the story is about young boys.
The phrase "the circle shivered with dread" is an example of synecdoche, where "the circle" represents the group of boys.

Piggy's Contribution

Piggy's suggestion to move the fire to the beach brings hope and purpose back to the boys, and he feels proud of his contribution.
Piggy's participation in the group changes as he fetches wood and focuses the sun through his lens to light the new fire.

The Fire and the Missing Boys

After lighting the fire, Ralph discovers that few biguns are left, and Piggy suspects they may have gone to follow Jack.
The missing boys, including those from the choir, follow Jack due to familiarity and security.

Jack's Plan

Jack's plan is to hunt, and he states that they will leave an offering to the beast, "just in case."
The hunt furthers the development of the theme by showing the extent of the boys' savagery.

The Hunt and Its Consequences

The hunt ends near the place where Simon is lying, and the boys kill a mother pig, leaving her head as an offering to the beast.
The title "Gift for the Darkness" can be interpreted literally as a gift to the beast and spiritually as a sacrifice to their own primitive natures.
The image of the killed pig is a symbol of adult cynicism, marking a new low in the hunters' devolution.

Simon's Realization

Simon comprehends the truth that the beast is inside each one of us, and he is a foil to the group, particularly Jack and Roger.
The sow's head placed near the forest glade highlights the theme of the loss of innocence.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The Lord of the Flies foreshadows Simon's death, warning him that all of the others will "do" him.
The decline of Jack and his followers is physically displayed through their painted faces and nakedness, stereotypically associated with savages.
Ralph runs to the fire to protect their hope of rescue, while Piggy runs to the conch to protect the symbol of authority.
Simon's confrontation with the Lord of the Flies can be interpreted as a confrontation between good and evil, with Simon as the Christ-figure and the Lord of the Flies as the archetype of evil.