Chapters eleven and twelve: pages 169-202 THE ENDING!!!
Well, we have finally reached the ending... I'm still trying to process my opinion on it. But honestly, I know that my first reaction to the ending should have been how beautifully horrific Golding described the complexity of humanity and the change that some people go through. Or think about the loss of Simon and Piggy and how their deaths meant nothing to the savages. But really all I could think about is how awkward the boat ride home will be with Jack and Ralph. Like is Jack going to jail? Will he slyly try and stab Ralph on the way home? You never know. |
Hopefully I'll be able to form a decent thought of the ending by the end of this blog. So let's start with chapter 11! :)
First of all, let's just talk about what a great person Ralph is. Although he is clearly struggling to keep his humanity, he always goes back to who he truly is as a person and tries to always make the right decisions. I mean, you can't blame him for falling into the trap of savagery; especially since everyone around him is losing it. For example, even though Jack's group beat up Ralph's in order to steal Piggy's glasses, Ralph's first reaction was getting the fire started rather than taking revenge. Plus, he also makes a comment on how the attack was completely unnecessary if the two groups would just colaborate rather than fight.
First of all, let's just talk about what a great person Ralph is. Although he is clearly struggling to keep his humanity, he always goes back to who he truly is as a person and tries to always make the right decisions. I mean, you can't blame him for falling into the trap of savagery; especially since everyone around him is losing it. For example, even though Jack's group beat up Ralph's in order to steal Piggy's glasses, Ralph's first reaction was getting the fire started rather than taking revenge. Plus, he also makes a comment on how the attack was completely unnecessary if the two groups would just colaborate rather than fight.
" '... that's his fault, too [Simon's death]. If it hadn't been for him it would never had happened. Now Piggy can't see, and they came, stealing-' Ralph's voice ran up '-at night, in darkness, and stole our fire. They stole it. We'd have given them fire if they'd asked. But they stole it and the signal's out and we can't ever be rescued. Don't you see what I mean? We'd have given them fire for themselves only they stole it. I-' (Golding 170)
Now obviously, Ralph's pissed. But, it still doesn't change the fact that he doesn't first think of revenge. He is mad because the people he first thought of as his friends are against him. They indirectly stole the only thing the cares about: a fire for rescue. Ralph is also upset because they caused Piggy to not be able to see; Ralph is protective of Piggy and this does not sit right with him. So, he then comes up with a plan (even though they don't go through with it) to dress up proper and remind the boys of why they need to cooperate. Again, this simple idea reflects on Ralph's character. He does not think of violence but rather he thinks of reason. But then the twins want to bring weapons, because lets be honest Jack has gone batshit crazy and they need protection. But, it's still nice how Ralph has such a high moral compass.
Another thing that I thought was really precious was when Ralph had Piggy carry the conch to Castle Rock. The conch means a lot to Ralph, but especially to Piggy. It reminds him of how things should have been and it makes him feel wanted and important. Anyways, another obvious but important symbol is the face paint. Ralph's tribe does not wear it but Jack's tribe does. It represents the mask that hides the boy's humanity, and it is clear to the boys who you have become once the paint is stained on your cheekbones. |
" 'Then we must go as we are,' said Ralph, 'and they won't be any better.'
Eric made a detaining gesture.
'But they'll be painted! You know how it is.'
The others nodded. They understood only too well the liberation into savagery that the concealing paint brought.
'Well we won't be painted,' said Ralph, 'because we aren't savages.' " (Golding 172)
Now we move on to Piggy :(
Let's just appreciate his character for a second because we all know what's about to go down in this blog. Yes, Piggy was super annoying. But the reason he was there was so that he could help Ralph become a leader. Piggy was smart. Ralph is too, but not so much as Piggy was. Piggy was always there to help come up with the details of Ralph's plans, he was always there to remind Ralph of who he truly is, he helped Ralph keep things straight- to fight towards rescue, and he was always there to be loyal to Ralph and to be his friend.
Let's just appreciate his character for a second because we all know what's about to go down in this blog. Yes, Piggy was super annoying. But the reason he was there was so that he could help Ralph become a leader. Piggy was smart. Ralph is too, but not so much as Piggy was. Piggy was always there to help come up with the details of Ralph's plans, he was always there to remind Ralph of who he truly is, he helped Ralph keep things straight- to fight towards rescue, and he was always there to be loyal to Ralph and to be his friend.
But unfortunately, Golding decided that he just HAD to go. Although it's hard to admit, Piggy really did have to die in order to get the point across to his readers. Piggy's death was not only sad, but also very uneventful. Piggy's death scene was quick, small, and very unnoticeable. It was all contained in one single paragraph, in between two important fight scenes between Ralph and Jack. |
"The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning over as he went. The rock bounded twice and was lost in the forest. Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea. His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy's arms and legs twitched a bit, like a pig's after it has been killed. Then the sea breathed again in a long, slow sigh, the water boiled white and pink over the rock; and when it went, sucking back again, the body of Piggy was gone." (Golding 181)
Peggy's death scene was made to be very unnoticeable and unimportant. But, it wasn't just because Golding wanted to make his readers mad at him, even though he did a pretty good job of it. He did it because although Piggy's death was important to us, the audience, it was NOT important to the other boys on the island. No one except for Ralph appreciated Piggy for his positive qualities, and Piggy's death scene is representative of the impact that he had on all the other boys on the island, fleeting and not memorable. BUT HE ALSO WENT OUT WITH QUITE A SMASH! ;) That wasn't cool I'm sorry it's too soon. Alright well now it's time to move on to chapter 12, the last chapter in Lord of the Flies. |
One phrase that I think would best sum up the last chapter would be that Ralph finally comes to the realization of the changes of everything around him. He sees the savages as dangerous, and finally notices how much of their humanity has been lost while on this island. Ralph makes one small observation of one of the savages:
"He had even glimpsed one of them, striped down, black and red, and had judged that it was Bill. But really, thought Ralph, this was not Bill. This was a savage whose image refused to blend with that ancient picture of a boy in shorts and shirt." (Golding 183)
Ralph finally sees what these boys have been slowly carved down to; savages.
Ralph also sees the truth in his old friend Jack. He now understands that Jack can never see reason, and Jack will never let him alone until his threat on him is neutralized, until Ralph's dead. But of course, since Ralph is a hopeful human being, he still tries to make excuses for the actions of his old friends and for the deaths of his loyal followers.
Ralph also sees the truth in his old friend Jack. He now understands that Jack can never see reason, and Jack will never let him alone until his threat on him is neutralized, until Ralph's dead. But of course, since Ralph is a hopeful human being, he still tries to make excuses for the actions of his old friends and for the deaths of his loyal followers.
"The breaking of the conch and the deaths of Piggy and Simon lay over the island like a vapor.
These painted savages would go further and further. Then there was that indefinable connection between himself and Jack; who therefore would never let him alone; never.
He paused, sun-flecked, holding up a bough, prepared to duck under it. A spasm of terror set him shaking and he cried aloud.
'No. They're not as bad as that. It was an accident.' " (Golding 184)
Ralph's clearly lying to himself. But he only does it out of guilt, fear, and his undeniable human need to explain an event that was too horrific for anyone to wrap their head around. He wants to believe that there is still a school boy hidden behind the red and black masks; which there still may be.
It doesn't really have anything to do with the plot, except add to the never-ending motif of dead pigs and to the fact that Ralph keeps coming to the realization of horrible events that took place on the island, but I loved the personification of the Lord of the Flies when Ralph first sees it. Ralph knows there is something eerie and unsafe about the grinning skull, and his gut tells him to get away and defend himself.
It doesn't really have anything to do with the plot, except add to the never-ending motif of dead pigs and to the fact that Ralph keeps coming to the realization of horrible events that took place on the island, but I loved the personification of the Lord of the Flies when Ralph first sees it. Ralph knows there is something eerie and unsafe about the grinning skull, and his gut tells him to get away and defend himself.
"....the pig's skull grinned at him from the top of a stick. He walked slowly into the middle of the clearing and looked steadily at the skull that gleamed as white as ever the conch had done and seemed to jeer at him cynically. An inquisitive ant was busy in one of the eye sockets but otherwise the thing was lifeless. |
Creepy, right?
Although Ralph was not hallucinating as Simon was before, they both got the same feeling that the Lord knew everything, that it held power of them. Just as the easy fall into savagery holds power over the boys as well.
In this chapter, daylight and the darkness of night also have a big effect on the boy's actions and ways of thinking. The night holds power for the savages and fear, while daylight burns the truth of their situation into their hearts (Kind of like High Key and Low Key lighting in a movie).
Ralph remembers the good times they had, and how much darkness changed his friends, and how the light could bring hope to restoring their humanity. Ralph seems to be the only one left who considers "normal" to be getting rescued, not having dances enchanting the hunt.
Although Ralph was not hallucinating as Simon was before, they both got the same feeling that the Lord knew everything, that it held power of them. Just as the easy fall into savagery holds power over the boys as well.
In this chapter, daylight and the darkness of night also have a big effect on the boy's actions and ways of thinking. The night holds power for the savages and fear, while daylight burns the truth of their situation into their hearts (Kind of like High Key and Low Key lighting in a movie).
Ralph remembers the good times they had, and how much darkness changed his friends, and how the light could bring hope to restoring their humanity. Ralph seems to be the only one left who considers "normal" to be getting rescued, not having dances enchanting the hunt.
"They were savages it was true; but they were human, and the ambushing fears of the deep night were coming on." (Golding 186)
"Might it not be possible to walk boldly into the fort, say-
'I've got pax,' laugh lightly and sleep among the others? Pretend they were still boys, schoolboys who had said, 'Sir, yes, sir,'- and worn caps? Daylight might have answered yes; but darkness and the horrors of death said no. Lying there in the darkness, he knew he was an outcast." (Golding 186)
The personification of night clearly has a hold on the boys, or at least Ralph. Light represents who the men really are, but night represents who they become. He knows the boys are gone, but he shows signs of still having a sliver of hope of riding their souls of savagery.
Now we will move on to Samneric (Sam and Eric, the twins). To do a quick boring summary, earlier in the chapter the twins got tied up by Jack when Jack and Ralph were fighting. Jack knew Ralphy boy would pull the hero complex and try to save them. Long story short, Ralph wasn't able to save them and Jack made them join his tribe "or else". So he now sometimes tortures them for information on our boy Ralph- no biggie. Sorry about that, but it's important to next analysis! Now personally, I am pretty neutral on Samneric. I think that they are the average good samaritan. They know what is right, and they are brave enough to say what they think and tell people what is, and what isn't. But, they aren't heroes. Yes, they do the right thing occasionally, but they are no Superman's or Spiderman's. When it comes down to it, they will sell themselves out to stay alive. I think that Samneric are what most of us would be if we were ever stuck in a situation like this- or at least I like to think so. |
But, I do like them. Even though they did sell themselves out, they have not totally changed who they are yet. Ralph immediately noticed that the twins are not wearing paint yet. Plus, the twins warned Ralph of Jack's manhunt, gave him some food, and conveniently looked to the side when Ralph was picking a hiding spot. Yes, they ended up telling Jack where he was hiding. But again, I feel like most of us would end up doing the same if we were getting tortured- because I'm a baby and I'm assuming a lot of other people are too (not to offend any of you wanna-be heroes). But I don't know they are cool and I'm glad that they stayed loyal to Ralph for most of the novel, or even to the end of the novel.
" 'You two aren't painted. How can you-? If it were light-' " 'What have I done? I liked him- and I wanted us to be rescued-' |
Ralph now begins to attack some savages. Obviously, he does it out of self-defense, I mean the boys are literally hunting him like a pig. I'm not going to lie though, I was kind of disappointed. Even though I KNOW that anyone in this situation would have done what Ralph did. I know that Ralph did the right thing in trying to keep himself alive- why work so hard to keep your humanity is you're just going to lose it all to a bunch on savage little boys? And of course, I know it was very brave of him to try and survive and fight to the end when he knows all the stars in space are against him.
But for some reason, I think I built a nonrealistic idealization of Ralph. I pictured him being the one to hurt no one, to only fight with his words and influence rather than his fists. Clearly that would be impossible in this situation, but because I have overly high expectations of fictional characters I was saddened by his violence.
Ah, now we can move on to the irony of smoke. Throughout the entire novel, Ralph wanted nothing more than to have a large smoke signal burning constantly. So of course, Jack the jerk decides to literally smoke Ralph out so he could kill him. Why did these boys allow Jack to be chief again? He's a psycho.
But for some reason, I think I built a nonrealistic idealization of Ralph. I pictured him being the one to hurt no one, to only fight with his words and influence rather than his fists. Clearly that would be impossible in this situation, but because I have overly high expectations of fictional characters I was saddened by his violence.
Ah, now we can move on to the irony of smoke. Throughout the entire novel, Ralph wanted nothing more than to have a large smoke signal burning constantly. So of course, Jack the jerk decides to literally smoke Ralph out so he could kill him. Why did these boys allow Jack to be chief again? He's a psycho.
Another thing that I wanted to comment on was the similarity between Katniss and Ralph. They both have a hero complex, they both have natural leadership skills, they both know how to take care of themselves, they both aren't all that friendly, but they both also stick their necks out to help and care for others. Here is just one quote that reminds me of Katniss:
"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.
If only one had time to think!
Another double cry at the same distance gave him a clue to their plan. Any savage balked in the forest would utter the double shout and hold up the line till he was free again. That way they might hope to keep the cordon unbroken right across the island. Ralph thought of the boar that had broken through them with ease. If necessary, when the chase came too close, he could charge the cordon while it was still thin, burst through, and run back." (Golding 195)
Ralph is shown to be very calculating, strong, and uncaring of all his wounds he has acquired. Possibly due to shock or adrenaline? Either way, the self preservation talent is there in both characters.
Finally, we get to the big ending. Because of the ironic smoke and fire set upon Ralph, another ironic twist comes. Because of the giant fire Jack used to try and capture and kill Jack, Ralph ended up getting his way. A ship spotted the smoke, and a bunch of men in the navy came to the island to rescue the boys. The sailor that has come to save them is very disappointed. He can't believe what has become of these boys, better yet what they have done to each other. He first describes them as having " 'fun and games' " (Golding 200) which makes Ralph remember that's what it was like in the beginning, before people started to go hunt crazy.
But honestly, the last two paragraphs of the entire book are the ones that I will remember the most. They were by far the most moving. Ralph finally cries. He allows himself to be vulnerable, to not hold the weight of the world on his shoulders, and to no longer care about responsibility and keeping his humanity. He is relieved that he was saved from being murdered by his old friends, and he weeps for the loss of Simon and Piggy, and for the loss of their childhood.
Finally, we get to the big ending. Because of the ironic smoke and fire set upon Ralph, another ironic twist comes. Because of the giant fire Jack used to try and capture and kill Jack, Ralph ended up getting his way. A ship spotted the smoke, and a bunch of men in the navy came to the island to rescue the boys. The sailor that has come to save them is very disappointed. He can't believe what has become of these boys, better yet what they have done to each other. He first describes them as having " 'fun and games' " (Golding 200) which makes Ralph remember that's what it was like in the beginning, before people started to go hunt crazy.
But honestly, the last two paragraphs of the entire book are the ones that I will remember the most. They were by far the most moving. Ralph finally cries. He allows himself to be vulnerable, to not hold the weight of the world on his shoulders, and to no longer care about responsibility and keeping his humanity. He is relieved that he was saved from being murdered by his old friends, and he weeps for the loss of Simon and Piggy, and for the loss of their childhood.
If I had to pick a favorite quote from these two paragraphs, it would probably be this one:
"And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwired nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of a man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy." (Golding 202)
Ralph weeps for the island, for his loss of faith in humanity, and for all the sadness and heart ache he was previously forced to ignore in order to stay strong and survive on the island. The once beautiful, innocent island has tuned dark by the violations of the human savages. Basically, the last page of the book implies that the theme of the novel is that mankind is so much more powerful than we may think. We all have a darkness in us that we may not know that we have. Golding displays his obvious opinion that mankind sucks. But, he also implies the importance of hope. In every thousand dark souls, there will be a golden one, like Ralph. He kept his humanity through until the end even though he had to do some things he never would have thought he was capable of. There is always a silver lining in every horrible situation, and in this case Ralph and the rescue represents the hope that Golding has for humanity and for the future.
Do you think that any of this would have happened if there was no elected chief?
Which character do you think you would be most similar to if you were thrown into a situation just like the one above?
What do you think happens to the rescued boys once they reach England?
And not to make your brain hurt, but do you even think that the boys were rescued at all? After all, Ralph was starting to show signs of forgetfulness. But could that really escalate to hallucinations? Or, could Ralph had been murdered? Could the rescue and soldiers represent Ralph's relief of finally letting all the stress go, of dying?
I'm going to go with that they were actually rescued because that makes me slightly happier, even though the ending is super sad.
Well, thanks for dealing with my super long blog! I hope that you enjoyed the book and I hope that my posts got you thinking about the novel! :)
And to think all this sadness started with this:
Do you think that any of this would have happened if there was no elected chief?
Which character do you think you would be most similar to if you were thrown into a situation just like the one above?
What do you think happens to the rescued boys once they reach England?
And not to make your brain hurt, but do you even think that the boys were rescued at all? After all, Ralph was starting to show signs of forgetfulness. But could that really escalate to hallucinations? Or, could Ralph had been murdered? Could the rescue and soldiers represent Ralph's relief of finally letting all the stress go, of dying?
I'm going to go with that they were actually rescued because that makes me slightly happier, even though the ending is super sad.
Well, thanks for dealing with my super long blog! I hope that you enjoyed the book and I hope that my posts got you thinking about the novel! :)
And to think all this sadness started with this: