Chapters five and six: pages 76-108
One big thing that I immediately noticed at the start of this week's reading assignment was the change in Ralph's character. I think that he has become a lot more mature, responsible, and can now see the severity of the situation that him and the rest of the boys are in. Although, this does mean that he has been forced with wisdom and stress well beyond his years; like many terrible life situations can do to people. When the readers first meet Ralph, they understand his personality to be care-free and fun loving. We see him kicking back by the water and messing with Piggy. But, now we can see how serious this situation has made Ralph. The narrator displays Ralph's thoughts before the meeting to be serious.
"He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life, where every path was an improvisation and a considerable part of one's waking life was spent watching one's feet. He stopped, facing the strip; and remembering that first enthusiastic exploration as though it were part of a brighter childhood, he smiled jeeringly." (Golding 76)
Obviously, this huge change in Ralph is a big contrast to the little change in Jack. I would argue that Ralph's change was for the better; he now consistently looks after and can take responsibility for the care of the other boys. But Jack on the other hand, has only changed to become more selfish and more bloodthirsty. Jack seems only to care about his "future" leadership position, the hunt, and exploration of the island. It makes me happy during the moments of happy recollection between Jack and Ralph, but as the novel moves forward those moments seem to dwindle.
But one thing that I am very excited about is that Piggy is getting the recognition that he deserves. Yes, he can be a little annoying because he always seems to need attention, but I'm glad that they are starting to see his talents rather than his faults. There was this one specific section that made me think of "Waiting for Godot" and it also displays Ralph's appreciation of the knowledge that Piggy has.
But one thing that I am very excited about is that Piggy is getting the recognition that he deserves. Yes, he can be a little annoying because he always seems to need attention, but I'm glad that they are starting to see his talents rather than his faults. There was this one specific section that made me think of "Waiting for Godot" and it also displays Ralph's appreciation of the knowledge that Piggy has.
"Again he fell into that strange mood of speculation that was so foreign to him. If faces were were different when lit from above or below- what was a face? What was anything?
Ralph moved impatiently. The trouble was, if you were a chief you had to think, you had to be wise. And then the occasion slipped by so that you had to grab at a decision. This made you think; because thought was a valuable thing, that got results...
Only, decided Ralph as he faced the chief's seat, I can't think. Not like Piggy." (Golding 78)
But of course, Piggy is no chief. He freaks out too much.
But after that Ralph conducted most of the meeting as he hoped. It got a little out of control but he stayed true to his intentions and kept the quality of the meeting serious and business-like.
But, the character who really impressed me was Simon. He is wise well beyond his years, and he too is a thinker. Simon sees the evil in mankind, and he expresses this belief a couple of times during this reading assignment.
But, the character who really impressed me was Simon. He is wise well beyond his years, and he too is a thinker. Simon sees the evil in mankind, and he expresses this belief a couple of times during this reading assignment.
" 'Maybe,' he said hesitantly, 'maybe there is a beast.'
...
'What I mean is... maybe it's only us.'
...
'We could be sort of...'
Simon became inarticulate in his effort to express mankind's essential illness." (Golding 89)
It's clear to the reader now that this "beast" is going to become a major plot advancement in the book. And obviously, any plot advancement of any kind is going to create friction between Jack and Ralph. Jack wants to hunt the beast, and Ralph isn't quite sure what to do yet. He want to attain more knowledge about the creature before he plummets his men face first into the clutches of something unknown and seemingly very powerful. But the problem is that Ralph no longer wants to be chief. This fact is what makes Ralph a good chief. He stresses over the important things, and he no longer wants to be chief because he cares too much about the responsibility. He is getting tired, but Piggy is there to help him. Piggy knows that Ralph must remain chief. Clearly, this reason is for selfish needs (Piggy comes right out and states that he wants Ralph to remain chief so that he can remain protected) but subconsciously he also knows it's good for the whole group. Piggy knows that if chief changes, so will morale.
(Piggy convincing Ralph to blow the conch to call the boys over because they are following Jack)
" 'If you don't blow, we'll soon be animals animals anyway. I can't see what they're doing but I can hear.' " (Golding 92)
This quote shows Piggy's clear concern of leadership. He knows that if Jack is led to be chief rather than Ralph, the group will become savage-like. Piggy knows that either way the "men" will act like animals, but Ralph's leadership will lead them to stray from the dangerous animalistic behavior. Piggy believes that the boys will lose their grip on humanity faster if Jack takes over; and he has clear reason to assume this too.
Now to begin with chapter six: things get exciting! :)
The boys all deduct a reasonable place the beast would live. The group finally believes in the horrible beast after the twins see the monster rather than the littluns. But, the beast from the twins perspective is perceived as a man with a parachute (although the boys added claws and big teeth to the description)? Could this be evidence for Simon's "mankind sucks" case? Or are the boys truly starting to hallucinate? Anyways, after all the facts on the beast have been laid out on the table, the group decides to venture out into the area that they believe the beast is hiding. And again, awesome Simon decides to make another humanity quote.
Now to begin with chapter six: things get exciting! :)
The boys all deduct a reasonable place the beast would live. The group finally believes in the horrible beast after the twins see the monster rather than the littluns. But, the beast from the twins perspective is perceived as a man with a parachute (although the boys added claws and big teeth to the description)? Could this be evidence for Simon's "mankind sucks" case? Or are the boys truly starting to hallucinate? Anyways, after all the facts on the beast have been laid out on the table, the group decides to venture out into the area that they believe the beast is hiding. And again, awesome Simon decides to make another humanity quote.
"Simon, walking in front of Ralph, felt a flicker of incredulity-a beast with claws that scratched, that sat on a mountain-top, that left no tracks and yet was not fast enough to catch Samneric. However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick." (Golding 103)
Basically Simon rocks.
But now we have to go back to Ralph and Jack because that's where this novel always takes us. But, one thing that I noticed is the ironic pass of power between the boys. It seems to me that as Ralph's leadership skills increases, his followers decrease and slowly start to follow Jack. Could this be another example of mankind? Do we tend to follow the ones who allow us more fun rather than wisdom? Do we follow the people who always seem to be the worst for our survival? And is it hard for us to think for ourselves? There always has to be a leader, and the fact of it all is that most of us will be followers (like Hitler and World War II and reference to the movie Life is Beautiful).
And here is another Ralph leadership quote because that's basically this entire blog post.
But now we have to go back to Ralph and Jack because that's where this novel always takes us. But, one thing that I noticed is the ironic pass of power between the boys. It seems to me that as Ralph's leadership skills increases, his followers decrease and slowly start to follow Jack. Could this be another example of mankind? Do we tend to follow the ones who allow us more fun rather than wisdom? Do we follow the people who always seem to be the worst for our survival? And is it hard for us to think for ourselves? There always has to be a leader, and the fact of it all is that most of us will be followers (like Hitler and World War II and reference to the movie Life is Beautiful).
And here is another Ralph leadership quote because that's basically this entire blog post.
"Something deep in Ralph spoke for him.
'I'm chief. I'll go. Don't argue.'
He turned to the others.
'You. Hide there. Wait for me.'
He found his voice tended to either disappear or to come out too loud. He looked at Jack....
'Well. So long.'
He forced his feet to move until they had carried him out onto the neck of land" (Golding 104-105)
This quote displays Ralph's natural leadership qualities. He described that something deep inside him forced him to take the lead even though he was scared and wanted Jack to. Plus, the quote shows that he is brave. He "forced his feet" to go explore the seemingly dangerous area where other boys would have been frozen in place (cough Piggy).
Anyways, by the end of this chapter Ralph again flips out on Jack and the boys because they only see the fort as a castle. Yes, it's a good place for protection but no good for inhabiting. None of the other boys will see this, and this situation will again cause friction between Ralph and Jack.
As of right now, this book truly explores characterization and the human spirit. Will Golding have the ending be happy and preach "the human spirit trumps all yadda yadda" or will he have a disastrous ending exemplifying the danger that humans can inflict? Or will he qualify both? ;) This book is going to get pretty creepy and pretty deep pretty soon and I can't wait to find out which of the boys ends up having the highest moral values.
And here is a gif that is proof that some people need to stay off the internet. Yeah I don't know.
Anyways, by the end of this chapter Ralph again flips out on Jack and the boys because they only see the fort as a castle. Yes, it's a good place for protection but no good for inhabiting. None of the other boys will see this, and this situation will again cause friction between Ralph and Jack.
As of right now, this book truly explores characterization and the human spirit. Will Golding have the ending be happy and preach "the human spirit trumps all yadda yadda" or will he have a disastrous ending exemplifying the danger that humans can inflict? Or will he qualify both? ;) This book is going to get pretty creepy and pretty deep pretty soon and I can't wait to find out which of the boys ends up having the highest moral values.
And here is a gif that is proof that some people need to stay off the internet. Yeah I don't know.