LOTF Quotes with analysis Flashcards
Chapter 1 island has ‘____ like coconuts -what is the significance?
Skull. Good simile and use of imagery to foreshadow the theme of death right at the beginning
What does Simon say about the beast ‘maybe there is a b— … maybe it’s only us’
“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.
How is the thrill of violence portrayed for Ralph ‘the d—- to squeeze and h— was over mastering’
“The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering.”
What is the significance of Jack saying “fear can’t h— you any more than a d—-“
“Fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream.” (Jack) Jack dismisses fear but later uses it to control the boys by manipulating their belief in the beast.
Chapter 1
“No ______!” (Ralph)
“No grownups!” (Ralph)
The absence of adults on the island symbolises the absence of authority and therefore civilisation, which is what eventually leads to savagery. The use of the exclamation mark portrays Ralph’s excitement at the absence of adults – he doesn’t yet realise the consequences of this. The choice of the word “grownups” rather than “adults” emphasises that the boys are still children, as this is a word only used by children.
Chapter 1
there was a ______ about his ____ and ____ that proclaimed no ____ (description of Ralph)
there was a mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaimed no devil (description of Ralph)
The description of Ralph as having a “mildness” about his “mouth” suggests that he is gentle and kind, especially in his use of words. Jesus is described as being mild, which links Ralph with good, particularly as his mouth and eyes “proclaimed no devil”. The contrast between Ralph’s “mildness” and the “devil” establishes him as symbolic of civilisation rather than barbarity.
Chapter 1
the pink lips of the ______ (description of the conch)
the pink lips of the mouth (description of the conch)
The use of personification here emphasises the conch’s role as a symbol of democracy. The lips and mouth represent the idea that democracy is based on everyone having a say. In this way, the conch is closely associated with civilisation. Given the link implied here between democracy and the conch, it is significant that a rule is introduced whereby someone can only speak if they are holding the conch.
Chapter 1
something ____ (description of the choir)
something dark (description of the choir)
The description of the choir as “something dark” foreshadows their later role as hunters and therefore their role as symbolic of the barbaric side of humans. The use of the pronoun “something” removes their individual identity and hints at their later group-driven behaviour, which is associated with barbarity. The adjective “dark” associates them with the dark side of humans, namely man’s inherently evil nature, hinting at the inherent savagery and potential for evil that exists within each of the boys.
Chapter 1
_______ on his face in the sand (Simon)
flopped on his face in the sand (Simon)
The use of the word “flopped” emasculates Simon and presents him as less obviously masculine than other characters such as Jack and Ralph. Fainting was very much associated with femininity, which further supports this interpretation. From the beginning, Simon is presented as being more sensitive than the others, which lends weight to the character as a representation of spirituality/Jesus.
Chapter 1
______ up then ______ his mind and sat down again (Jack)
started up then changed his mind and sat down again (Jack)
This description of Jack’s actions is mirrored at the end of the novel when the naval officer arrives to rescue the children (‘‘started forward, then changed his mind and stood still’’). It emphasises the circular structure of the novel, which itself shows that it is the presence of authority (represented here by the naval officer) that enables and indeed compels man to contain the savage side of himself.
Chapter 1
Jack _______ at one [a candle bud] with his knife.
Jack slashed at one [a candle bud] with his knife.
The candle buds represent peace, spirituality and religion. They are closely associated with Simon, as they are present in the secret place he goes to. The fact that Jack slashes at them with his knife is symbolic, as he, as a representation of savagery, is acting violently and destructively towards the buds. The single syllable and the sibilance in the word “slashed” mirror the violence of Jack’s action.
Chapter 1
Next time, there would be __ ______.
Next time, there would be no mercy.
Chapter 2
“We’ll have to have ‘______ ____’ like at school.” (Ralph)
“We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school.” (Ralph)
The emphasis Ralph places on school highlights his allegiance with civilisation, as schools are places of authority and regimentation/regulation. It also emphasises his role as a symbol of civilisation.
Chapter 2
“We’ll have _____ […] lots of rules! Then when anyone ______ ‘em…” (Jack)
“We’ll have rules […] lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks ‘em…” (Jack)
Although both Ralph and Jack are in favour of rules at this point, the implied threat in “when anyone breaks ‘em…” reveals the real reason Jack thinks they should have them: so that he can act violently towards those who break them. He appears not to be interested in rules as structures for the successful functioning of society but as reasons for violence, which emphasises his role as a symbol of savagery.
Chapter 2
“We’ve got to have ______ and obey them. After all, we’re ___ ______ . We’re English, and the English are best at ________.” (Jack)
“We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything.” (Jack)
The use of irony in the statement “we’re not savages” highlights Jack’s lack of understanding of his own nature and desires. This further highlights humans’ own lack of understanding of their inherently evil nature, and serves to underline Golding’s message that man is inherently evil. Golding’s own statement that “Man produces evil as a bee produces honey” makes his own views on this clear, which developed as a result of his own experiences in the Second World War.
Chapter 3
___-like (Jack) / with a _____ of indrawn ______ (Jack) / ape-l____ (Jack)
dog-like (Jack) / with a hiss of indrawn breath (Jack) / ape-like (Jack)
The use of zoomorphism links Jack with savagery and highlights his role as a symbol of the inherently evil nature of humans. The use of simile in “dog-like” and “ape-like” emphasises his animalistic and therefore savage nature. The image of the ape has further connotations, as it is associated with ideas about evolution, and suggests a return to primitive, and therefore savage, behaviour. The use of the onomatopoeic word “hiss” and its connection with snakes hints at Jack’s association with evil, bringing to mind the serpent in the Garden of Eden, which was later viewed as a representation of the devil.
Chapter 3
Jack had to ______ for a moment before he could _________ what ______ was.
Jack had to think for a moment before he could remember what rescue was.
The idea of “rescue” is strongly linked with civilisation as, if they are rescued, it is to civilisation that they will return. It is the boys’ presence on the island that releases them from the civilising effects of rules and expectations and enables the descent into barbarism that takes place. That Jack is struggling to remember what “rescue” is hints as his turning away from civilisation and towards savagery. The word “rescue” also has connotations of being saved in the wider and more metaphorical sense of being saved from oneself. In this context, it can be viewed as the boys being saved from their own barbaric side. There is also a clear link here with the notion of religious salvation or deliverance from sin, which eludes the boys, as symbolised by Simon’s murder.
Chapter 3
“All the same, I’d like to ______ a ___ first.” (Jack)
“All the same, I’d like to catch a pig first.” (Jack)
“I’d like to” suggests a desire to kill for its own sake, rather than just a means of getting food, which is what Jack has been talking about until now. This highlights the barbaric nature of humans and Jack’s role as a representation of this: the implication is that, without the civilising effects of rules and expectations, humans engage in violence as an end in itself.
Chapter 3
They walked along, two _______of experience and feeling, unable to __________. (Ralph and Jack)
They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to communicate. (Ralph and Jack)
The use of the metaphor “continents” emphasises the enormous distance between Jack and Ralph, which highlights their association with savagery and civilisation respectively. Their polarised positions are further emphasised by their being “unable to communicate”, with the prefix un- highlighting the lack of connection between them.
Chapter 4
Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he _____ not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. (Roger aiming to miss when throwing stones at Henry)
Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. (Roger aiming to miss when throwing stones at Henry)
Roger throwing small stones at Henry and aiming to miss is a foreshadowing of Piggy’s death and Roger’s role in it. At this stage, Roger “dare not” throw even little stones at Henry, which shows that the rules and expectations from their old lives still exert a considerable influence. These rules are described as being “invisible yet strong”, with the apparent contradiction between these adjectives highlighting the continued influence of the old way of life despite the fact that they are no longer living that life. The use of the verb “dare” suggests that to throw into the space around Henry, and therefore to violate these rules, would be an act of bravery, and Roger is not yet at that stage. This contrasts starkly with the “delirious abandonment” with which he leans on the lever that moves the boulder that kills Piggy
Chapter 4
“Kill the ___. Cut ___ throat. Spill her blood.”
“Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.”
The use of single-syllable words and the repeated structure (imperative – determiner – concrete noun) creates the impression of a chant, which emphasises the boys’ primitiveness and savagery. This is an expression of the enjoyment taken in killing the pig, rather than just killing it for food. A similar chant is also used during Simon’s murder
Chapter 4
“There was a ____. […] There was a ____.” (Ralph to Jack)/ “We needed ____.” (Jack)
“There was a ship. […] There was a ship.” (Ralph to Jack)/ “We needed meat.” (Jack)
These opposing statements emphasise the boy’s opposing priorities. They are simple statements, which express clearly and simply the things that each boy thinks is more important. The ship represents rescue and therefore civilisation; meat represents violence and therefore savagery. The juxtaposition of these concrete nouns highlights allegorical nature of the novel, specifically Ralph’s role as a representation of civilisation and Jack’s as a representation of barbarism.
Chapter 4
He accepted a piece of_____-___ meat and ______ it like a wolf. (Ralph)
He accepted a piece of half-raw meat and gnawed it like a wolf. (Ralph)
The use of imagery associated with wild animals to describe Ralph – the verb “gnawed” and the simile “like a wolf” – emphasises the idea that savagery is an inherent part of all of us, even Ralph, who is most closely associated with civilisation. Since cooking is associated with civilisation, the fact that the meat is “half-raw” represents the mixture of civilised and savage qualities in Ralph.
Chapter 5
“________ essential illness”
“mankind’s essential illness”
The use of illness as a metaphor to describe evil suggests that, just as people can’t help being ill, humans can’t help being evil, and is a clear indication of Golding’s view that evil is inherent in all of us. The use of the adjective “essential” underlines the intrinsic nature of that evil.
