The Beast Flashcards
(10 cards)
‘He says the beastie came in the dark’
- Imagery of darkness - sense of unknown
- connects the beast to darkness/evil
- darkness is a symbol of evil
‘The creature lifted its head, holding towards them the face of ruin’
- Metaphor - symbolising the breakdown of rationality
- Face fo ruin - destruction and savagery
‘Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill’
Lord of the Flies (chapter 8)
- Personification: the LotF reveals that the beast is an internal fear within the boys
- Mocks the boys ignorance
- Fear of unknown leads to chaos
- Echoes Goldings idea that evil is innate
Goldings Intentions through the Beast
Uses the fear of unknown to explore human nature and the fragility of civilisation when confronted with primitive instincts
Golding uses the beast to symbolise primal, savage instinct and innate evil within all humans
How does the beast/fear contribute to loss of order and shift to savagery
- Littluns mention there fears about the beast on the island - creates the impression they are not safe
- Sam n’Eric claim to see the beast, intensifies the boys fears
- The boys are consumed by terror leading to a loss of control
- Jack uses the fear of the beast ot gain power
- Encourages savagery as he promises protection through violence = collapse of order
Readers Response to the Beast
Sparks fear and suspense — readers feel the boys’ growing panic
Symbol of inner evil — makes readers reflect on human nature
Creates mystery — keeps readers questioning what the beast really is
Irony in Simons Death
Simon is the only one who knows the beast is not real and that it is just the evil within the boys
The boys kill Simon as they mistake him for the beast - growing sense of fear and paranoia
‘Maybe there is a beast…maybe it is only us’
Simon - Chapter 5
- Ellipsis shows his uncertainity and hesitation
- Repitition of ‘maybe’ shows how he is still processing the idea
- Highlights Golding’s message - evil is innate
- The others dont understand Simon - outsider
‘What are you doing out here all alone? Aren’t you afraid of me?’
Lord of the Flies - Chapter 8
- Rhetorical Question - taunting tone
- Builds suspense
- ‘afraid’ - creates a sinister tone adding tension
- Foreshadows Simon’s death - only one who understands the beast so he suffers
How do the boys react differently to the beast
Simon believes the beast is symbolic
Ralph initially denies the beast’s existence, but becomes more fearful
Jack uses the boys fear of the Beast to assert dominance
PIggy insists the beast doesnt exist
The littluns are easily frightened and start the concept of a beast
