Lord of the Flies by Term Paper

They can no longer function as a team, because they have taken on the characteristics of violent animals whose only goal is to survive at any cost. They do not care that the four cannot do it alone, so they have already lost many of the important aspects of society that hold it together - a sense of teamwork and the common good.

Simon and Maurice arrived. Ralph looked at them with unwinking eyes. Simon turned away, smearing the water from his cheeks. Ralph reached inside himself for the worst word he knew. 'They let the bloody fire go out'" (Golding 77). My rewrite would be:

Simon and Maurice arrived, jubilant. Ralph greeted them with whoops and shouts. Simon turned away, wiping the water from his cheeks. Ralph reached inside himself for the best word he knew. "Jubilation," he cried, "They found us!"

Of course, this would change the entire framework of the novel from a biting comment on society to a Pollyanna "the boys are saved" book that did not have nearly the impact or importance of this novel. I would place this rewrite further on in the book, to give the boys time to experience many of the things they need to experience in this coming of age novel. However, this rewrite would change the outcome not only in that the boys would be saved, none of them would die, and of course, the lessons from the novel would be greatly reduced. This indicates how a simple plot change can alter the entire focus and impact of a novel.

Journal to Piggy: As a character, Piggy represents the outcast or unique individual in society that is always different, misunderstood, and mocked. Piggy is fat, which is different enough, but he also has to wear glasses, he is smart, and he is weak - making immediately the enemy to anyone who wants to intimidate him. He would have made a good leader because he is wise, but his insecurities and uniqueness prevented that. It is interesting to note as they story develops that the boys recognize the importance of Piggy's "specs," and even steal them at one point, but they cannot equate any of that with Piggy himself.They cannot acknowledge him for the contributions he makes to the society of the island; they can only destroy him because he is different and can never become one of them.

Sadly, Piggy represents the worst of society, or the worst of how society treats those who are different in any way. Anyone who has suffered the "slings and arrows" of bullying, teasing, and other torments knows what it feels like to be Piggy, and the tormentors have no idea what it feels like at all. I suppose that in any society, there must be weak and strong, but frankly, Piggy's character brings out the hopelessness of society to me. Even in this "enlightened" age, if you are a different color, suffer from a disability, or are different in any way, you are singled out for attention, mocking, and bullying, simply because of your appearance. It is not right, and yet society does little to stop it. One on one, a person might not admit to these things, but in groups, it is as accepted as driving through a McDonald's. Golding's novel shows the group mentality that can result in murder, mayhem, and hatred, with Piggy - the weak, different one - at the center. Frankly, it makes me sad about society and makes me wonder how "advanced" we truly are.

1. Why are Piggy's spectacles such an important, even vital, item for the boys? What do they represent in Golding's view of society in the novel?

2. Why is Ralph unable to maintain a leadership role inside the group of boys?

3. How does Jack gain control of the hunters?

4. What does the conch shell represent in the novel?

5. What do you think the outcome of the story would have been had the ship with Ralph's father not arrived when it did?

References

Golding, William. Lord….....