Lord of the Flies Chapter 4 Chapter Summary

Lord of the Flies Chapter 4

Chapter Summary • Life on the island is developing a daily routine • Morning is pleasant – cool air, sweet smells, the boys play • Afternoon brings heat – the boys nap and when awake are troubled by weird images • Piggy realizes they are mirages caused by sunlight and reflections • Evening brings coolness but the dark brings nightmares for most of the children.

Chapter 4 Summary • The littluns eat fruit and play – they are troubled by bad dreams of the beastie • All fruit diet is giving the boys stomach problems • The littluns and older boys basically live similar lives – but at times the older boys torment the littluns • Roger, who we see is very vicious, stomps on some castles the littluns are building • Roger then throws stones at one of the boys, although he misses the boy on purpose.

Chapter 4 Summary • Jack’s obsession w/ killing a pig continues and he and several boys cover their faces with clay and charcoal and go hunting • Ralph berates Piggy for his ideas • Ralph and Piggy see a ship at sea but they notice the signal fire has gone out • They hurry to the top of the hill, but it is too late and the ship sails away • Ralph is with Jack because it was the hunter’s responsibility to keep the fire going.

Chapter 4 Summary • Jack and the hunters return from the jungle, covered in blood, chanting, and carry a dead pig on a stake. • Ralph angrily asks Jack about the fire. However the hunters are so excited that none hear his complaints • Piggy complains about the hunters’ immaturity and Jack hits Piggy in the stomach and then the face breaking one lense of his glasses – Jack then taunts Piggy • Ralph and Jack have a heated argument – Jack admits his mistake about the fire but never apologizes to Piggy • Ralph goes to Piggy to use his glasses to light a fire, Jack’s feelings towards Ralph change to resentment • The boys roast the pig and dance wildly around the fire, reenacting the hunt • Ralph declares that he is calling a meeting and heads towards the beach alone.

Symbolism/Motifs • • Roger and Maurice “harming” the littluns “Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization” Ship passes as the fire burns out Piggy’s glasses The killing of a pig Simon sharing his food Reenactment of the hunt

Civilization vs. Savagery • “The two boys faced each other. There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill; and there was the world of longing and baffled common-sense. Jack transferred the knife to his left hand smudged blood over his forehead as he pushed down his plastered hair. ” p. 71

Savagery • Jack’s fulfillment of his bloodlust is more important than civilization. • Was the kill for the good of the group? Or for his own satisfaction? • Face painting, smearing blood, nakedness, primal barbarian attire and chants. • They have been taken into savagery.

Savagery • “His mind was crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life with a long satisfying drink. ” p. 70