The Lord of the Flies Chapters 4 6

The Lord of the Flies Chapters 4 -6

Chapter 4 • Sub culture of leader, biguns, littluns – Henry, Johnny, Percival • “Now there was no parent to let fall a heavy hand, Maurice still felt the unease of wrongdoing. At the back of his mind formed the uncertain outlines of an excuse. He muttered something about a swim and broke into a trot” (60). – Morals and laws of society still prevalent despite lack of adults – Still have conscious and understanding – Chaos and corruption has not taken over

Chapter 4 • Development of Culture – Boys focus on fun aspects of island • Hunting, playing, and eating • Not concerned with fundamentals of survival (shelter) • No rules, set own priorities – Henry “became absorbed beyond happiness as he felt himself exercising control over living things, ” (61) » Alludes to human behavior » Foreshadows Jack’s behavior • Jack is powerless against Ralph’s authority at this point

Chapter 4 • Characterization/ face paint – “He looked in astonishment, no longer himself but at an awesome stranger. He split the water and leapt to his feet, laughing excitedly. Beside the pool his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them. He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling. He capered toward Bill, and the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and selfconsciousness” (63 -64).

Chapter 4 • Character development – British society focuses on manners and restraint • Leashes our evil nature – Enables him to unleash his dark side • “dazzle paint” war paint • Frightens Bill • Compels twins to abandon the fire

Chapter 4 • Character Development – “There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill; and there was the world of longing and baffled commonsense” (71). – Ralph reprimands Jack for letting fire go out • Loss of rescue • Loss of returning to civilization

Chapter 4 • Character Development • Jack – Gains respect after the kill – Separates himself as a hunter – Strong influence over others • Jack is seen in the right despite missed rescue due to his intelligence • Face painting • Chanting • Dancing

Chapter 5 • The Beast – “’What I mean is…maybe it’s only us’…Simon became inarticulate in his effort to express mankind’s essential illness” (89). • He understands the true beast is within them – Deeper understanding of human nature

Chapter 5 • Character Development – Ralph relies on rational speech and rules • Uses logic “you voted me chief” • Necessity of fire • Instills rules – Jack relies on popularity and excitement • Baser instinct becoming more important • Plays on emotions – Agrees that the “beast” is an animal – Gains favor of boys: adventure and authority in the hunt

Chapter 5 • Piggy and Simon – Piggy • Understands darker side of human nature – The beast » “’I’ve been in bed so much I done some thinking. I know about people. I know about me. And him. He can’t hurt you: but if you stand out of the way he’d hurt the next thing. And that’s me” (93). – Simon • Sticks up for Piggy, faints, understands human nature – “What’s the dirtiest thing there is? ” (89) – Jack makes fun of him to make the others feel better

Chapter 6 • Foreshadowing – Chapter 5 ends with wish of adults • “But a sign came down from the world of grownups, though at the time there was no child awake to read it” (95). – This sign will lead to the downfall of the boys

Chapter 6 • Theme of Fear – Jack • Wants to run out and attack the beast • “This’ll be a real hunt! Who wants to come? ” (100) – No mercy for helpless or unqualified to command (Ralph) • Brings out dictator qualities in him – Ralph • Wants to proceed with thought and caution • “So we’ve got to think” (101).

Chapter 6 • Theme of Fear – “The true nature of the beast” • “Simon, walking in front of Ralph, felt a flicker of incredulity- a beast with claws that scratched, that sat on a mountaintop, 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” (103). – Humanity as flawed by inherent evil – Simon serves as the outside, the visionary

Chapter 6 • Theme of Fear – Once Jack realizes Ralph’s leadership, he joins him • “Couldn’t let you do it on your own” (106). • Takes over with idea of fort and adventure – Undermines Ralph’s idea to light the fire – Savagery versus civilization – Ralph begins to represent the authority of back home

Chapter 6 • Character Development – “A strange thing happened in his head. Something flittered there in front of his mind like a bat’s wing, obscuring his idea” (108). • Realizes Jack is losing his humanity and he, too, is becoming savage in his attempts to survive.

Chapter 6 • Downfall of Civilization – “’I’m chief. We’ve got to make certain. Can’t you see the mountain? There’s no signal showing. There may be a ship out there. Are you all out of your rockers? ’ Mutinously, the boys fell silent or muttering. Jack led the way down the rock and across the bridge” (108). • Becomes primitive in thought of fire and rescue • Jack in hunting and the kill