Lord of the Flies Chapter Summaries free essay sample

Piggy finds a conch shell and shows Ralph how to blow it. The sound of the shell calls the boys together for assemblies and to discuss important matters. At each assembly, the boy holding the conch is the only one allowed to speak. At the assembly, Jack, Simon, and Ralph decide to explore the island. They confirm their suspicions that they are on an island. Towards the end of chapter one, the three explorers find a trapped pig. Which Jack is unable to catch and the pig gets away. Important quote: â€Å"I dont care what [you] call me as long as [its not] what they used to call me in school They used to call me Piggy! Analysis: Said by Piggy, this quote reveals his unhappy past, where he was bullied because of his chubby, â€Å"nerdy† appearance. Predictions: There will be a breakout of chaos later in the story. The island is a remote place that has many unknown factors, while the boys are not under adult’s supervision. These boys are young and inexperienced. In fact they could be in the stage of adolescence, the period of rebellious hormones, so they could be quite reckless and tend to fight for attention. Particularly some may have a stronger tendency to compete for leadership, like in this case with Ralph and Jack. Connections: This book reminds me of public schools in Vietnam, where students judge their peers base on social status and appearance, everybody belongs to different gangs. They all have leaders like Ralph, but also the bullied ones like Piggy. Settings in Lord of The Flies could also be related to other survival books like Robinson Crusoe where the main characters are isolated out in the wilderness. Evaluation: This chapter gives the readers a very good overall introduction of characters and settings. The author uses a catch, to make the audience wanting to read further more to see what will happen to the boys and their fate. Visualization: I pictured the island with sandy and rocky beaches, scattered with coconut trees. The place where the boys meet transparent aquamarine scar, to the point that you can see the weed and the coral glistening under the sunlight. The place is superbly green, everywhere trees and their own creepers, there and then a rotten trunk laying sideways on the grass. Question: Where is the boys heading to in the middle of a World War? And what are they doing on the Pacific? 5 new vocabulary words: Solemn: dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises * the judge was solemn as he pronounced sentence Scurry: to move about or proceed hurriedly * so terrified by the extraordinary ebbing of the sea that they scurried to higher ground Lagoon: small salt lake nearby the sea * lagoons are used by the locals to harvest salt Conch: a type sea shell * sound could produce by blowing to the conch Emboss: raised in a relief * she just bought some fine and embossed leather Chapter 2: The three boys (Ralph, Jack and Simon) return from their exploration and call an assembly. One of the little ones mentions a snake thing, a beastie, which sends fear throughout the group. They debate its existence and determined the little ones were having nightmares. Ralph decides they need to make a fire on the mountain as a rescue signal. They use Piggys glasses to light the fire. The fire rages out of control. One of the little one dies in the conflagration (a fancy word for large fire). Piggy and Jack argue. Important quote: Weve got to have rules and obey them. After all, were not savages. Were English, and the English are best at everything†. Analysis: This quote shows the boys are still heavily influenced by civilization (England in this case), and not yet spoiled by the savagery of human nature. Predictions: It is mentioned several times in the story that Ralph’s father is a Navy commander. He may know where the boys are and rescue them. And obviously the boys will face a lot of hardships on the island, struggling to survive. Only now did the boys realize they don’t know how to create the fire. Before that, they don’t really care and just rush to building the fire immediately. Connections: Evaluation: Visualization: Question: 5 new vocabulary words: Smirking: a smile expressing smugness or scorn instead of pleasure * He’s constantly smirking Tugging: a sudden abrupt pull He’s tugging an extremely heavy object Silhouette: an outline of a solid object (as cast by its shadow) * Silhouette is the most important component of shadow play Ebullience: overflowing with eager enjoyment or approval * He screams out loud in ebullience Hush: become quiet or still; fall silent * Hush my baby! Chapter 3: Jack is obsessed with hunting pigs although he has yet to catch one. Ralph and Simon work on the shelters for the group. Everyone else plays and enjoy their time on the beach. Jack has become savage in his quest for blood, trails a pig through the thick jungle, but it evades him. Ralph and Jack argue, because their group have unable to accomplish their tasks (hunting and building shelter). Simon wanders off, helps the little ones get fruit, and continues to an isolated location. Important quote: â€Å"There’s another thing. We can help them to find us. If a ship comes near the island they may not notice us. So we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire. Analysis: The boys are fully aware of their situation and looking for a suitable solution. They need to be rescued as soon as possible Predictions: They will have problems getting the fire to work, since they are kids. Eventually, the fire would burn out at some point in the future, by lack of maintenance. Connections: This chapter is somehow related to LOST the TV series, the episode where survivors divide their tasks, hunting and building shelters. Evaluation: Visualization: This chapter gives us a closer view towards Jack, Ralph and Simon. If I am to associate them with a color, Ralph will be yellow, with his fair hair, golden grin and good-natured humor, similar to the element of light. Jack will be red with his red-brown hair, furious eyes and hot temper, symbol for fire. Simon will be green with his gentleness and peacefulness. Question: 5 new vocabulary words: Incredulous: not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving * She incredulously reject his intentions for the future Glisten: the quality of shining with a bright reflected light * Her eyes were glistening Vicissitudes: mutability in life or nature (especially successive alternation from one condition to another) * the project was subject to the usual vicissitudes of exploratory research Inscrutable: of an obscure of nature * the inscrutable workings of Providence, in its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim origins of life Chapter 4: Roger and Maurice bully the little ones on the beach. They are still, however, held back by rules they learned in civilization. Jack paints his face for hunting. His mask liberates him from the rules of civilization. He leads the boys on a hunting expedition. As Jack and the hunters are out, a ship passes by. Ralph realizes the hunters have let the fire go out. He races to the top, but is unable to light it in time. Jack and the hunters return with a pig. Ralph blames the Jack and the hunters for letting the fire off, and starts an argument. Jack says nothing until Piggy keeps blaming him for the fire, he then proceeds punching Piggy unconsciously. One of Piggys lenses from his glasses breaks. The boys later roast the pig and have a feast. Simon shows his kindness towards Piggy, by handing his food to him, but Jack takes it and angrily throw it back to Simon. Important quote: Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. 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. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. Analysis amp; Prediction: This passage from Chapter 4 describes the beginnings of Roger’s cruelty to the little ones, an important early step in the group’s decline into savagery. At this point in the novel, the boys are still building their civilization, and the civilized instinct still dominates the savage instinct. The cracks are beginning to show, however, particularly in the willingness of some of the older boys to use physical force and violence to give themselves a sense of superiority over the smaller boys Connections: Jack’s similarity with Hitler is getting more obvious. Jack commands his own loyal group, like Hitler’s party, the Nazi. Both of them have their own target, Piggy for Jack and the Jews for Hitler. Being a soldier in WWII, Golding likely could have heard about Emil Maurice, Hitler’s personal bodyguard and one of the SS founders. It leaves the readers wondering whether or not it is a coincidence with Maurice, Jack’s choir boy. Evaluation: I like this chapter because it finally has some intense heat and situations going on. The previous chapters are more of the boys getting to know themselves and the island. Visualization: Of the picture in my head, the hunters look similar ancient hunting tribes. They both worn masks, wielded spears, had long hair and sang chants. Early hunters even drew beasts all over their bodies, hoping to scare away other beasts. Likewise, the mask has lowered their owner, at least in appearance, to the same level of that of animals. In a way, we can say that wearing a mask of Jack’s tribal design is the boy literally refusing their humane appearance. Question: Why is this island, only has green trees, birds and pigs? There should be other creatures as well, such as wolfs. 5 new vocabulary words: Obscure: not clearly understood or expressed * The stars are obscured by the clouds Carcass: the dead body of an animal, especially one slaughtered for food * The chef throws the carcass away, after taking all the meat Ungracious: lacking charm and good taste * this curt summary is not meant to be ungracious Grimace: a contorted facial expression * He grimaced when he saw the amount of chapter summaries he had to do Malevolent: wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred * failure made him malevolent toward those who were successful Chapter 5: Ralph tries to set things in order. He re-establishes rules regarding the fire and where to go to the bathroom. The subject of the beast is brought up. Jack argues the island is too small for a beast. One of the boys claims the beast comes from the sea. The boys argue. Simon suggests that they are the beast. They all make fun of him. The arguing continues. Jack storms away from the meeting with his hunters, who make horrific sounds in the darkness. Piggy begs Ralph to call them back with the conch. Important quote: â€Å"What I mean is . . . maybe it’s only us† Analysis amp; Predictions: Simon speaks these words in Chapter 5, during the meeting in which the boys consider the question of the beast. One little ones has proposed the terrifying idea that the beast may hide in the ocean during the day and emerge only at night, and the boys argue about whether the beast might actually exist. Simon, meanwhile, proposes that perhaps the beast is only the boys themselves. Although the other boys laugh off Simon’s suggestion, Simon’s words are central to Golding’s point that innate human evil exists. Simon is the first character in the novel to see the beast not as an external force but as a component of human nature. Connections: Ralph, hesitated going fully against Jack. This can be related back to the days of pre-WWII, where British leaders tried not to involve in Hitler’s invasion of Poland. They believed their actions would prevent a World war, which Hitler was going to stop at Poland. Evaluation: This chapter is quite intense. The author gives the reader more details about the fight for leadership on the island, at the same time revealing more about Ralph and Piggy, and their conversation with Simon. 5 new vocabulary words: Swell: become filled with pride, arrogance or anger * The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son Pluck: the act of pulling and releasing a taut cord he plucked the strings of his mandolin Sniff: perceive by inhaling through the nose * the sick student was sniffling in the back row Immense: unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope * the Los Angeles aqueduct winds like an immense snake along the base of the mountains Decorum: propriety in manners and conduct * Your p ersonality poses great decorum Chapter 6: A plane is shot down high above as the children sleep. A dead parachutist lands on the island, stuck in the rocks and trees. Sam amp; Eric see the dead parachutist and mistake it for the beast. The boys hunt for the beast. They cant find it. Jack thinks hes found a good fort from which to throw rocks at people. After not finding the beast, Ralph notices the fire has gone out. None of the others, especially Jack, seems to care. Important quote: there was a speck among the island, a figure dropping swiftly beneath a parachute, a figure that hung with dangling limbs Analysis: It is a dead parachutist falling from the sky, the boys mistake him as the beast. Fear grows stronger among them Predictions: Though maybe not as accommodating as the shelter, the rocks form a solid place that the boys can live compare to the weak shelters that are easy to collapse. Jack also states that the rock site will make a good â€Å"fort†. Maybe it has a possible defense advantage the boys can use to fend off the beast. Connections: The boys’ attitude towards Ralph now is similar to that of a patronizing parent. They followed out of obligations, but inside they often felt rebellious about what he said. We can see Ralph desperately repeating â€Å"I’m chief† (Golding 155) to exert control over them, which is similar a parents saying, â€Å"You do what I said because I’m your mom/dad/bigger than you†, which will lead to rebellious feelings of the boys. Evaluation: This chapter is heated with tension between Ralph and Jack. Jack’s jealousy and intentions are clearer than ever. It is also filled with suspense from the fear of the beast. Surely readers is tense at the thought of what will happen next, when the boys suddenly found the beast on the mountain-top. 5 new vocabulary words: Interminable: tiresomely long; seemingly without end * This is a an interminable sermon Contemptuously: without respect; in a disdainful manner * she spoke of him contemptuously Substantial: having a firm basis in reality and being therefore important, meaningful, or considerable * They won by a substantial margin! Constrain: restrict or hold back * The principal decides to stiffen the regulations Somberly: in a somber manner (lacking brightness or color; dull) * Thats sure bad news, said Brooke, somberly Chapter 7: The hunt for the beast continues. The boys come across a pig run and Ralph sticks a boar in the nose with a spear. The boar escapes. The boys act out a pig hunt with Robert playing the part of the pig. Even Ralph enjoys the spectacle. The quest for the beast continues until evening. Jack, Ralph, and Roger agree to scale the mountain. The three boys see the dead parachutist who they mistake for the beast and run away as fast as they can. Important quote: † Ralph found himself taking giant strides among the ashes, heard other creatures crying out and leaping and dared the impossible on the dark slope: presently the mountain was deserted, save for the three abandoned sticks and the thing that bowed†. Analysis: This quote is important because it reveals the â€Å"beast†, which is made of sticks and stones. The boys have mistaken those as a scary beast Predictions: The boys will turn more and more destructive as the novel progresses. They manage to stop their dance this time without killing Robert, but who knows if they can control themselves the next time. In addition, the fact of the beast occupying the fire pyre surely must threaten the boys’ survival and growing the fear, driven the boys to savagery Connections: Simon reminds of a book I read, Silent, which deals with the mind of introverts. The author Susan Cain describes how people who are shy towards social interaction have a much more sensitive perception than others, therefore takes an overload of information when they interact with others. She denies the idea that these people are weak and easy to intimidate. Similar to what she describes, Simon are not so good in social interactions, but he possesses a great and sensitive mind. Question: Why there is such a big misunderstanding that leads to the dead of Simon? 5 new vocabulary words: Awestricken: having or showing a feeling of mixed reverence and respect and wonder and dread * in grim despair and awestruck wonder Forearm: arm in advance of a confrontation or the part of the superior limb * He quickly lift his forearm, blocking the enemy’s attack effectively Daunting: discouraging through fear His daunting speech struck fear to the kids Fumble: feel about uncertainly or blindly * He fumbled towards the door Obtuseness: the quality of lacking a sharp edge or point * His speech is full of obtuseness Chapter 8: Jack calls a meeting, insults Ralph, and asks for Ralph to no longer be chief. Nobody else agrees. Jack, embarrassed, leaves the tribe and goes into the for est. The assembly continues. Simon suggests they go up the mountain. Piggy suggests they build the fire on the beach since the beast is on the mountain. The boys gather wood. The little one sing and dance. Roger, Bill, Maurice, and other boys escape into the woods, following Jack. Simon has also disappeared into his secret spot. The hunters track down a pig and kill it. They chop off its head and offer it to the beast as a sacrifice. Flies swarm. The hunters race back to the beach to steal fire. Simon arrives at the pigs head after the hunters have left. He imagines the pigs head is speaking to him. The pigs head tells Simon he cant escape. Jacks hunters raid Ralphs camp for fire and invite the others. Important quote: â€Å"There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the Beast. . . . Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! . . . You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are the way they are? † Analysis amp; Predictions: The Lord of the Flies speaks these lines to Simon in Chapter 8, during Simon’s vision in the glade. These words confirm Simon’s speculation in Chapter 5 that perhaps the beast is only the boys themselves. This idea of the evil on the island being within the boys is central to the novel’s exploration of innate human savagery. Evaluation: This chapter is a big ultimatum. The Lord of the Flies finally appeared and Jack is now outright opposing Ralph, proving the turning point of the ultimate confrontation of good and evil. Question: This question had been nagging in the back of my mind for a long time before this chapter. Why is Piggy so ignorant? Of all the boys, he is really an outsider, because neither he experiences the internal conflict between good and evil nor he is aware of it happening throughout the entire novel. He can always come into denial by giving an excuse when something shocking happened. A person like him, whom evil idea is totally blocked out by the aura of science and civilization, is definitely a good target for the Lord of the Flies. 5 new vocabulary words: Misguide: lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions * The pedestrian misguided the out-of-town driver Gust: a strong current of air * the tree was bent almost double by the gust Fringe: the outside boundary or surface of something * The weaver fringed the scarf Obscene: suggestive of or tending to moral looseness * the obscene massacre at Wounded Knee Crimson: characterized by violence or bloodshed writes of crimson deeds and barbaric days Andrea Parke Chapter 9: Simon passes out and wakes up. He explores, discovers the truth about the beast, and heads immediately to the beach to tell the others. Meanwhile, all the boys have left the original camp to join Jacks hunters. Even Ralph and Piggy go. Theres a dispute. It rains. Jack and his hunters begin their chant. Simon appears from th e forest. They kill him. The dead parachutist is driven by the wind, over the boys, and out to sea. After the storm ceases, the boys gather around dead Simon as his body is washed out to sea. Important quotation: surrounded by a fringe of inquisitive bright creatures, itself a silver shape beneath the steadfast constellations, Simons dead body moved out toward the open sea. Analysis: Simon is dead, he discovered and tried to explain the truth about the mysterious beast. But he got killed because of misunderstandings. The beast is a dead parachutist. Predictions: Jack is not likely to let his tribe coexists peacefully besides Ralph’s. Ralph’s faction was really doing nothing and wouldn’t plan any hostile movements while Jack was eyeing them all the time. There could be a war and if there was one, Ralph’s side would be easier to lose because already Jack’s tribe had more people. Connections: There is striking connection between Simon and Jesus. Both loved human (the Lord of the Flies stated in his only appearance that Simon like everyone, including Jack) even though this love is not returned by everyone. They both were to deliver awakening messages to rescue human from evil but were killed by their fellow men. There were also a strange sort of crown around their heads when they died (Simon being strange shining creature gathering around his head). Before this he was also the only one in the trio of the three blind mice to sway in the possibility of a beast. Evaluation: This is an intense chapter because the Lord of the Flies had fulfilled his promise, â€Å"We shall do you? See? Jack and Roger and Maurice and Robert and Bill and Piggy and Ralph. Do you† (Golding 207). With most of the boys on Jack’s side, eating the pig whom head is sacrificed to the beast, this signal the end of spirituality and conscience on the island. Question: I wonder if Lord of The Flies do exist or he’s just a pigment of imagination is Simon’s mind? 5 new vocabulary words: Jeering: showing your contempt by derision * a jeering crowd ruins the show Inquisitive: showing curiosity * the police are proverbially inquisitive Incantation: a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect * Incantation is believed to have some sort of magical effect Gibber: unintelligible talking * She gibbers†¦in silence Shriek: a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry * She shrieks out in pain! Chapter 10: Ralph, Piggy and Sam amp; Eric are the only ones left in the original tribe. Ralph and Piggy express their horror over witnessing/participating in Simons murder. Jack and his crew have taken up residence at the fort. Roger approaches and is told of one of the boys (Wilfred) being tied up and whipped. Jack and his tribe have been transformed into savages. They plot to steal fire. They raid Ralph and Piggys camp and steal Piggys glasses. Important quotation: â€Å"I know. They didn’t come for the conch. They came for something else. Ralph – what am I going to do? † Analysis: This quote shows that Jack and his hunters raid the camp just for fire. Fire is a symbol of life, and it is vital for human life and survival. And Piggy’s glass is the only thing that can create fire. Predictions: Now that Jack took away fire and created shelter within his own tribe, Ralph had lost his final advantages. Unless somehow Ralph managed to turn the table, at least getting the fire and supporters back, his faction will ceased to exist. Connections: This chapter shows the fall of goodness and the dominance of savagery on the island. Just like some post-apocalyptic movies, where human do everything they could to survive such as fighting for resources, turning them to salvage. Question: While reading this chapter, the thing that makes me wonder is how did Jack and his hunters turn into savages so fast? new vocabulary words: Snigger: a disrespectful laugh * The governor sniggers, following with crazy screams Conviction: an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence * the conviction came as no surprise Shudder: an almost pleasurable sensation of fright * The girl’s face shudders with fear Twitch: move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions * his face is twitching Luminous: softly bright or radiant * a sky luminous with stars Chapter 11: Piggy declares his intention to confront Jack and demand his glasses back. The four boys go to castle rock, conch in hand. Ralph blows the conch at the fort entrance. Ralph and Jack spar. Ralph demands Piggys glasses. Jacks savages tie up Sam amp; Eric. Piggy tries to talk sense into the savages. Roger wedges the giant rock loose. It smashes the conch and knocks Piggy off the cliff. Jack and the others throw spears at Ralph, who runs away. Important quote: The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Analysis: Piggy, a symbol of civilization is dead, and the conch, a symbol of democracy†¦smashed to pieces. All what is left, is the wilderness and savagery within the boys. Predictions: The next chapter is already the last one and it is likely Ralph will soon follow Simon’s and Piggy’s footsteps: murdered by his friends and have his body claimed by the ocean. Without Ralph, Simon and Piggy – all the rational ones – it will be hard for the boys to sustain themselves day to day and if they manage it, they will just forever live like an ancient tribe, blindly following the Lord of the Flies lead. The little ones, with no-one bothered to take care of them, would die. Question: Why do the hunters have to kill Piggy? That is completely insane, they could have negotiate in peace. 5 new vocabulary words: Propitiate: make peace with * The HooHooHaaHaa tribe propitiates with the WabaWabaWoo people Filthy: disgustingly dirty; filled or smeared with offensive matter * The room is as filthy as a pigsty Multitudinous: too numerous to be counted * Tony stood still in surprise, in front of him lies a multitudinous amount of human clones Tremble: a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement * His hands were trembling when he signed the document Devastate: cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly He was devastated by his grief when his son died Chapter 12: Ralph flees and returns at night to speak with Sam amp; Eric who are the new guards. They warn Ralph to go away. Ralph learns the tribe will hunt him the next day like a pig. Roger is sharpening a stick at both ends. Ralph hides in a thicket. One of the twins gives away Ralphs location. They eventually fill the thicket with smoke. Ralph charges out and runs for his life. The hunters pursue. Ralph notices the island has caught fire. The hunters chase Ralph down to the beach where he finds a naval officer there to rescue them. Important quote: Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of a true, wise friend called Piggy. Analysis amp; Predictions: These lines from the end of Chapter 12 occur near the close of the novel, after the boys encounter the naval officer, who appears as if out of nowhere to save them. When Ralph sees the officer, his sudden realization that he is safe and will be returned to civilization plunges him into a reflective despair. The rescue is not a moment of unequivocal joy, for Ralph realizes that, although he is saved from death on the island, he will never be the same. He has lost his innocence and learned about the evil that lurks within all human beings. 5 new vocabulary words: Scorch: a discoloration caused by heat * The wildfire scorched the forest and several homes Incomprehensible: incapable of being explained or accounted for * the most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible Ululation: a long loud emotional utterance * he gave a howl of pain Billow: move with great difficulty * The soldiers billowed across the muddy riverbed Inimical: not friendly * Holly gave him an inimical look