Blogger #23, Nadine Pedzich, Pd. 3, 11/9/21

 Blogger #23, Nadine Pedzich, Pd. 3, 11/9/21

Aim: How does William Golding draw on human nature to create complex themes as depicted in Chapter 8 of Lord of the Flies?

We started off today’s lesson by answering the Do Now of comparing and contrasting the two images, and identifying their general theme, first independently, then in a pair-share group, and then in a full class discussion. 

 

After discussing with our groups, the class agreed upon the fact that the picture on the left was a clear comparison with Lord of the Flies, with Joel pointing out a group of kids with blood markings and the pig head that was on the ground, and Kenneth mentioning that it can show their savage nature clashing the peaceful island. Ms. Peterson added that the white background contrasting the dark silhouette of the boys symbolizes the good that the boys could’ve chosen, however didn’t. 

When it came to the picture on the right, the class also agreed upon the fact that the man vs. the pig-like creature represents innocence and purity vs. savagery. Joel also made an insightful connection to Chapter 8, discussing how this is seen in the novel, with Simon going head to head with the pig head. Ms. Peterson added that this picture depicts God with the devil, showing that everyone has a choice between temptation and resistance.

The next activity planned involved answering questions about Chapter 8 that made us all think deeper into what (or who!) the Beast actually is.

Through these questions the class discovered a multitude of new insightful ways of looking at things and even led to questions we have for the future of the book. Some points made: 

The literal Beast would be the pig that Simon encountered in Chapter 8, since this is a physical and vivid representation. This contrasts what most of us believed- the Beast is the boys as they are descending into savagery. 

Edward points out that Simon knows that the Beast is not something physical, rather something innately in everyone, that one can’t escape. The ‘Beast’ in us represents savagery, fear, and even desensitization. Sachi also established that Simon knows more about this ‘Beast’ than anyone else, and has a knowledgeable understanding on a deeper level than the other boys. 

Simon’s knowledge directly contrasts Jack’s knowledge of the Beast, as he is trying to hunt for a creature, not knowing he is the contributing factor that makes up the ‘Beast.’ I shared to the class that by trying to conquer the Beast by luring it out, Jack is feeding into his savagery, therefore feeding into the ‘Beast.’ This is a deep level of irony Golding shows in the book, that we, as readers, are aware of, but Jack is not.

In regards to the level of savagery the children demonstrate, most answered saying that it is at an extremely high level, due to the occurrences in the 7th and 8th Chapters. Kenneth points out that the boys are hunting the animals in an exceedingly barbaric way as well as even recreating their hunt with Robert, leaving him powerless and hurt. This, however, as Joel pointed out, is not the highest degree of savagery the kids could go. Joel went on saying that the hunts could be justified as a means to survive- no matter how cruel they might be. Edward then adds that some of the boys are not even savage yet, for example, Piggy and Simon, who come up with rational ideas on how to survive. 

All of this simply makes us ask the question of how high of a level of savagery will the boys actually go? 

 

After discussing all of these questions, we re-read pages 134 and 135 of the novel. These pages were at the climax of the boy’s hunt targeting a sow, where they raced after the pig and started jumping on it and stabbing it to death. 

As a class, we discussed the fact that this is the second rape analogy that Golding has made in regard to the boy’s hunting. The whole description of the hunt is produced by language that symbolizes the boys’ higher power dynamic over the pig. Golding uses phrases like “wedded to her in lust,” “they were heavy and fulfilled upon her,” “found a lodgement for his point,” “‘Right up her ass!’,” and even uses female pronouns on the pig, that is meant to obviously symbolize this savage rape symbolism, and just how relentless they were in this pursuit. The fact that the prey was a sow (a mother pig), also shows just how cruel of an act the boys engaged in (taking a mother away from her babies). 

 

Bringing us back to Freshman year, Ms. Peterson then asked us to find the juxtaposition within these pages of Chapter 8. To jog one’s memory, juxtaposition is the author’s placement of two things together to bring out their striking differences.

The juxtaposition in this section would be the contrasting of the scenic and peaceful setting to the cruel murder of the sow. For example, “They were right behind her when she staggered into an open space where bright flowers grew and butterflies danced round each other and the air was hot and still” (135). 

This, however, is not the only time where juxtaposition is used. Golding actually sprinkled it throughout the chapters of the novel to symbolize just how unsafe the island is. For example, in Chapter 1 the coconuts are described as being “skull like,” foreshadowing the menacing nature of the island (10). 

Ms. Peterson concluded the lesson by leaving us with the thought that the ‘Beast’ can even connect to real life when sometimes one who is seen as innocent does a savage or unthinkable thing that is out of character for them. Each and every one of us has this ‘Beast”’ inside of us- whether or not it’ll come out is the question for us all to ask ourselves. 

Reflection: 

Today’s lesson helped me further understand the theme of Lord of the Flies and how it relates to humanity and the modern day. Through understanding that the Beast is not a physical creature, but rather the complexities of temptations and savagery within us all, I am able to better understand Golding’s point of view as well as his purpose for writing this book. Golding’s analogies and hidden juxtaposition also play a role in the understanding of the book, making it vital to close read if one wants a full grasp of the complex meaning behind the story. For example, one moment in the book that the hidden meaning shocked me was when the boys were hunting the sow. The rape analogy was very unexpected for me, however the more I listened to the discussion in class, the more I understood and gained a deeper perspective on not only the characters, but also Golding’s small jabs towards society that are scattered all throughout the novel. With what I learned today, I ask myself questions about what will happen further in the book, as well as how it can relate to me, and the world itself. 

I can use what I learned through this lesson when reading other complicated novels. I can apply my close reading skills, which I greatly improved upon this lesson, and find profound messages the author is trying to convey, as well as pick up on additional figurative language such as juxtaposition and symbolism. Mrs. Peterson greatly helped the class apply connections to the real world that will definitely be a useful skill when reading books because it opens the door to new perspectives that the reader may have not ever experienced.