Aim: How does the symbolism depicted in Lord of the Flies contribute to Golding's comment on the human condition?
For the Do-Now: we had 1 minute to speak about any part of Chapter 9 of “Lord of the Flies”. Our teammates were to listen, and we rotated after each person.
Jayden was the first to speak, and he began by mentioning the shock of Simon's death. He stated how the storm that prefaced it set the mood, with phrases like “The blue white scar was constant, the noise unendurable”. It created a raged, frenzied atmosphere, as well as the chant “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!”, which also foreshadows the coming murder.
I added that the author used imagery to delineate the split of the lightning, illustrating the shattering or loss of something. I also mentioned that the way Jack was venerated among the entire group showed tyrannical elements, going back to Golding's World War II allegory, that we discussed last week. The text states, “...Jack rose from the log that was his throne…”.
Akshitha added that the massacre shows the boy's descent into savagery, and that the power of a mob is what tempted Ralph and Piggy to take part in the vicious act. She also mentioned that the boy's leadership qualities are further developed, especially in the evident difference between Ralph and Jack’s rule. Ralph acts as a leader where Jack acts as a dictator, despite being very charismatic. She also mentioned how the way the author refers to Simon as “the beast” created an interesting use of point of view.
Milana discussed how the dead body hanging from the parachute may have foreshadowed Simon's death as well. She stated that it might have been a turning point and suggested an absolute collapse of society.
Mengling added that the boys didn’t even think twice before they killed Simon, and how that was especially surprising about Ralph and Piggy, since they resemble the voices of leaders and wisdom.
After the teams finished sharing, the discussion was opened to the whole class.
Other teams mentioned how shocking Simon's death was, more so in the way he died than the fact than his actual death. As a class, we all agreed on the way it illustrated decline and loss of humanity within the civilization. Another student brought up that power of a mob mentality, and the importance of Ralph and Piggy partaking in the “massacre”. Ahmad stated how Simon was killed in the harshest way possible, and how that added to the theme of savagery. He was killed without any form of rational context; the boys’ major purpose in killing him was to unify. Another student added that the “Lord of the Flies” has been repeated several times throughout the chapter, and could symbolize the boy's inner darkness.
After this discussion, Ms. Peterson presented three images to us:
The first was an American flag, which as a class, we agreed symbolized freedom, bravery, purity, liberty, nationalism, and patriotism.
The second image was a Buddhist symbol, but some teams misinterpreted it as a swastika. Teams that saw it as a Buddhist symbol associated it with peace and serenity.
On the contrary, teams that incorrectly saw it as a swastika associated it with oppression and anger.
The middle image was later changed to the actual swastika, and we recognized how the physical change of something can give it a completely different meaning.
The last image was the Yin and Yang, which we connected to daoism, balance, good in evil, and evil in good.
Circling back to the American flag, Ms. Peterson proposed the following question: If we showed this image to someone from another country, how would they feel?
Ben answered, saying that they might feel resentment. Some countries have lost wars to the United States, for example, and that might have created tensions that some people still hold, especially given national pride.
We then reviewed the meaning of Symbolism.
Symbolism: conscious use of symbols, objects, actions or characters meant to be taken literally and as a representation of a higher complex and abstract significance.
We also briefly reviewed a notetaking method: FOIL
Focused
On point
Important info
List example
We read pages 152-154 (paperback) of Lord of the Flies.
While Ms. Peterson read the chant, she stomped. She told us that we were welcome to chime in.
We then discussed (within our teams): Based on characterization, setting, and tone, how can Simon's death be symbolically perceived?
Ms. Peterson first noted the theme of nature, and nature's indifference. We added by stating that the way Simon was carried away by the ocean gives the notion that “life moves on”.
We also discussed the juxtaposition in the serenity of Simon's body moving out to the sea. A tranquil, almost heavenly mood was set. Words like “water”, “lifted”, “softly”, “constellations”, and “silver” help set this mood. Emily noticed that the way Simon was carried out into the open sea might be a religious allegory. He is described as a christ-like figure, and the word choice of the setting also gives this impression.
Whole Group Discussion
How is symbolism used in Chapter 9? How does it apply to the human condition?
Through a symbolic lens, my group and I noted how the storm could have symbolized doom within their group. My group also discussed how Ralph and Piggy may have wanted to participate in the mob to feel part of a community. We also shared how emotions can certainly be contagious, and the rage and fervor of this event might have easily spread to the boys.
The discussion was opened up to the whole class:
We then discussed why the boys might have acted in this frenzied way, and came to the conclusion that it related back to peer pressure. Emily mentioned that uncertainty makes people want to stick as packs and join the mob mentality. Certainty gives people authority, and people are more likely to listen based on how one delivers themselves.
Yanna also added that people with fear resort to whoever seems certain and fearless.
Ms. Peterson brought up that no one stomped and chanted while she read. Even now, humans are naturally drawn to fitting in with others. This is also part of the Human Condition.
Human Condition: the way we interact, what makes us human.
What does it mean to be human?
My group and I found that part of what it means to be human is that we like to unify and emulate one another, whether it's for approval or security. As “Lord Of the Flies” tells us, we do what it takes to fit in, even if sometimes it's inhumane.
Ms. Peterson then asked the following question: What is the difference between a symbol and a motif?
I suggested that a symbol can have several meanings whereas a motif has one, recurring theme. A symbol can change meaning over time, whereas a motif is generally static.
Then, as a class, we discussed some examples of symbols in Lord of the Flies, and how their physical changes illustrate a change in meaning.
Conch: At the beginning of the novel, the conch had symbolized authority. It gave a person the power to speak in a group. It also symbolized communication, civilization and leadership. It was described with a positive connotation, using phrases like “cream-colored shell”.
At this point in the novel (chapter 9), the conch is being described as translucent. This might suggest a loss of structure and civilization. Color could have shown the strength and ardency of a leader, which is now fading away.
In addition to being a symbol, the conch is also a motif because it repeats to show a recurring theme.
Piggy's glasses: helps him see through a rational lens. His glasses breaking (getting destroyed little by little) shows the deterioration of reason.
Beasty- evolved from a creature on the island into Simon himself. This may symbolize that the boys’ greatest danger changed from nature to them, themselves.
Reflection:
Today's lesson gave me an understanding of the human condition and what we naturally seek, as well as the importance of symbols and how subtle physical changes can transform their meaning. An understanding of the human condition is important not only in school but in the real world, where human tendencies are just as prevalent as they are in “Lord Of the Flies”. When we read the passage about Simon's death, everyone was peer pressured into silence and refrained from chanting. This has distinct and yet ironic parallels with the mob mentality of the boys massacre toward the beast, or Simon. Much to our surprise, some of the characters who had been developed as emblems of logic and reason, hadn’t any hesitation to the savage act. Their sole reason for partaking in it was due to their instinct for fitting in, and ultimately the frenzied atmosphere that was created by this. What is more interesting is that this notion reappears on a daily basis in the real world, and almost all of our actions are, in some way, a result of peer pressure. Furthermore, changes in perspective or subtle changes in the physical appearance of a symbol can revolutionize its significance. When the image changed from the Buddhist symbol to the swastika, our mood towards the image changed from lighthearted and serene to very dark. Likewise, when the idea of showing the American flag to a foreigner was proposed, we agreed that they might feel resentment or perhaps envy, contrary to the general pride that we feel. We also saw this in “Lord of the Flies”, and how the loss of the conches' color and vibrancy aligns with a loss in civilization and order among the boys. Symbols and images are very evident in our society, especially given the media that we use daily. Overall, today's lesson gave me insight on the human condition and on the effect that an image or symbol can have on us, which are tools to understanding how we interact and perceive things in the real world.
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