How does this story relate to my life? Also why does it relate to my life in such way? How much is this story relevant to my life?
How much this story relates to my life depends on how well I would apply the theme of this book, “Lord of the Flies.” The theme contains a great lesson that we all can learn from, however, unless I come across with a distinguished, unique lesson that may be hidden within the theme, the relation between the story and my life would not be relevant. For I discovered throughout the story that the human beings are not created to be perfect but have inborn traits of pure evilness, I learned that I would need to recognize the sins that I may commit and always think deeply before action. Each characters play different roles that represent the traits exist within human beings, who include me as well; therefore I see that this story is considerably relevant to my life. Despite the fact that I am not struck on a deserted island, the characteristics that each characters demonstrate applies to me too. The desire to rule over the others, cruelty, evilness, fear, anxiety, and morality – these are the traits that I also possess as well as the characters from the story. For I share similar characteristics with the children on the island in the story, my life relates to the story. Also, from a religious perspective, my life and the story are relatively similar. The reason being is that the children go through many harsh challenges, whether mentally or physically, while waiting for their rescue, while I struggle with challenges that I encounter in my life waiting for God to save me. The challenges that I may face would necessarily be similar to the challenges that the children had to face. As we learn something more about what we want from the struggles the children and I faced, those struggles are somewhat similar to each other.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Question 7
Are there any settings in this novel which you have found to be beautiful? Or disturbing? Or memorable? Describe these settings and comment on why they were meaningful to you.
Settings are important to understand the mood, events, and characteristics of characters. To understand further about the story, it is critical to fully comprehend the settings around the characters because they are one of the crucial factors that affect the behavior of the characters which then affect the story. In the story of ‘Lord of the Flies,’ the most memorable setting throughout the story, to me, was the place where the dead pig’s head was placed on a stick. As this place was very significant because important events happen from this place, for instance, it was the place where the climax had taken place. Personally, I found this setting somewhat disturbing since the dead pig’s head being placed on a stick which was done by an unfortunate group of children on the island disgusted me. However, as I went thoroughly into the story, I realized that this was a representation for the great fear of the children and also of which belonged to human beings. The dead pig’s head was located in the middle of the forest, full of darkness, confusion, and anxiety. The reason why this setting was important was because it helped me greatly to comprehend the theme further since the setting was completely filled with darkness that could be referred as fear. In addition, the fact that the children not only killed the pig but also beheaded the pig and had put it on a stick seemed devastating to me, thus the setting was memorable as well as being significant.
Settings are important to understand the mood, events, and characteristics of characters. To understand further about the story, it is critical to fully comprehend the settings around the characters because they are one of the crucial factors that affect the behavior of the characters which then affect the story. In the story of ‘Lord of the Flies,’ the most memorable setting throughout the story, to me, was the place where the dead pig’s head was placed on a stick. As this place was very significant because important events happen from this place, for instance, it was the place where the climax had taken place. Personally, I found this setting somewhat disturbing since the dead pig’s head being placed on a stick which was done by an unfortunate group of children on the island disgusted me. However, as I went thoroughly into the story, I realized that this was a representation for the great fear of the children and also of which belonged to human beings. The dead pig’s head was located in the middle of the forest, full of darkness, confusion, and anxiety. The reason why this setting was important was because it helped me greatly to comprehend the theme further since the setting was completely filled with darkness that could be referred as fear. In addition, the fact that the children not only killed the pig but also beheaded the pig and had put it on a stick seemed devastating to me, thus the setting was memorable as well as being significant.
Question 6
Please choose one passage from the novel that is significant to you. Why is this passage meaningful? Please type it into one of your entries and comment on what you think about the passage.
In general, books or novels contain stories that are organized and planned out based on the theme, a purpose of writing for the authors. As they are written based on the theme, some passages in the book can mean immense significance to the readers. Throughout the story of ‘Lord of the Flies,’ I also found a passage that was an impact on my identity thus it was significant to me. The passage reads: “There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the Beast.” and “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!” For I have discovered that the Beast represented the fears that were latent inside of us, this passage effectively reminded me that, as human beings are not created to be perfect, we live with fears. This passage also reminded me that the fears that are hidden inside of me are not emotions that would easily be destroyed or forgotten – it takes time to overcome them because it is very challenging. In addition, the passage is the part of the climax which contained the theme of this book, therefore the passage was very important to know and understand. The reason being is that it reveals hugely about the nature of fears within human beings, which does not seem very obvious but confusing. Providing that we have understood the passage and are able to apply what we learned to our lives, overcoming the fears that we may encounter in our lives would be straightforward.
In general, books or novels contain stories that are organized and planned out based on the theme, a purpose of writing for the authors. As they are written based on the theme, some passages in the book can mean immense significance to the readers. Throughout the story of ‘Lord of the Flies,’ I also found a passage that was an impact on my identity thus it was significant to me. The passage reads: “There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the Beast.” and “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!” For I have discovered that the Beast represented the fears that were latent inside of us, this passage effectively reminded me that, as human beings are not created to be perfect, we live with fears. This passage also reminded me that the fears that are hidden inside of me are not emotions that would easily be destroyed or forgotten – it takes time to overcome them because it is very challenging. In addition, the passage is the part of the climax which contained the theme of this book, therefore the passage was very important to know and understand. The reason being is that it reveals hugely about the nature of fears within human beings, which does not seem very obvious but confusing. Providing that we have understood the passage and are able to apply what we learned to our lives, overcoming the fears that we may encounter in our lives would be straightforward.
Question 5
What is the mood of this novel? Do you find this novel saddens you in any way? Why?
As literature is also a piece of art, the mood is considered to be one of the essential components of the piece of writing. In general, the mood of this book, ‘Lord of the Flies,’ is depressing and somewhat desperate, for survival. As the background is set to be the deserted island, the main characters, who are children, some excitements and happiness can be seen throughout the story. Furthermore, the period of time when the children were on the island was during a raging war, therefore the first part of the novel is full of confusion, fear as well as excitements of being separated from the grownups. However, as the story advanced, the more and more the fear started to overwhelm the minds of the children, the mood gradually changes towards depression, fear, sadness, and confusion.. The small amount of information gathered on the Beast and the Lord of the Flies also frustrated and made the children feel anxious. In addition, many disastrous that occurred around them significantly changed the mood into even deeper depression, frustration, fear and confusion.
To me, the situations that the children had to face and the mood that they have created does sadden me. The reason being is that not only does it reveal who we, human beings, actually are but also for the fact that I feel sympathy for the children on the island. Additionally, for the fact that the innocent children became savage due the environment saddened me as well.
As literature is also a piece of art, the mood is considered to be one of the essential components of the piece of writing. In general, the mood of this book, ‘Lord of the Flies,’ is depressing and somewhat desperate, for survival. As the background is set to be the deserted island, the main characters, who are children, some excitements and happiness can be seen throughout the story. Furthermore, the period of time when the children were on the island was during a raging war, therefore the first part of the novel is full of confusion, fear as well as excitements of being separated from the grownups. However, as the story advanced, the more and more the fear started to overwhelm the minds of the children, the mood gradually changes towards depression, fear, sadness, and confusion.. The small amount of information gathered on the Beast and the Lord of the Flies also frustrated and made the children feel anxious. In addition, many disastrous that occurred around them significantly changed the mood into even deeper depression, frustration, fear and confusion.
To me, the situations that the children had to face and the mood that they have created does sadden me. The reason being is that not only does it reveal who we, human beings, actually are but also for the fact that I feel sympathy for the children on the island. Additionally, for the fact that the innocent children became savage due the environment saddened me as well.
Question 4
What is the climax of this novel? What happens? How do the events of this novel make you feel?
Every story has certain sequential order of events. Among the parts of this sequential order is the climax, which is considered the most essential part of the story and usually includes a theme of the story. In this novel, ‘Lord of the Flies,’ the climax is when Simon hears the Lord of the Flies speaking to him about its existence and the truth behind the misconceptions. When Simon went to see the Lord of the Flies, he hears a voice, which he assumes to be uttered from the Lord of the Flies. He was terribly shocked when the voice clarified that it belonged to the Lord of the Flies since it would be impossible for a dead pig’s head to speak or even utter any forms of sound. The Lord of the Flies states that the Beast that existed supposedly on the island does not exist; however, it was him who was the Beast, and he was the fear within the boys that created such creature like the Beast. Moreover, the fear which overwhelmed the boys minds, had gained the power over their thoughts as well, therefore a chaos was formed. After Simon realized the truth about the existence of the Beast and the Lord of the Flies, he tried to convey the truth to the others who were no longer innocent children, thus he faced his early death savagely from his very own kind. This event made me feel upset and ashamed of myself because the truth was never obtained thus the fear still ruled over the children, also, this event seemed significant to me as it reminded me that sometimes even myself let the fear control over me. As being a human being, I realized that we were not created to be perfect, therefore sometimes the environment and events around us reveal the fear inside of us and let it control over our thoughts and minds. Because we were not created in a perfect manner, we can not make perfect decisions nor do we perfectly live our lives. We can make mistakes.
Every story has certain sequential order of events. Among the parts of this sequential order is the climax, which is considered the most essential part of the story and usually includes a theme of the story. In this novel, ‘Lord of the Flies,’ the climax is when Simon hears the Lord of the Flies speaking to him about its existence and the truth behind the misconceptions. When Simon went to see the Lord of the Flies, he hears a voice, which he assumes to be uttered from the Lord of the Flies. He was terribly shocked when the voice clarified that it belonged to the Lord of the Flies since it would be impossible for a dead pig’s head to speak or even utter any forms of sound. The Lord of the Flies states that the Beast that existed supposedly on the island does not exist; however, it was him who was the Beast, and he was the fear within the boys that created such creature like the Beast. Moreover, the fear which overwhelmed the boys minds, had gained the power over their thoughts as well, therefore a chaos was formed. After Simon realized the truth about the existence of the Beast and the Lord of the Flies, he tried to convey the truth to the others who were no longer innocent children, thus he faced his early death savagely from his very own kind. This event made me feel upset and ashamed of myself because the truth was never obtained thus the fear still ruled over the children, also, this event seemed significant to me as it reminded me that sometimes even myself let the fear control over me. As being a human being, I realized that we were not created to be perfect, therefore sometimes the environment and events around us reveal the fear inside of us and let it control over our thoughts and minds. Because we were not created in a perfect manner, we can not make perfect decisions nor do we perfectly live our lives. We can make mistakes.
Question 3
Who are the main characters in the novel? Do you like them? Why or why not? What is special about them? What do they reveal about the universal human experience?
The main characters affect the plot enormously. In the story of ‘Lord of the Flies,’ Ralph, a protagonist of the story, Jack, an antagonist, Simon, and Piggy are the main characters that influenced the storyline. Each of them has different traits or characteristics. Most important are the characteristics of Ralph and of Jack since they are two major characters and completely oppose to one another. Personally, I prefer Ralph to Jack because Ralph demonstrated pure leadership and was exemplary to the boys, whereas Jack abused his new powers and became nothing but a barbarian who acted savagely, eventually resulting an accidental murder of an innocent kid. Besides his leadership, I was impressed and surprised to be relaxed and calm in a situation in which he was fortunately survived, otherwise dead from the plane crash. In addition, it was during the war, and the boys were being transferred to the safe place separated from their parents; however Ralph did not fail to be a leader among the scared, afraid children. Jack, also, was an experienced leader of a choir thus he also acted as a leader, yet desperation for the authority and power eventually revealed our sinful nature. Therefore, I do not like Jack as much. While Jack revealed our very savage nature, Ralph was a representation of morality. He formed a civilization by listening to the boys and decided what was right and wrong.
The main characters affect the plot enormously. In the story of ‘Lord of the Flies,’ Ralph, a protagonist of the story, Jack, an antagonist, Simon, and Piggy are the main characters that influenced the storyline. Each of them has different traits or characteristics. Most important are the characteristics of Ralph and of Jack since they are two major characters and completely oppose to one another. Personally, I prefer Ralph to Jack because Ralph demonstrated pure leadership and was exemplary to the boys, whereas Jack abused his new powers and became nothing but a barbarian who acted savagely, eventually resulting an accidental murder of an innocent kid. Besides his leadership, I was impressed and surprised to be relaxed and calm in a situation in which he was fortunately survived, otherwise dead from the plane crash. In addition, it was during the war, and the boys were being transferred to the safe place separated from their parents; however Ralph did not fail to be a leader among the scared, afraid children. Jack, also, was an experienced leader of a choir thus he also acted as a leader, yet desperation for the authority and power eventually revealed our sinful nature. Therefore, I do not like Jack as much. While Jack revealed our very savage nature, Ralph was a representation of morality. He formed a civilization by listening to the boys and decided what was right and wrong.
Question 2
Are there are any current situations in the world that relate to the novel? What are they, and how do they relate? Does the novel shed any light on how current situations could be resolved or 'fixed'?
This book ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding was written during a period of raging war, therefore it is influenced by the war environment. Currently, there is a war going on between Iraq and United States of America along with its union of few countries which dispatch their troops to Iraq. Under severe conditions in war, children suffering from the war environment would likely to face such challenges like the challenges that the characters from ‘Lord of the Flies’ had to face. Some would become savage due to the murderous acts occur during the war because, sooner or later, the children would be familiarized by them. The others may become psychologically challenged and would suffer it. This current situations what happen in Iraq is relevant to the story of ‘Lord of the Flies’ since the innocent children are suffering from the disastrous events during the war, therefore they would eventually find their inner evilness hidden inside of them by becoming more familiar to the sins being committed. The book ‘Lord of the Flies’ criticizes those sins being committed due to our inborn nature of evilness and even human beings for having no bright future because of our inherited, inborn wickedness within us, existing simultaneously with morality. However, this book does not necessarily suggest a solution which would enhance the nature of being sinful, yet the theme it contains generates us to think about our nature of being sinful and to make appropriate choices.
This book ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding was written during a period of raging war, therefore it is influenced by the war environment. Currently, there is a war going on between Iraq and United States of America along with its union of few countries which dispatch their troops to Iraq. Under severe conditions in war, children suffering from the war environment would likely to face such challenges like the challenges that the characters from ‘Lord of the Flies’ had to face. Some would become savage due to the murderous acts occur during the war because, sooner or later, the children would be familiarized by them. The others may become psychologically challenged and would suffer it. This current situations what happen in Iraq is relevant to the story of ‘Lord of the Flies’ since the innocent children are suffering from the disastrous events during the war, therefore they would eventually find their inner evilness hidden inside of them by becoming more familiar to the sins being committed. The book ‘Lord of the Flies’ criticizes those sins being committed due to our inborn nature of evilness and even human beings for having no bright future because of our inherited, inborn wickedness within us, existing simultaneously with morality. However, this book does not necessarily suggest a solution which would enhance the nature of being sinful, yet the theme it contains generates us to think about our nature of being sinful and to make appropriate choices.
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