HELP PLEASE!lotf

sorry that took so long, i was reviewing my notes

Can you explain 2 and 3 more fully please?

do you have a messanger service we could chat on maybe? i think it might be easier and a little quicker

2. the fear of the unknown can 1.) make us more spiritual, sensible, morally incline. Such as Simon- even though he descovered the unknown right before being murdered- was spiritual. He wasnt afraid to die. He was the only one that went towards the beast then ran away from and feared. Ralph- was sensible. Yes this unknown beast is out there, but as long as we stay away and do right we will be okay. The fear can also cause emotional distress- hystiracle frenzy. Cause you to do things you normally wouldnt do.

The unknown doesnt have to be the "beast" however. It can be the fear of the unknown certainty of survival, unknown inner self, rescue, etc. Either way not knowing, uncertainty effects people.

3. the wars within the book. The obvious war is between Ralph and Jack. Ralph rules in a democratic way. Yes there is rules, but you chose to follow them. The other boys were free to speak, act, do, etc. As to Jack who ruled with a dictatorship or tyrancy. He was the boss.. what he said went. no one to his equal, he was the highest/best.
This war was the result of the two of them fighting for cheif. Jack wanted it, Ralph got it. Jack breaks away from Ralphs rule with his choir boys and the hunters/murders are now there own little society. The war between these two is also an example of good vs. evil. Ralph being the good and Jack the evil. Many examples in the book. Also land Jack wanted to be the sole ruler. It was to be his island under his rule.

are the ironies worthy of mentioning?
Some examples that were just brought to my attention by another poster: The fact that the boys were being moved to safety from war, only to be involved in a plane crash and experiencing their own war


Or the irony of Ralph asking for "a sign" from the grown-up world, and his answer comes to them in the form of a shot-down airman from the war they were avoiding.

I SWEAR!!! i cant do this bleeping thesis! ive been at it since like 8 last night.. its 5 in the morning... someone please put me out of my emotion missory and i dont know... shoot me!

You're still trying to do this without sleep? You need some rest. Let your mind work on what you've discussed here and think about it - not intensely or you won't sleep - as you are readying yourself to sleep. When you wake, go over the main ideas again.

I'm sorry I can't help with the details of the novel because my knowledge of it is very poor but try to relax. You've got time to finalise your paper before it's due so try not to get too worked up over it. I know, easy for me to say but I know what you're going through and I sympathise with you. But do try to relax and think about it gently, not too intensely.

What do you think "the beast" is?

(Bear in mind I haven't read the book for DECADES!!!....so take me with many a grain of salt!)


I think it is ourselves....our basic nature, and that none of the characters deal with it well.

Piggy denies it.


Ralph tries to rationalize it.


Jack et al worship it.


Simon...not sure what he tries to do......sacrifice himself to it? Transcend it??? What do you think?



What is the best attitude to our most basic nature do you think?


I think of the ancient Greek axiom..."know thyself"...I think the best reaction is to face, understand, acknowledge and not be overly swayed, whether to religious frenzy (be it abnegation or worship of the "beast"...the reactions pertaining to the alleged dualism of human nature, you know, god or devil, Jack or Simon) of demonizing or embracing this part of ourselves.


I wonder if it as a sign of Golding's then youth as a writer that he gives no hint (as I see it) of a character who can deal with balance with the conflicting pulls of their nature? Who neither denies, falls prey to it, nor loses touch with humanity?

The rescuing adults are lost in denial, unable to see their own thrall to "savagery".