Summary of Chapter 8:
News of the beast spreads and Jack takes the conch shell and blows into it, and calls for an assembly. Jack tells the others that there is definitely a beast on the mountain and goes on to claim that Ralph is a coward who should be removed from his leadership role. The other boys, however, refuse to vote Ralph out of power. Enraged, Jack storms away from the group, saying that he is leaving and that anyone who likes is welcome to join him. Ralph is sad at the idea of his group splitting but Piggy comforts Ralph by giving him the idea of building another fire on the beach. The boys set to work and build a new fire, but many of them sneak away into the night to join Jack’s group. Jack declares himself the chief of his group. As hunters, they kill a pig. The boys leave the pig’s head on a stick in the jungle as an offering to the beast. Jack tells Ralph and his group that they are welcome to come to his feast that night and even to join his tribe. Meanwhile, Simon wants to climb the mountain to find the beast. However, no one agrees to go along with him. So, he goes alone. Upon climbing, Simon sees the pig’s head, which is now swarming with flies. Simon begins to imagine that the pig (Lord of the Flies) is talking to him. The Lord of The Flies has a conversation with Simon.
Close Reading: (page 139-140)
This passage (page 139-140) is significant because it shows how the group is falling apart, and how Ralph’s leadership is unsuccessful. Jack leaves the group and decides to make his own. Jack’s ability to finally become chief gives him the liberation to act however he wants. The evil within him is unleashed. This passage also illustrates tribalism at its best. The groups/tribes are apparent now as Jack has fully declared that he is leaving Ralph’s group. This allows for the conflict of civilization and savagery since Jack prioritizes hunting, while Ralph prioritizes keeping the signal fire alive for rescue. The conflict between Jack and Ralph increases.
· What literary devices were employed? (Symbolism, imagery, allegory etc….)
- Alliteration
“Simon came stealing out of the shadows by the shelters” (138)
- Dramatic Irony
“—You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? (158)
The beast tells Simon that he is a part of him. Golding is trying to state that savagery is the natural state of human beings and that it exists in all. There is dramatic irony because the reader (and Simon) understand that the evil is within the boys. Only the other boys aren’t aware of the fact that the beast isn’t real and that it is only something within them. Simon continues to be the only selfless one.
- Simile
“High up among the bulging clouds thunder went off like a gun.”
Allegory:
This chapter makes the allegory more clear. The longer they remain on the island, the farther away they get from their civilized selves. For example, Jack’s increasing aggressiveness and savagery is evident as he kills another pig. His character is becoming increasingly violent. Meanwhile, Simon still represents goodness and is the only one who hasn’t been plagued by savagery. Piggy continues to represent intellect as he offers an idea to build the fire on the beach, so they can be rescued. The new addition of the beast (lord of the flies) represents their inherent evil that exists in each and everyone one.
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