How effective is it introducing the characters, concerns and language of the novel?
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Lord of the Flies by William Golding introduces characters, concerns and language of the novel in the beginning chapter. The reader is introduced to two boys, Ralph and Piggy who are survivors of a plane crash. Later on the boys find other survivors with the help of a conch. After they gather, Ralph who is now the leader takes Jack and Simon to explore the island. In his literary work, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding uses characters, concerns and language to underscore his central theme civilization versus savagery.
In terms of characters, Golding introduces Ralph, Piggy and Jack in the first chapter individually. Characters are used to underscore Golding's central theme civilization versus savagery. Accordingly the reader is introduce to Ralph, the main protagonist. Ralph gives the reader the impression of being a tall boy with fair hair. On the other hand, the second character to be introduced Piggy, is "shorter than the fair boy and very fat". On the contrary these opposites are introduce to the reader very early in order to show the differences within society. Lastly, the last main character to be introduced Jack is describe as "tall, thin and bony ... his face was crumpled and freckled, and ugly without silliness." By comparison Jack is the only character in the opening chapter who is close to the physical description of Ralph, and from the beginning is regarded as a leader.
With regard to Ralph, he seems to have taken control of the situation on the island by gathering survivors and also taking leadership among them. For example this is apparent in the text"Seems to me we ought to have a chief to decide things" (Golding, 18). This quotation shows the reader that Ralph has taken control of the situation on this island and this underscore the central theme because Ralph represents civilization. At the same time, Ralph is introduce to the reader powerful with the conch. For instance the survivors had a vote on who would be leader, and Ralph was chosen "while the most obvious leader was Jack". This example highlights that even though Ralph is not a leader, as long he holds on to the conch he is more powerful then Jack, as a result represents civilization and call attention to the central theme.
As for Piggy, who is unlike Ralph, he seems to be taking orders only from Ralph and is shown to the reader as Ralph's main man. Accordingly he follows and advices Ralph. For example, " we can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They'll come when they hear us-"(Golding, 12).This quotation highlights Piggy giving advice to Ralph. It also shows that Piggy represent intelligence which is an important aspect of civilization. In a similar manner Piggy is part of civilization because he listens to his leader: Ralph, even if it is humiliating. This is apparent in the text when Ralph gives Piggy orders " ...and anyway , I'am sorry if you feel like that. Now go back , Piggy, and take names. That's your job. So long" (Golding, 22). This example shows that even though Piggy had been humiliated in front of everyone, he still takes orders and is a part of civilization because civilization or to be civilized means doing what the leader says.
With regard to Jack, he is introducing to the reader as a strong will instinct of violence, and desire for power. In the first place, his desire of power is shown when he try to vote himself as leader. This is apparent in the text "" I ought to be chief," said Jack with simple arrogance..." (Golding, 18)This example shows Jack's arrogance and desire for power, and this represents the savagery of humans because it involves the survival of the fittest. Similarly when Jack decides the name for what he will be the leader off, the reader is introduced to Jack's desire for power: "'Jack's in charge of the choir. They can be-what do you want them to be?' 'Hunters.'"(Golding, 19) This quotation highlights jacks desire for power and its relation to the central theme because hunters are recognized as savages. Likewise another way to be savage is to be the most powerful person if planning to survive which Jack is doing by being the leader of the hunters. In addition he can be also referred savage because he is the only boy carrying a knife.
In terms of elements Golding used is concern. Similarly there are some signs that all is not well on the island and foreshadows that there will be problems. For example, the reader is introduced with the scar (crash site) and Ralph walking out of the scar and confronts an odd bird. The bird in return "emits a witch like cry". This suggests savagery will take place. In addition to that Piggy even tells Ralph that they are not in a civilized place. This was apparent in the text" We were attacked" (Golding, 2). This quotation highlights that there is a bigger predator among them, and that survival is not guaranteed for those surviving the crash. This undergoes Golding's central theme because it relates that civilization won't help you survive, and you will need to be savage in order to live.
In a similar manner to concerns, Golding uses language to underscore civilization versus savagery theme. Accordingly in the opening chapter we find Ralph, Jack and Simon exploring their new environment. They feel rather excited with their new surrounding and comments on a particular bush which Ralph Simon, and Jack makes connections. This example is shown in the text
Simon spoke first 'like candles. Candle bushes. Candle buds.'..."Jack slashed at one with his knife and the scent spilled over them.'Candle buds.' 'You couldn't light them,' said Ralph. 'They just look like candles.''Green candles,' said Jack contemptuously, 'we can't eat them.Come on' (Golding, 28)
This quotation shows that Jack once again is thinking for survival as he says you "can't eat them" which shows he resembles savagery. On the other hand Ralph and Simon makes connection to their previous civilization in which candles were used, and Ralph foreshadows that he is looking for something to "light". This tells us that Ralph does resemble civilization because he wants to return back to their civilization.
At the same time they encountered the candle bush, they came upon a pig in which they tried to kill for meat. The aftermath is apparent in the text "They knew very well why he hadn't: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood" (Golding, 29) this example highlights the boys connection to civilization, and how they failed their desire to be savage and kill the pig. This underscores Golding main theme of civilization versus savagery.
As a result, the opening chapter is effective to the reader on introducing the novel. Moreover, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding uses characters, concerns and language to underscore his central theme civilization versus savagery. Here again showing this beginning chapter was effective within the fact that it brings us some thoughts on what is going to happen, where are the adults, and how long will these boys stay civilized.
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Questions:
- Essay Feedback
You seem to be on the right track, here. Was your thesis given to you by your teacher, or can you modify it a bit. At the moment, it is a bit vague and really too broad to allow you to write a really focused, effective essay, but if your teacher provide it, you obviously can't do much about that. Otherwise, try refining it to say something specific about what Golding is trying to say about civilization versus savagery.
In fact, even if you can't change the thesis, you should still try to go into a bit more depth in your analysis of the theme. It is certainly true that Ralph represents civilized human nature, and Jack represents savage human nature, and they are undeniably opposed. But why then is Jack "the obvious leader" instead of Ralph? Likewise, you say "This quotation shows that Jack once again is thinking for survival as he says you 'can't eat them' which shows he resembles savagery" Is it really savage to think of survival when stranded on a desert island? And how many civilizations have lasted once their food supply ran out? That is, isn't a stable food supply the very basis of civilization? What then does this imply about the relationship between Ralph and Jack? Also, Piggy represent the intellect, according to you. But Ralph and Jack are also both intelligent, though less academic about it. Perhaps some Freudian psychology would be appropriate here? Piggy as superego, Ralph as ego, Jack as id. This would create a stronger framework, one that would go a long way towards allowing you to answer some of the earlier questions I posed.
Good luck on your second draft.
In a similar manner to concerns, I think that is not quite right..
I wondered about the same thing as Sean, are you required to stick to these three themes? Also, the first sentence of this essay is a little confusing; maybe you could write: From the start of the story, Golding...
Also, Piggy represent the intellect, according to you. But Ralph and Jack are also both intelligent, though less academic about it.
I think Piggy seems like the intellect that takes a back seat to brute strength; society can't benefit from intellectuals like Piggy, because at a deep level we value brute strength over intellect. Or something.
