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Chapter 8. Gift for the Darkness LORD OF THE FLIES. Recap…. Ralph and Jack report that they have seen the beast. Each perceives the beast differently.
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Chapter 8 Gift for the Darkness LORD OF THE FLIES
Recap… • Ralph and Jack report that they have seen the beast. Each perceives the beast differently. • For Ralph, it is a discovery of the realities of adulthood. He can no longer guarantee security. The mountain is no longer available for the fire. • For Jack, the beast is a tangible object. It is the enemy. The boys rally for Jack so he can take over as leader. • Jack organizes a pig hunt. Part of the kill is to be left as a gift. Simon secretly witnesses this and comes to understand that evil resides in the boys’ own natures.
Things to Notice… • 1. The beast takes on legitimacy once reported. • 2. FIRE as SYMBOL: Now a symbol of protection. It will keep away the BEAST. • 3. THEME: Breakdown of socialized behavior. To keep the boys from growing fearful, Jack diverts their attention toward a pig hunt. Note the savagery in which they hunt the sow.
Things to Notice… • 4. TABOO. Acceptable Violence. The way the female pig is killed suggests dissolution of a sexual taboo. The graphic description has sexual overtones of rape and sodomy. • 5. TABOO. “Jack.” The boys hesitate to say Jack’s name. It is as if the fear of the word is that by speaking it, the boys might summon the evil it represents. • 6. RITUAL. The Gift. Jack allows boys some control over their fears by suggesting they leave part of the kill as a “gift” for the beast.
Things to Notice… • 4. TABOO. Acceptable Violence. The way the female pig is killed suggests dissolution of a sexual taboo. The graphic description has sexual overtones of rape and sodomy. • 5. TABOO. “Jack.” The boys hesitate to say Jack’s name. It is as if the fear of the word is that by speaking it, the boys might summon the evil it represents. • 6. RITUAL. The Gift. Jack allows boys some control over their fears by suggesting they leave part of the kill as a “gift” for the beast.