Although Ralph is arguably the main character in the novel, one must look at Jack to see what role Ralph plays within the story. It is Jack that contrasts Ralph and makes him stand out as the lead character. Jack’s personality and actions that make him Ralph’s foil character.
In chapter four the hunters “let the fire out” ( Golding 71) while a ship is passing by their island. It immediately becomes apparent that Jack told his hunters to leave the fire so that he “could have them in the hunt” (73). This distresses Ralph because he is only interested in the practical things that will get them rescued; Jack is much more carefree, his interests are in hunting. In this case Jacks contrast of Ralph makes Jack seem to be almost evil, and Ralph becomes elevated to the reader as responsible leader of the children.
The contrast between Jack and Ralph also helps to illustrate a common theme in the novel. Jack and Ralph represent the struggle that Golding believes people have between good and evil. Jack valiantly describes how he “Cut[s] the pig[s] throat” (Golding 79) and how “blood spilled out” (78); Ralph halts his speech and immediately calls a meeting to discus the situation on the island. While Ralph is making a speech about the need for rules Jack loudly proclaims “Bollocks to the rules” (99), Ralph can only respond with “the rules are the only thing we’ve got” (99). This demonstrates what Golding believes to be the true nature of the human spirit. Through his contrast of the characters Ralph and Jack, Golding is saying that these boys are becoming more and more barbaric without human civilization.
The theme about human nature became fist apparent in the first three chapters, and was clearly established in chapters five and six. I believe that this theme will be instrumental in the development of the novel, it will be interesting to see how Golding develops it in the following chapters.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
1-3
Throughout the first three chapters setting is used to establish the overall plot of the book. Setting is literally what creates the situation that the children are facing as well as preparing for, and symbolizing many of the reoccurring themes within the story. Golding’s use of imagery greatly contributes to the overall feel of the setting and the novel.
The setting establishes a sense of hopelessness in the children during the first few chapters that will continue throughout the book, at first the children feel the need to search the island looking for a means of escape. When they discover that they are in fact on an island some of the children immediately give up and spend their days “lounging around”(Golding 51). However, some of the characters like Ralph, Simon, and Jack begin to work at “creating shelter”(50) and “hunting”(49) for food. In this way the main characters are firmly established.
Certain objects in the setting begin to symbolize certain themes within the story. On the first page the crash site is referred to as a “scar in the jungle”(Golding 1), and the undergrowth is described as being “creep[y]”(1). When the children reach the beach they notice beautiful “coral reef[s]”(4) and palatial lagoons. The contrasting imagery establishes the theme of fear in the unknown. When Ralph discovers the conch and sounds it for the first time the children are drawn to it. Later on in the novel, it is decided that only the person with the conch in their hands may speak; immediately associating the conch with leadership. Finally, the grassy platform becomes a symbol for safety as the children begin to explore the island. While on the platform the character Piggy is “not interrupted”(31), however off of the platform Jack and the rest of the children “fiercely”(42) tell “shut up”(42). The idea of safety in the platform is also demonstrated when the young ones run to it as a place of refuge when they say the saw a monster.
It should be interesting to see how these early setting themes will impact the outcome of the novel.
The setting establishes a sense of hopelessness in the children during the first few chapters that will continue throughout the book, at first the children feel the need to search the island looking for a means of escape. When they discover that they are in fact on an island some of the children immediately give up and spend their days “lounging around”(Golding 51). However, some of the characters like Ralph, Simon, and Jack begin to work at “creating shelter”(50) and “hunting”(49) for food. In this way the main characters are firmly established.
Certain objects in the setting begin to symbolize certain themes within the story. On the first page the crash site is referred to as a “scar in the jungle”(Golding 1), and the undergrowth is described as being “creep[y]”(1). When the children reach the beach they notice beautiful “coral reef[s]”(4) and palatial lagoons. The contrasting imagery establishes the theme of fear in the unknown. When Ralph discovers the conch and sounds it for the first time the children are drawn to it. Later on in the novel, it is decided that only the person with the conch in their hands may speak; immediately associating the conch with leadership. Finally, the grassy platform becomes a symbol for safety as the children begin to explore the island. While on the platform the character Piggy is “not interrupted”(31), however off of the platform Jack and the rest of the children “fiercely”(42) tell “shut up”(42). The idea of safety in the platform is also demonstrated when the young ones run to it as a place of refuge when they say the saw a monster.
It should be interesting to see how these early setting themes will impact the outcome of the novel.
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