The beast in Lord of the Flies
(2) Trace the references to the beast in the novel. Try to parallel this with the diminishing sense of order on the island and the boys' gradual embracing of Jack's savagery. What is the true nature of the beast on the island that Simon in unable to verbally define?In the novel, there are many references to the beast. Each one illustrates the gradual decline of humanity, and the rising of savagery. Simon is the only boy on the island who truly understands what is controlling the boys on this island, yet he cannot express his thoughts into words clearly, and ends up being killed for even trying.In the beginning, the fear of a "beastie" on the island first stems from a littlun with a distinctive marking, a "mulberry-colored birthmark" on his face, who says the beast comes out at night. Both Ralph and Jack, thinking these to be simply childish nightmares, comfort and more or less manage to convince everyone that there is no beast. It is this same mulberry birthmarked boy, who disappears after the boys' first fire burns out of control across the island. Even though he had probably died in the fire, his disappearance was something that no one had ever accounted for, as no one knew the exact answer. This would have probably
Fear of the beast has not diminished. Being like a pig (a "swine") is also equated with the beast. " Jack himself has become a beast now in Ralph's eyes. Jack and his hunters have become the beasts that they truly are. He gives his hunters strength, and convinces them that the beastie will be no match for them. Unlike Simon who put up little defense or counterattack after being surrounded by the boys' spears, Ralph actually tries to escape and fight back and, by doing this, shows his own beast-like nature. Samneric see this body swaying in the wind and, terrified, flee back to the beach where the others are sleeping. Although the parachutist may symbolize civilization's archetypical fall, he is only a "beastie" insofar as civilization is to be feared. He wildly attacks the hunters as they chase him, "foaming" madly. Ralph still retains control of the boys, and manages to maintain order. In chapter 10, he assures his hunters that the thing they had attacked was indeed the beast who had come to them disguised in the form of Simon. In chapter 4, when Jack and his hunters killed the pig, they said, "Kill the pig.
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Acceptance Essays
