3. Ralph thought that the savages were madder at night than in broad daylight.
4. Ralph broke the sow's skull. 5. Samneric's joining the tribe was a blow to Ralph.
6. Samneric were kind-hearted. 7. Roger tortured Samneric more than once.
8. Ralph understood what the savages meant to do to him only when the chase was in full swing.
9. The savages would soon have perished on the island but for a stroke of luck.
10. Roger surpassed Jack in sadistic cruelty.
8. Say why this happened:
1. But the hunters had only sneaked into the fringes of the greenery, retrieving spears perhaps, and then had rushed back to the sunny rock as if terrified of the darkness under the leaves. (p. 271)
2. These painted savages would go further and further. (p. 272)
3. The skull regarded Ralph like one who knows all the answers and won't tell. A sick fear and rage swept him. Fiercely he hit out at the filthy thing in front of him... (p. 274)
4. The tribe was dancing. (p. 275)
5. While he was eating, he heard fresh noises - cries of pain from Samneric, cries of panic, angry voices. (p. 281)
6. He heard a savage say "No!" in a shocked voice; and then there was suppressed laughter. (p. 286)
7. The officer knew, as a rule, when people were telling the truth. (p. 295)
8. "Who's boss here?" "I am," said Ralph loudly. (p. 296)
9. A little boy who wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair and who carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still. (p. 296)
10. But the island was scorched up like dead wood... (p. 296)
9. Discuss the implication of the utterances:
1. "You two aren't painted. How can you — ?" 2. "Never mind what's sense. That's gone —"
3. "You don't know Roger. He's a terror." 4. "Roger sharpened a stick at both ends."
5. "Heave! Heave! Heave!"
10. Say what circumstances on the island the naval officer's phrases echo with:
1. "Fun and games." 2. "I know. Jolly good show. Like the Coral Island." 3. "We saw your smoke." 4. "Two? Killed?" 5. "How many of you are there?" 6. "Who's boss here?" 7. "I should have thought that a pack of British boys... would have been able to put up a better show than that..."
III. QUESTIONS AND TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Ralph is an outcast. Dwell on his physical and mental condition. What were his ideas of the savages' intention in regard to himself? What caused Ralph's mistakes in judgement?
2. Ralph confronts the pig's skull. Account for his reaction to its grin. Discuss the symbolic significance of Ralph's smashing the skull.
3. Ralph speaks to Samneric. What information and advice did they give Ralph? What phrase of theirs frustrated Ralph's hopes for the savages' human treatment of him? How did the talk end for the twins?
4. Ralph wakes to face the horrors of reality. Who had told Jack and Roger his whereabouts? Comment upon their method of extracting information. What developments showed Ralph's naivety in thinking the savages' human?
5. Who set the island on fire? Why? What sort of future could the savages look forward to? Why was it a natural outcome of Jack's leadership? Compare the state of the island when the children landed on it and when they were leaving it.
6. Ralph meets with the naval officer. Discuss the shift of the point of view and scope of narration. What sight did the children present to the naval officer?
7. What principle of Ralph's triumphs in the end, though colossally distorted by reality? Do you think the ending optimistic or pessimistic? Substantiate your opinion.
8. Discuss the symbolic meaning of fire in its full comprehension.
ASSIGNMENT 9
Discussion of the Novel
1. What do the island and the situation on it allegorically represent?
2. Discuss the allegoric meaning attached to Ralph, Jack, Piggy, Simon, Roger and the rest of the children.
3. The essence of the conflict between Ralph and Jack.
4. Symbolization as a means of projecting the author's views. Symbolic images and details.
5. The symbolic meaning of the title of the book.
6. The author's message as you see it.
7. What sort of people would Ralph, Jack and Roger grow into?