Lord of the Flies Key Quotes

Description

Key quotes and simple analysis for LOTF
Emily Ball
Flashcards by Emily Ball, updated more than 1 year ago
Emily Ball
Created by Emily Ball about 7 years ago
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Resource summary

Question Answer
"The fair boy" Chapter 1 and throughout Key Quote for: RALPH, CIVILISATION, LEADERSHIP/LAW AND ORDER A metonym used to describe Ralph. He is blonde, which is "attractive" and works in his favour". "fair" connotes justice, as it means someone is a good leader, prefiguring Ralph's role. "boy" shows his young age, connoting innocence and purity.
" ... made the jungle seem for a moment like the Home Counties" Chapter 1 (about Ralph pulling up his socks) Key Quote for: CIVILISATION This shows the strong influence of civilisation and society - all Ralph does his pull up his socks but he associates it so much with civilisation that it turns a wild jungle into the home he is used to.
"The fat boy" Chapter 1 and throughout Key Quote for: PIGGY, CIVILISATION, MANKIND'S ESSENTIAL ILLNESS A metonym used to describe Piggy. He is fat - this makes him unattractive in the eyes of society, showing the cruelty of belief. It foreshadows the bullying he endures from the other boys as well. Piggy's weight, his asthma, and his bad grammar make him an outsider.
"In the middle of the scar he stood on his head..." Chapter 1 Key Quote for: RALPH, LEADERSHIP/LAW AND ORDER, INNOCENCE When Ralph realises there are no grown ups on the island he stands on his head - this connotes childishness, highlighting his young age and suggesting his inability to be a good leader. Unlike Ralph, Piggy immediately thinks of the pilot - he is logical.
" ... the white surf flinked on a coral reef..." Chapter 1 Key Quote for: CIVILISATION At the start of the book, the island seems like it's a paradise - here it's described as tropical and exotic, but it subtly highlights how far away from home the boys are. The island is a microcosm for the world. The island is also related to the Garden of Eden, fitting in with biblical parallels - "...act of God".
"He undid the snake-clasp of his belt... and stood there naked" CHAPTER 1 Key Quote for: RALPH, CIVILISATION One of Ralph's first actions is to remove his clothing - this is childish and impractical and shows his innocent stupidity. Clothing symbolises the constrictions of society. By getting undressed, Ralph represents how the boys are outside of the influence of societal norms.
"...he might make a boxer" CHAPTER 1 Key Quote for: RALPH, SAVAGERY, CIVILISATION, MANKIND'S ESSENTIAL ILLNESS Although Ralph's eyes "proclaimed no devil) (hell imagery, link to LOTF) he is described this way at the start of the book. This prefigures his eventual savagery at the end of the novel, linking to Golding's key message. It shows that the potential for violence is in everyone.
"We ought to have a meeting" PIGGY CHAPTER 1 Key Quote for: PIGGY, CIVILISATION, LAW AND ORDER Piggy clings to civilisation throughout, and unlike Ralph, immediately tries to find some form of order on the island. Piggy is the voice of reason and intelligence on the island. Piggy also provides the only female character with his constant referral to "my auntie".
"...returned as a fighter-plane...and machine-gunned Piggy" CHAPTER 1 Key Quote for: WAR, CIVILISATION War is a game to the boys and even Ralph, the "fair boy" finds it fun to act out violence and war. This links to the end of the novel when the naval officer who rescues them says "What have you been doing? Having a war or something?"
"Didn't you hear what the pilot said? About the atom bomb? They're all dead" PIGGY CHAPTER 1 Key Quote for: PIGGY, WAR, MANKIND'S ESSENTIAL ILLNESS This emphasises the theme of war in the book and Piggy's logical thinking. It emphasises man's violence and cruelty, and shows how the boys are already desensitised to thoughts or ideas of violence - Piggy says simply "They're all dead".
"...the shell was deep cream" CHAPTER 1 Key Quote for: LAW AND ORDER The conch symbolises order upon the island, and its colour symbolises the strength of order. It is destroyed when Piggy is killed as he is the voice of law.
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