Could the pigs also be the beast?

In Chapter 8, Jack and his hunters had killed the mother pig and put her head on a stick for the beast. Later in the chapter, Simon finds the pig’s head on a stick. Simon is a little out of it and slightly delusional and ‘talks’ to the pig. Although, it’s more of his ‘good side’ verses ‘evil side’ conflicting. On page 143, the pig says, “There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the beast.” When I read this line I thought that Golding was indicating that the pig was actually the beast and not just the boys themselves. This is so because the pigs are bringing out the savageness in the boys by making them want to kill, which is causing chaos throughout the island; therefore, making the pigs the beast–the one who brings out the worst in the boys. So when I read that and pieced it together in that aspect, I thought the beast was the boys, but also partially the pigs. But after discussion in class, I see that the beast is really just the boys themselves, but the pig being the beast was just another way that I had looked at it.

-Kearsten

Piggy and Science

Golding: "Piggy understand society less than almost anyone there. He's a scientist. He is naive, short-sighted, and rationalist, like most scientists."

Think about Piggy's death and how much he valued the conch. How might it illustrate this quote?

There are many ethical issues in science facing us today where "naive" or "short-sighted" decisions could have serious consequences. Your thoughts?

In your opinion, have there been time in the past when scientific advancements, inventions, and technology should have been prevented?

Politics and beyond

Golding: "It seems to be the dilemma we are faced with that, on the whole, the politician is likely to be a Jack, and, at best, a Ralph--never a Simon."

Do you agree with this quote? Evaluate the leadership qualities of these characters and/or compare/contrast them with past or current political figures.

Golding's Thoughts and Yours

Years later in an interview tiha reporter from the New York World-Telegram and Sun (1963), Golding insisted that the novel’s primary purpose is to serve as a warning of man’s potential for brutality to his fellow man. He said, “I learned during World War II just how brutal people can be to each other. Not just Germans or Japanese, but everyone. I tried to point that out…Some have said that the brutality of the novel is impossible. It’s not. Look at any newspaper.”

What do you think? Do you agree with Golding's theme? Offer evidence one way or another.

If you're stuck #2....

...get your brain going! Here are some discussion prompts you could use for your posting if you don't have another idea. It could make for some good discussion.

Golding has referred to himself as a pessimist intellectually and emotionally an optimist. Discuss _Lord of the Flies_ in light of this.

If you're stuck #1....

...get your brain going! Here are some discussion prompts you could use for your posting if you don't have another idea. It could make for some good discussion.

1. The conclusion of the _Lord of the Flies_ has been criticized on the grounds that Golding sacrificed artistic excellence for the sake of a "happy ending." What do you think?

Welcome back! Othello

In a story by Salman Rushdie (The New Yorker, July 2001), a character makes the following remarks about Othello:

"Othello doesn't love Desdemona....He says he does, but it can't be true. If he loves her, the murder makes no sense. For me, Desdemona is Othello's trophy wife, his most valuable and status-giving possession, the physical proof of his risen standing in a white-man's world. You see? He loves that about her, but not her. Desdemona's death is an "honor killing." She didn't have to be guilty; the accusation was enough. The attack on her virtue was incompatible with Othello's honor. She's not even a person to him. She's his Oscar-Barbie statuette. His doll."

Do you think this is a valuable commentary on the character? Why or why not? Support your thoughts with evidence from the text. The text is our best support for dealing with controversial topics like this.


Answer by Friday, April 16, 2010. Remember to sign your name so I know who earned credit for your post.