Chapter 1 Ralph Jack Setting Symbolism Theme: Humanity’s

inherent savagery
Quote “He might make a “His face was… “The scar” p1 The conch “Something dark… the
boxer… but there ugly without creature” p15
was a mildness silliness” p16 “Ralph… held up
about his mouth conch for quiet” “Next time” p29
that proclaimed no “I can sing C p20
devil” p5 sharp” p18
Analysis First physical “Ugly without Description of the “Ralph… held up “Something dark… the
description of stillness” – damage done by the conch for creature” – refers to
Ralph. reflects inner the plane crash quiet” choir
ugliness – hints
“Boxer” word at lack of “Scar” (metaphor) Used to summon “Dark” (WC) implies evil
choice (WC) – morals, – island has been boys, then let
connotation of boundaries – damaged, injured, them speak. “Creature” metaphor –
violence, threat, and he’s to be now has a scar – suggests mysterious,
inner savagery but taken seriously permanent, Gave Ralph air of might inspire fear,
also strength, (“without noticeable. authority, led to savagery, lack of
power suggesting silliness”) his election as humanity
he is well-equipped Before the boys chief.
to survive on island “C sharp” – arrived, the island Foreshadows boys
and might be a boastful, was a paradise, Represents becoming savage,
leader. arrogant, now it has civilisation, unity, inhumane
superior – also imperfections power,
“Mildness” (WC) – shows he can’t (because humans democracy “Next time!”
no anger, he seems empathise with are there!). Was
gentle, other boys who utopia now a Jack, after failing to kill
unthreatening wouldn’t care – dystopia piglet
he is naïve,
“No devil” ignorant Jack is embarrassed,
(metaphor) – from humiliated, angry
start, R is opposite
of evil Must prove he is
bloodthirsty – which we
know he will

Foreboding!
Chapter 2 Ralph Jack Setting Symbolism Theme: Humanity’s
inherent savagery
Quote “He found he could “We’re not savages. The fire Piggy’s specs “The beastie”
talk fluently and We’re English; and
explain what he had the English are the
to say” p30 best at everything”
p42
Analysis Theme: power, Smug assumption Lit to signal Represents The beast is a symbol of
hierarchy of superiority – ships, help intelligence which evil and humanity’s
nothing can go them be in turn represents weakness, the boys see
Leadership comes wrong rescued civilisation and an it as a physical being,
easily to Ralph advanced species. something that can be
Echoes British after Symbolises killed.
Boys respect his WW2 assuming hope and a It is also used to
natural authority Naziism couldn’t link to light the fire, Yet its actually the
happen in K civilisation showing that humans themselves as
Ralph’s leadership is intelligence leads it’s their “dark side”.
fair, open, Means they aren’t But! to rescue.
democratic, civilised alert for it The boy with the
– good Also reprints When they get mulberry birthmark
communicator Also reminds of savagery, broken, it’s like claims to have seen a
Coral Island – destruction civilisation ends “snake thing”
unrealistic! violence (gets at that point for
out of control the boys. Beast will come to
HUBRIS – arrogance and kills the represent savagery
that leads to your mulberry When Piggy died, within the boys.
own downfall birthmark the glasses
boy) – “the shattered, so it’s Becomes “beast” as
forest was harder to create a fear grows & affects
savage with fire, harder to get older boys too.
smoke” rescued.
“Snake thing” evokes
Suggests Piggy’s thoughts of Garden of
helplessness and Eden, evil, satan
vulnerability.

Also symbolise
intelligence,
practicality, clear-
sightedness.

Often cleans
lenses before
dispensing
wisdom.
Chapter 3 Ralph Jack Setting Symbolism Theme: Humanity’s
inherent savagery
Quote “We need shelters” “Dog-like, Simon’s clearing The shelters “The compulsion to
p52 uncomfortably on track down and kill..
all fours” p48 was swallowing him up”
p51
“We want meat”
p52
Analysis Ralph’s priority – Jack in forest, Clearing full of Symbolise Savagery grows in Jack
creating a sniffing pig nature: flowers, civilisation,
fundamental droppings, hunting. plant life, protection, “Compulsion” (WC) –
society – shelters butterflies, cries safety indicates his obsession
are a sustainable Alone, obsession of birds. he has to kill something
link to civilisation. with killing is
growing. Bit of jungle “Swallowing him up”
Shows caring, uncontaminated metaphor - completely
protective side. “Dog-like” simile – by humans. consumed by this
shedding human Remains desire now
“Need” (WC) – characteristics beautiful, utopian
contrast with Jack’s becoming
“want” – shelter animalistic, going Shows Simon’s in
imperative. Implies back to savage tune with nature
he thinks of good of instincts. – flowers seem to
whole group. open for him!
‘Uncomfortably”
suggests he It is a quiet,
remains a bit contemplative,
civilised. meditative space.

“We want meat” –

contrasts with
Ralph, shows Jack’s
selfishness (“want”
not as important as
“need”:, even
bloodlust.
Chapter 4 Ralph Jack Setting Symbolism Theme: Humanity’s
inherent savagery
Quote “There was a ship” Jack’s bloodlust p73 The fire goes Piggy’s glasses Roger p64-65
p73 out p71 p75-76
Chanting p72
Painted faces
p66-67
Analysis This quote shows Jack’s bloodlust is The fire has Piggy’s glasses
how close they what killed the pig, always been represent
were to being not the the one hope civilisation as
rescued, yet they requirement for of rescue the
weren’t because food or boys have.
the boys were being entertainment.
too savage. They When the
would’ve gotten This shows that Jack boys neglect
rescued if they had has turned it, they are
just been civilised at animalistic, into a abandoning
stuck to their predator. This will any hope of
duties. be the first of many rescue as they
and after every kill revert to
The sentence is he will lose another savagery.
short and sharp. shred of humanity,
This makes it slowly turning into
effective as it drives a savage cavemen
that point, short yet that we have taken
the horrible truth, so long to evolve
into the boys. from.
Chapter 4 Ralph Jack Setting Symbolism Theme: Humanity’s
inherent savagery
Quote
Analysis