Human Nature Flashcards
The creature was a party of boys, marching approximately in step in two parallel lines and dressed in strangely eccentric clothing
Unity
I should have thought that a pack of British boys - you’re all British aren’t you? - Would have been able to put up a better show than that
Regression
Ralph sat on the fallen trunk, his left side to the sun. On his right were most of the choir; on his left were the larger boys who had not known each other before… before him sat small children squatted in the grass
Initial organisation
You got your small fire all right
Test boundaries
‘You’re a beast and a swine and a bloody, bloody thief!’
Disintegration of unity
They were glad to touch the brown backs of the fence that gemmed in the terror and made it governable
Fear and paranoia
We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything. So we’ve got to do the right things.
Initial attempt at organisation
I’ll give the Conch to the next person to speak - they won’t be interrupted!
Imperative
Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!
Predatory
The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering
Sadism
Roger advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority
Arrogance
Hubris
Self-appointed authority
The rock struck piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist
Murder
Biblical
There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws
Atavism caused by liberation
Predatory
‘That was Simon, that was murder’
Damn
This head is for the beast. It’s a gift.
Fear of higher power
Behind them on the grass the headless and paunched body of a sow lay where they had dropped it
Predatory
Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policeman and the law. Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilisation that knew nothing of him and was in ruins
Suppression
He hadn’t because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh
Fear of violence
The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away
Descending into Savagery
If faces were different when lit from above or below - what was a face? What was anything?
Two faced
‘What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?’
Regression
‘Which is better - to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill’
What u must do vs what u want
He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling
Animalistic
‘I painted my face— I stole up. Now you eat— all of you— and I’
Desire for anonymity
’Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!’
Sarcasm
Man’s folly is the belief they are good
“You knew didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close!”
Question- room for redemption?
‘I’m frightened. Of us.’
Wise
‘Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us’
Literal and symbolic
‘Kill the pig, slit her throat, spill her blood’
Blood lust
Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy
Darkness in man’s hearts
He stood halfway along the neck and gazed at the savages intently. Freed by the paint, they had tied their hair back and were more comfortable than he was
Comfort in Savagery
Anonymity
The candle-bungs opened their wide white flowers… their scent spilled out into the air and took possession of the island
Man’s abuse of nature
Behind this was the darkness of the forest proper and the open space of the scar
Destroying nature
Ralph launched himself like a cat; stabbed, snarling, with spear, and the savage doubled up
Yeet
the compulsion yo track down and kill things… was swallowing him up
Kay
