Lord of the flies - Chapter 6 Flashcards
How do the boy mistake the dead airman for the beast?
- “Breezes occasionally inflate the parachute, making the body appear to sit up and then sink forward again,” creating a visual that fuels the boys’ fear.
- “Eric pointed a finger and Sam, looking round, saw him. They held each other and peered into the trees.” This shows their initial panic and the unsettling nature of the movement.
- The boys’ fear of a “beast from air” is intensified by the sight of the dead airman, solidifying their belief in the existence of a monstrous creature.
How is Ralph and Jack’s power struggle shown in chapter 6?
- Jack manipulates Ralph by asking him in front of the other boys whether he is frightened
- this causes Ralph to act irrationally, which prompts the breakdown of civilisation and the change in power status
What is the significance of the beast in chapter 6?
- the strength of the beast grows in this chapter
- first time the beast is represented by a physical manifestation in the parachutist
What is the significance of the parachutist being dead when he arrives?
all signs of adults and civilisation are removed
What are Simon’s thoughts on the beast in chapter 6?
‘Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.’
- ‘heroic and sick’ symbolises good and evil
- ‘inward sight’ Simon can see the deeper meaning of the beast and Golding uses Simon to hint to the reader ‘the beast’ lies in the darkness of mans heart
What happens in chapter 6?
Later that night and the next morning
- a dead man wearing a parachute lands on the island, the wind makes him move as if he is alive
- Samneric think it is the beast, they tell this to the others
What are the main themes in chapter 6?
Fear
Power
order and disorder
Civilisation and savagery
wisdom
good and evil
What are the main symbols in chapter 6?
The conch
Fire
The beast
