Loss of Innocence Flashcards
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 attempts at unity
You got your small fire all right
Light vs destruction
‘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
Innocent fear
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 unity
I’ll give the Conch to the next person to speak - they won’t be interrupted!
Symbol of conch
Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!
Degeneration
The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering
Sadism
The rock struck piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist
Murder
There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws
Atavism
‘That was Simon, that was murder’
Yep
This head is for the beast. It’s a gift.
Thinks he’s being good
Behind them on the grass the headless and paunched body of a sow lay where they had dropped it
Regression
Atavism
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
Starting off innocent
