Ralph Flashcards
“Ralph wept for the end of innocence the darkness in man’s heart”
Marks a critical point in Ralph’s emotional arc- throughout novel he clings to civilisation and the hope that reason can prevail savagery.
Tears he sheds symbolise his deep mourning for his failure to prevent the descent into barbarism and is an expression of his extisential sorrow, the realisation that the veneer of civilisation is fragile and easily stripped away. Reaction also highlight the boys collective innocence which is emblematic of the novels central concern with the fragility of innocence when confronted by the primal aspects of human nature.
The quote “darkness in man’s heart” links to inherent capacity for evil within every human being, The darkness in man is not an external force but an intrinsic part of human nature that is only awakened under certain conditions. The tears, typically a symbol of vulnerability and grief, contrast sharply with the notion of the “darkness,” which is associated with violence and malevolence
“Mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaimed no evil”
The word “mildness” is significant in describing Ralph because it suggests a softness, gentleness, and kindness. His initial goodness stands in opposition to the more primal urges that begin to manifest in the boys as they are isolated from societal structures. The absence of “evil” in Ralph’s physical description foreshadows his role as a moral protagonist in the story, one who attempts to uphold societal rules and the rules of civilization throughout much of the novel.
“The desire to squeeze and hurt was over mastering”
The verbs “squeeze” and “hurt” are not abstract or conceptual; they are visceral, bodily actions. The idea of squeezing is often associated with physical domination or aggression, invoking imagery of choking, strangling, or crushing. The mention of hurting further emphasizes the physicality of the desire, which contrasts sharply with the rational, civilized impulses Ralph has attempted to uphold throughout the novel. The phrase “overmastering” intensifies the sense that this violent impulse is not just a fleeting thought but a powerful, almost irresistible force
