Roger Flashcards
Key quotes for Roger from Lord of the Flies.
“who kept to himself with avoidance and secrecy.”-
Description of Roger in chapter 1 (His secret is that he is, in some ways, more evil than even Jack.)
‘Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins.
When Jack approaches him, Roger sees him, “a darker shadow crept beneath the swarthiness of his skin….” ‘
In William Golding’s allegory, Roger represents sadism. When he is first introduced to readers, he “kept to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy.” The first depiction of Roger comes in Chapter Four when he stoops and picks up a stone, “that token of preposterous time” and bounces it a few yards from the littl’un Henry who sits on the shore
“Roger edged past the chief, only just avoiding pushing him with his shoulder. The yelling ceased, and Samneric lay looking up in quiet terror. Roger advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority.” (11.231)
Elected officials can get voted out of office; autocratic rulers get forced out of office—and they’re lucky if they survive. When Roger just barely avoids pushing Jack, we get the feeling that there’s another power showdown on the way, and it’s not going to be pretty.
‘…threw it at Henry - threw it to miss.’
Chapter 4
Savagery vs. Civilisation. Roger is willing to throw rocks at Henry, however he is still controlled and conditioned by civilisation.
‘Below him, Ralph was a shock of hair and Piggy a bag of fat.’
Chapter 11
Ralph and Piggy are trying to ask for Jack’s group to return Piggy’s glasses at Castle Rock. Roger is on guard duty and this is his perspective. Roger doesn’t see Ralph and Piggy as humans but as things.
‘Some source of power began to pulse in Roger’s body.’
Chapter 11
“One piglet, with a demented shriek, rushed into the sea trailing Rogers spear behind it.”
Chapter 8
Savagery-Roger will go to lengths to harm a young Piglet and attempt to kill it because it is much smaller than he is.
“Roger found a lodgment for his point and began to push till he was leaning with his whole weight.”
Chapter 8
Roger is not only hunting pigs for food he is doing it for fun.
He puts the pig through lot of pain rather than just killing it because he sees it as a game.
“Roger began to withdraw his spear and the boys noticed it for the first time.”
Chapter 8
Rogers name means famous with the spear.
The boys are beginning to notice just how savage Roger is.
