Lord of the Flies Questions (Chapters 3 and 4)

Chapters 3 and 4

Where odes Simon go? What role is he starting to take in the story? Why is it important that he slips away from the ground?

Simon goes off to a clearing in the jungle and hides in an area covered by a “curtain” of creepers. Simon is beginning to be a major character in the book. Although, Simon is not fighting like the others for a leadership position, he has shown his worth as an individual by helping Ralph in what he needs and aiding the little ones reach fruits that are too high up in the trees for them to get (an act of compassion that none of the other older boys would have taken).

It’s important that Simon slips away because his name has a religious connotation with Simon Peter the apostle. This apostle was Jesus’s right hand and therefore Simon shows his connection with nature and natural order of things when he slips away in the jungle to be surrounded but the trees and wildlife.

Why does Jack break the spectacles? Why is this important? What does it say about the two worlds on pg 60? How does Ralph lose face through Jack’s apology? And again assert himself as chief?

Jack breaks the spectacles after hitting Piggy in the face for crying at the realization that their chance to be rescued went up in smoke that was never lit by Jack. Breaking the spectacles is important because it defines Jack’s character as a bully and one who wants to overpower all the others by force, but also reduces their chance of being rescued because the spectacles are the only way for them to create the signal fire.

In page 60 it talks about the world of freedom that exists in the island and how it feels very peculiar for some of the characters and the world of punishment and cause and effect in the previous lives of the boys.

Ralph loses face through Jack’s apology because he does not forgive his fellow companion for making a human mistake and caring more about hunting his pigs than maintaining the signal fire going. He then asserts himself as chief again when he calls a meeting at night and tells everyone what they are supposed to be doing but are not and that as chief he is ordering them to begin following instructions so they can survive and see the day when a rescue boat comes to save them.