Nature of the Beast
Ruhi Deshmukh and Pratiha Mudda
It is commonly perceived that a "beast" is a monster like creature that causes fear and terror. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary a beast is a wild animal that is large, dangerous, or unusual. Although that can be used to describe what the boys in Lord of the Flies believe is the beast, it actually symbolizes the evils within the boys that slowly unleashes as they become more savage.
In "Lord of the Flies," William Golding implicitly symbolizes that the theme of the nature of the beast is not a physical form, but the pent up evils within themselves.
Quote 1 Analysis
"Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!” said
the head. For a moment or two the forest and all the other dimly appreciated places echoed with the parody of laughter. “You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?” Ch. 8 pg. 206
Quote 2 Analysis
Quote 3 Analysis
- What do you think is the significance of the “snake-thing” or “beastie" in Chapter 2?
- Why do you think that the littluns and Jack fear the beastie in the beginning but Ralph, Simon, and Piggy refuse to believe that there is one?
- Why do you think Ralph never really expects to encounter the beast?
- What does it symbolize when the pig's head comes to life and begins to converse with him?
- Why do Ralph and Jack attempt to find the beast?