Castle Rock-Chapter 11 Lord of the Flies.
- In the short chill of dawn the four boys gathered around the dark smudge where the fire had been, whilst Ralph knelt and blew.’ Why does this penultimate chapter open in this way? Does the word ‘smudge’ emphasise the extinction of what the fire represented? What mood is created and explain the focus on the fire and Ralph’s behaviour? Does it seem religious and if so, why might Golding suggest that the loss of the fire foreshadows the end of all civilisation on the island? What does Ralph’s behaviour show about his humility and reverence before the extinguished fire? Is the lost leader finally admitting his overthrow?
- ‘They blinded me. See?’ Again, explore the possible symbolism of Piggy’s loss of glasses. Why has his sight been undermined progressively? Is blindness a moral consideration in this novel? Why does Jack choose to steal the glasses under cover of the night? Does this violation of trust and dignity give representation to a new level of callous strategy? Is such premeditation a foreshadowing of Piggy’s brutal execution? Was Piggy the moral heart of the novel?
- ‘You call an assembly, Ralph, we got to decide what to do.’ Are Piggy’s democratic values unrealistic even dangerous at this point of the novel? Why? Does this request underline Piggy’s continuing faith in Ralph’s leadership? Does this add poignancy to Piggy’s impending demise?
- ‘Piggy held up the conch.’ Does Piggy’s decision to take the conch to Jack reveal Piggy’s tragic hero status? Is Piggy courageous in this decision or foolhardy? Why do Roger and Jack loathe the conch? Do they have any language for the conch?
- When Piggy reminds Ralph of his ‘Chief’ status why do ‘the twins’ examine Ralph ‘curiously’ and’ as if for the ‘first time’? Do they recognise that Ralph is now deposed before he does? They can no longer recognise what Ralph even represented?
- Why is it significant that Piggy kneels down before Ralph’s confrontation with Jack? Does this position heighten the sense of impending horror?
- Why does Piggy transform into a ‘ bag of fat’ from the point of view of Roger (who is next to the rock)? Is Piggy spectated upon here by someone who can only objectify him? Roger has no sense of Piggy’s value or complexity of character. Is this truly scary?
- Why does Roger feel ‘ a sense of delicious abandonment’ as he leans ‘all his weight on the lever’ beneath the rock? What does this suggest about connivance and violent catharsis? Do we feel this action resembles an execution? What is Roger destroying when he crushes Piggy? Do we believe Roger’s cruelty has executed since the scene with the sandcastle on the beach?
- Piggy’s death is simply yet graphically described. ‘His head opened and stuff came out and turned red.’ What are your reactions to Piggy’s death and why? Is the word ‘stuff’ a reflection of the children’s age? Why would a more scientific or medical description be inappropriate Is it symbolic that it is Piggy’s head and the conch which are crushed so violently? Are they symbolically linked here?
- Why is Jack now referred to as ‘The Chief’ and with what effect? Does it add to our unease and an overwhelming sense of loss?
- What does the ‘hangman’s horror’ refer to and why is it ambiguous? Is this referring to the scent of death surrounding Roger who seems a psychopath? Or is it also suggested the future antipathy between Roger and Jack and the possibility that both might be endangered by the other?
- Why does the Chief want Samneric to join the tribe? Is this a final division of loyalty? How contaminating and heartless does this torture scene appear? Is this the end for Ralph? And possibly for the reader as we have run out of faith and what remains is bleak and nihilistic?
