Thursday, August 28, 2008

LOF: Initial Impressions

Lord of the Flies ch.1-3
In the spirit of creating great discussion amongst my two classes, I want you to discuss with one another what you think of LOF so far? What are your initial impressions? What questions do you have? Can you help to answer one another's questions? Talk to me people! Make sure to check back to help one another learn and collaborate.

57 comments:

john c said...

Wow! Im First! Well, So far, I have annotated through chapter one and halfway through chapter two, but have finished the entire book. So far (in the chapters I've annotated), I think that the book is interesting, but has some very strange aspects to it. What struck me first was the boy's first relization- That there are no adults. I can only imagine being stranded on an island, but then without having somone with experience, somone to look for for guidance would be unimaginable. I'll keep annotating.

John

robertc2012 said...

Wow! I'm Second! I read the whole book last year for my homeschooling program, so I can't say too much. I do have to say that it is suprising to find how "excited" the school boys are to be alone on an island. They think of it as just a short game that will be over when someone rescues them. Piggy is the only one to propose that no one knows where they are, but the other boys are too thrilled by the new concept of surviving in the wild. Some compare it to adventure books they have read, showing how little they truly grasp the situation.

Jonathan P said...

Wow! I'm third! I have read chapters 1-3. The Lord of the Flies is a very interesting book. It was amazing how young boys between the ages of 6-11, stayed so calm when they got stranded on an abandoned island. Also, it was amazing how well developed their minds were in survival instincts and how they work as a group in strategies for survival.

carolineb2012 said...

I have read through the first three chapters. My first impression of Lord of the Flies was that it was it was a little bit of a weird book. The way it is written and the way it came off at first made me want to stop reading. I was confused. The way the main characters were not referred to specifically made me confused, but it also made me have to go through and re-read so that I could understand who was who. Doing this also made me understand the book better though. So I did like the book, but I’m also expecting it to get even weirder soon.

Anonymous said...

Yippee! I’m forth, and seem to be the first girl. I’ve read through chapter one and am starting chapter two. I was confused by the story at first because of its mystery but it also intrigued me. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the book. I love how the boys take their predicament and turn it into an adventure, it’s so realistic.- Good job Golding!

bridgetL said...

So far I have found LOF to be very strange and confusing. It is kind of hard to follow with the way it is written sometimes I think that the extent of the detail it is written in is too much. All the detail makes it confusing and really hard to understand, especially when some of the terms are English sayings we don't use. I have found it interesting how the boys are so calm and almost excited about being stranded on an island. I wonder if it is just because they're young age has made them not quite understand what it truly means to be stuck there. I'm also confused about why they got shot down and where they were going?

chelseac2012 said...

Well, I’ve only read the first chapter (I’m a slacker!) and can’t decide whether the book is going to be good or not. I agree with the others when they say that it’s odd how the boys are all excited about being stranded on an island. They think its fun and adventurous, not realizing they may never be found. I’ve read survival stories before and the first thing the character(s) realize is that they have to survive and they possibly may never be found. I find it kind of scary that 6-11 year olds stranded because they just don’t seem educated enough to be able to survive, ALONE, on an island.

justinp2012 said...

It's a weird story to say the least. I'm surprised at how well Golding makes the story come alive even in the first 5 chapters! The first thing I realized was at how maturely they organized the whole thing, even though they were ages 6-12. The book not only has an interesting plot with plenty of mysterious events, but it has many philosophies that I find extremely complicated for a 12 year old to be contemplating, but also makes the reader think a lot. It is also very interesting in how it shows how younger, innocent kids have a better grasp on what is around them, even though they do mess around like a normal 6 year old. So far, so good!

robertc2012 said...

I'm with Bridget- I still don't get exactly why a passenger plane was shot down, I don't see why any of the boys don't know each other at first (did they come from the same school or not?), and I wonder how they got out from the plane after it crashed before it got washed away. Maybe the author doesn't really care about all these details; instead, he gets right to the point of the story.

jordang2012 said...

Yay! I’m number 1! I’m number 1! So far, the story is as follows. Some school boys are on a passenger plane. They get shot down, and are stranded on a deserted island. It seems that once they all get together, they decide to form a society or civilization, if you will. Each character’s personalities start to come out from the beginning they are introduced. I’m curious to find out what happens to the boys.

HannahG said...

I am currently at chapter three in The Lord of the Flies and like some other people i am also a little confused. I had to re-read a few parts to fully understand it. It is kind of a wierd book, but in a mysterious sort of way. I thought it was realistic how the boys are turning there situation from a bad one to a good one. They see it more as an adventure. So far I like the book, it is just a little strange.

Anonymous said...

Well, I've finished chapters 1-3. It's... interesting, I think. The idea of children all alone on an island to care for themselves strikes me as very interesting. From the title, I was expecting a story much different, and because it was English class, something VERY boring. Like Wind in the Willows material. (Very boring, if you haven't read it and are willing to dedicate a week to reading a very boring book, I recommend it. If not, don't read it.) But as I read the chapters, I was drawn in. I couldn't put it down until chapter three ended, when I got hungry. Anyways, I think the book is amazing. There is no end to details, similes, and symbolism. I think that the main symbol of this story is the conch shell. It seems to draw the children together, respect one another, and it creates a feeling of safety. When the conch is blown, the children all come together, and the holder of the conch is respected above the others. This relates to the story "Touching Spirit Bear", where there is Circle Justice and the passing of the feather. Whoever holds the feather can talk, while the others must be respectful and listen to what he or she is saying. (Also a great read.) Veering away from this topic, the idea of a fire was a great one. But, of course, no one listened to the wise one, Piggy. The children were drawn in by Ralph and Jack's idea of building a fire atop the mountain, where a ship could see it. Piggy had great ideas, too, but none of them were even heard. He is possibly the wisest of the children, but probably the least respected, because he is fat, wears unappealing glasses, and is just not very good-looking altogether. The children are drawn to Ralph and Jack because they are strong and handsome, the very picture of leaders. I think that a lot of the book will have to do with Piggy being ignored, but Piggy being able to exploit the others' mistakes once he has there attention, which, after the example of the fire, was much too late. I think that the other children will have to step down and listen to Piggy, for I think he has a great mind, and is rather intelligent, and must be listened to in order for survival.

All in all, I think the book will prove a great read, and that once I've finished it, I'll feel a great weight lifted off my chest. There is a lot of suspense in the book, and I just cannot wait to be finished!!

thorne.Lee

katiez2012 said...

hello. okay so along with many others that have posted comments, i am confused and having trouble following and getting into this book. I'm on chapter 2 and planning on reading up to chapter 4 tonight. But if I was the boys being stranded, I would honestly be really scared. It might just be because I'm a scared little girl and they are boys. Boys seem to be more excited about the concept of freedom but I'm not sure. They kind of seem to think of this as a game and aren't really realizing what the horrible possibilities could be. No girls could definitley cause a problem as well. I'm interested in what will happen to them and I really hope I can start figuring out whats going on better. Maybe a little help?

Brianc2012 said...

I'm currently on chapter 4 in LOF and I think its's starting to get excited. I was confused though on how the kids were excited to have no adults with them, but failed to realize that they were alone. The author is very good on descriptions of the boys and of the island. It would feel wierd to have no adults with you on an island. I like the book though even if it is a litle wierd and I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Megg2012 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megg2012 said...

Wow I'm fifteenth! Anyways...
As I started to read LOF, I was a bit confused. (Like everyone else it seems- I'm not alone!) It surprises me that the first thing that struck them was their freedom, and how there are no adults on the island. I guess for me that would be scary! I think I relate a little bit to Piggy, because I would be thinking about the important things like are we going to be rescued, should we build shelter, where are we going to get food etc. I realized that the author is very descriptive, and uses a lot of similes, allusions and literary devices like that. I noticed, like Tristan, that the conch shell seemed to bring the boys together just like in the Disney movie Peter Pan, when they pass around the peace pipe, and when you have it, you are given full respect and a chance to talk. I noticed that the boys don’t pay very much attention to Piggy, (even when he has the conch) but instead resort to teasing him. In a way Piggy reminds me of a conscience, he tells you things you know are true, but don’t want to listen to.
Have you ever noticed when groups of boys and girls get together, girls seem to rise to the highest standard set, while boys stoop to the lowest common denominator? I don’t think this is true with honors students…

AllisonM2012 said...

So far, reading LOF I am on the
2nd chapter. I actually did not find it surprising that, initially, most of the boys were not worried that they were alone and had no adults to look after them. They had each other and at first that seems like enough. Most every kid in today's society would probably also not mind being left alone by adults and be given the freedom of choice. Although the setting is also in the time period of WWII, there are many similarities between the characters in the book and now. I have found that very surprising. I thought that there would be a much more obvious the time period difference.

kailynw2012 said...

Although I definitely have to read farther, for there are allot of confusing things, I like it so far. It seems like there is allot to be interpreted, and I'm not completely sure that I'm interpreting it right (i.e. what happened to that little boy with the birthmark who was missing - is it just assumed that he was consumed by the living fiery monster - I'm not so sure about that one.) I think it is very interesting how it is narrated, sometimes it seems as if the narrator is simply an observer, knowing what I know. (did you notice how names were not used until the characters introduced) However it is inconsistent, at times the narrator is all knowing. It makes for an interesting way of story telling. What’s piggy’s real name? Where’s the line between animal and man? What was Simon doing at the end of chapter 3? Why are there no girls? I guess I should prob. keep reading and mess up the book by my skewed interpretations. oh well, its good though.

brookem said...

So, everyone is saying that the book confused them or they think it’s weird. I have to agree. But I also think that the author could have written it that way to get people thinking about the book. I have about a chapter left and it still is pretty strange, but I think it shows how when anybody, even a group of boys, can figure out how to take care of each other and set rules to keep them all safe-sort of…

Megg2012 said...

I agree with you (allisonm) that boys may be excited, however, I think that the older boys would be the ones excited. I just think the younger ones would be afraid. It's like when I babysit for kids, the older ones tell their parents to leave, while the younger one's cry and whine when their parents leave.

AustinW2012 said...

So far I'm a little behind but I have read the book a few years ago. I think they think it will be fun to create their own society and do whatever with no adults to tell them what to do. It seems weird though that most of them are pretty young to have some of the ideas such as food and other things they need to survive.

KyleL2012 said...

I'm like 22nd, so not many will see my impression. I'm surprised that the boys aren't freaked out already by being stranded on the island. i think the book captures the naiveness of the young boys. i also like that the boys have already seem to fallen into prehistoric sorta order where there's a hunting leader, a total leader, and sorta like that. It's going to be an interesting book nonetheless, and an adventure like lost or castaway....

annes said...

So, far I am interested in this book because I think it’s interesting how the theme of the book is very much like the TV shows Gilligan's Island and Lost. My guess is that these boys will have the same predicaments as the characters in the shows and this book will be a test of Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest.”
For the boys on island, they think it’s cool that they’re stranded, but there is probably to be an event that will help them realized that it’s not all fun and games and that this is serious. I’m interested to see what the event is and what the boy’s reactions are going to be. I also wonder how long it will be before they are tested by some outside force and who breaks first. Also I wonder if there will be a mutiny for power against Ralph as the chief.
I didn't like how after "Piggy" asked Ralph not to tell the other boys about his name, but he does anyways. I didn’t think that very nice of him and not very cool of him as a “chief.”
-Alex B

leahf2012 said...

The book is very boring so far. It gives me the To Kill a Mockingbird initial impression. It takes a while to escalate into the heart of the story. But, I think just like TKAM, it will turn out to be a very good book, judging on the back cover. I agree that the first thing the boys realize on the island is that there are no adults. My first impression would definately be how I was going to get off the island. I think the fact that the author sets this up in the beginning will make the story interesting.

chelseac2012 said...

“I didn't like how after "Piggy" asked Ralph not to tell the other boys about his name, but he does anyways. I didn’t think that very nice of him and not very cool of him as a “chief.” I agree with that completely. I also think that Piggy has some pretty good ideas and it’s rude of everyone else to always tell him to shut up. As designated chief, Ralph should listen to EVERYONES ideas, and not just run with his or Jack’s.

nickb2012 said...

Yea! I'm 26th, but i agree with everyone that says that its very confusing and hard to keep track of the characters. I think its interesting how jack thinks he's superior just because he is lead boy and in charge of the choir. I also think that it was very odd for the choir boys to stay in their black cloaks when it is so hot that shows loyalty to Jack. Another hard to follow thing in this book is how it just starts off after the crash and drops, it makes you think where they are all from. It's also strange that none of the kids know each other except for the choir. then there's what bridget and robert said about too much detail, it definitely makes it harder to understand. Even though this book puts an image in your head, its too focused on everything. I think this book is really weird and will get weirder and weirder.

bradyp2012 said...

Throught the first chapter and most of the second chapter i did not like Lord of the Flies.I found the book very confusing and kind of boring. I didn't understand what had happened and i didn't know what they were talking about. However, as the book went on into chapter three it has been getting better and better. i really like all of the tension between Ralph and Jack and i am hoping that they have a big showdown. That would make the book really exciting. I also find Piggy highly annoying. He takes everything to seriously.

katieh2012 said...

YAY! I'm like thirtieth!!!! Well, I must start by saying that I was required to read LOF in the seventh grade, and as is the case with most books you HAVE to read, I was not a fan at all. However, after getting a few chapters in, it isn't nearly as bad as I remember. Granted, I do know generally what happens, but I have forgotten most of the details within the last two years. So with that said, I'll get to my initial (second?) impressions.

I found it interesting that even though these young boys are stranded on a deserted island, they naturally started to form an organized society. They're in a situation where they could become totally savage and uncivilized, but even at six-eleven years of age, the boys are capable of forming a complex society like the one they had lived in previously. They have already elected a leader (through a vote) and began to assign responsibilites to certain individuals. Also, my first thought about Jack after the vote for leader was taken was that he may eventually challenge Ralph's authority. (Signs of this are already starting to become noticeable.)

Megg2012 made the same connecton I did between the Lost Boys from Peter Pan and the boys in LOF. She made the comparison of the conch to the peace pipe, and I will further that to the cpmparison between Ralph and Peter Pan. The other boys look up to and respect Ralph in a way very similar to how the Lost Boys look at Peter.

Also, while reading through some of the other posts, I noticed that several people mentioned that they would be afraid if they were in a situation such as described in LOF. This got me thinking about the differences between our society and the one those boys grew up in. Back during WWII, the children were probably much less sheltered and guided as we are today. Also, the kids were less dependent on their parents at a young age than we were. That is most likely why these kids aren't afraid of their situation. With Piggy, however, this isn't true. His "aunite" sheltered him and wouldn't let him do much of anything "on account of his asthma". Piggy is also one of the only boys to show fear early on in the book.

So, based on my initial impressions, LOF is kind of confusing but a very interesting book none the less.

samis2012 said...

Yay!!!!!! I have no idea what number I am!!!!!!!!! I have read chapters 1-3 and my initial impressions are that this is a very weird book, also a bit confusing. By weird I mean in the way that’s it’s presented. You start out already on the island and Ralph is only described as “the fair-haired boy”. Then you meet “Piggy” and Ralph acts like he’s never met him before, but on the back it says that the plane crash strands a group of school boys, wouldn’t that mean they all go to the same school and should know each other. Also, I know that being stranded on an island is fun and all, and there are no adults, but the boys really need to start thinking about the fact that no one may know that they crashed. And a couple questions I had were, what’s “Piggy”’s real name? And what happened to the little boy who first told them about the beastie?

ashleys2012 said...

I agree with Robert and Bridget, what caused the plane to crash? How do kids know that the others are on the same island at first? Those are the only questions I have so far. I only have one complaint about the novel so far and that is it's "wordiness." I love great descriptions however when the author continues to go on and on with them I lose interest. I am also noticing great amounts of stereotyping. It is always amazing to see how others respond to appearance and first impressions. I look foward to continue reading this novel!

Ashley

PeterH2012 said...

So far, my impression of “Lord of the Flies” is that it will be an interesting book. The title alone sets it off as unusual. Who is the Lord of the flies, and how does he tie in to a bunch of marooned schoolboys? Why are they so calm when they realize they have been shot down and left for dead on a deserted island? My guess is that Golding isn’t concerned about the details of the characters as people, but as symbols of the real meaning of the story.
The story shows the rise of society through a common interest, survival. Ralph, who represents democracy, is friendly toward piggy, the people. Jack, who represents dictatorship, is not friendly toward piggy. Ralph and Jack get along because each wonders what it’s like being the other, and also to keep an eye on each other. I am excited to see how the characters develop and I am also excited to see what the author has in store for his characters.

Zivenc2012 said...

I think that Lord of the Files is shaping up to be a very interesting book. To be honest the first chapter bored me but as I progressed it has gotten considerably better. I hope it can hold my attention as well as it has been.

sammiet2012 said...

I am in the middle of chapter four but is still don't get why some of the boys are still excited about the aspect of being stranded on an uninhibited island. Also the boy with that birth mark on his face did they ever find him because the little ones are having those nightmares about that snake thing. Over all my first impression would have to be that this book has a good story line but it doesn't explain some things very clearly so it gets a little choppy at some parts.

Anonymous said...

At first this story confused me, and still does a bit, but as I read more and learn the symbology of each character and situation everything gets clearer. For example, Ralph represents civilization while Jack represents human greed for power.

Anonymous said...

I feel like all of us are on the same page too, not physically, but we all pretty much have the same feelings and observations about the book

SydneyR2012 said...

I think that that was a very interesting and definitely true idea of the symbolization in the characters of Ralph and Jack AnnaSophia! I agree completely, and that led my train of thought towards what Piggy represents. I have found some contrasting qualities in piggy, like how one moment he can be quiet and kind of a push-over, and then he gets pushed over the edge and some genius and practical thought comes out of him, or rather he yells it at the group. I think it kind of represents modern day society. They’ll go along with things that they’re told, but as soon as it gets too much they will rebel and give out their own ideas, which are often practical considering that they have been sitting back in the background observing all sides of the situation.
I was also impressed with how knowledgeable the boys were about how to survive in the wilderness. I would have never thought to put green branches on a fire to make smoke, and to tell the truth I wouldn’t have remembered to use glasses to start a fire!

Sydney

SydneyR2012 said...

Also, my very first question was (obviously) where are they? and then how did they get there? Later in the chapter it says something about a plane crash, and then about an atom bomb at the airport from which they came from. I've read to chapter 3, and plan to finish chapter 4 tomorrow. I am still trying to figure these initial questions out!!l Anyone have any ideas?

Sydney

kaelib2012 said...

I have to say this is an odd book. I find it really weird that the boys are so excited to be on the island by themselves. Yes, the idea of no adult supervision can be exciting, but the fact that they are stranded there and have to come up with a way to make food for themselves and survive by themselves should scare them in my opinion. It would scare me for sure. But, as the book continutes, the boys are realizing more and more how problematic the situation is and how much trouble they could potentially be in. Also, the struggle for leadership is interesting. Ralph is the given leader, but he really isn't good at it. Jack tries to lead but he honestly doesn't do a very good job. Piggy should be the true leader if anyone would listen to him. Really, it's all very interesting.

alisonr2012 said...

The first chapter of Lord of the Flies was boring but towards the end of the second chapter is started getting better. In most books when someone is stranded on an island everyone is sad and scared that they won’t be rescued. I thought it was interesting that the boys were excited that there were no grownups and that they were stranded on an island.

Laurao said...

I have personally found the second and third chapters very interesting, although I am confused on some aspects of the text…What is the scar that they talk about? Also I have been annotating on the use of Piggy’s glasses and they seem very important. I have yet to figure that one out. This snake/beastie has me all shook up, just like the little kids do, I cannot figure out if it is real or not. I’ll keep annotating and see what I can find.

Laurao said...

Just one more question... If the plane was shot down, who shot it down?(there are no people on the island)

alexandriab2012 said...

hi

SydneyR2012 said...

Laura O. Thats a really good point!!I hadn't thought of that problem before now. That means that there has to be at least one other person that they don't know about near them... and this person can probably handle weapons well. Maybe an adult??

Austin Davis said...

Somewhat confused.A wonderful book though I can tell. Its full of smart and develping character lines, friendships and morals. Trapping kids on an island is a great relationtonship establisment method. I was fairly confuses about the word references and some references are out of date. However, this was to be excepted. A good start.

john c said...

I resent how many of you started your posts (Wow! Im 44th)but I agree with much of what was said. I didn't really think about why a passenger plane would be shot down and why none of them seem to know each other like Bridget. But, i disagree with Kyle on how theboys are "naive". I Don't think they are necessarily naive, but mabye are absorbed with what is happening and what has happened around them.
Oh, and I do admit the way I started my last post was dumb. Sorry! lol

John

bayleyk2012 said...

Hey! Well I guess I'm not really sure. The first thing I heard when I mention the book was groans. Everyone says it's really boring. But I also thought that it was interesting that their first thought was that there was no grown-ups. I would be freaking out! I would so be like where is the food? where is the shelter? But then and again thats just me... But everyone else seems to agree that it's weird for all the young boys to be so calm. Something about it is just un-realistic...

Carolyn F. said...

So far, I haven't really enjoyed LOF. I think that it is far too gory and violent for my likings. At first it seemed like a very adventurous book, which I'm sure it is, but I just have gotten the feeling that the book is too bloody and violent. I am getting a little bit confused with all the different characters and I am a little confused at the difference between certain characters such as Jack and Ralph.

I do agree with KaeliB, because I also think that piggy should be the true leader of the group because he is the smartest. Maybe he isn't the fittest or fastest, but he definitely has some common sense. Does anybody else agree?

annas2012 said...

I have to admit the beginning of the book was a little confusing but once I talked to some of my fellow classmates the book made a little more sense. The young school boys seemed to be having fun on the island, but I am guessing later on in the book the idea of being stranded on an island with civilization far away will finally take action. Lord of the Flies kind of reminds me of Huckelberry Finn; boys having fun and not really caring about what happens next. It also reminds me of Swiss Family Robinson; a family stranded on an island brought together by what is around the corner (except Swiss Family Robinson was stranded by a crashed ship).

Laurao said...

Thanks Sydney R. I agree with what you have to say, maybe there are adults around. But there has to be someone around that shot them down, unless it was a plane. Then the children would have seen the other plane. I don't know just something to ponder.

Laurao said...

Carolyn, I 100% agree with your answer, the more I read the book, the more I want to either be put into that situation and handle it differently or, jump into the book and scream at how stupid they are, they just don't seem to understand the situation around them.

robertc2012 said...

Forty-eight comments later, I'm back to say some stuff:
laurao and sydneyr- It's highly unlikely that someone on the island shot the plane down, if there was anyone on the island. Why would they? I guess it could be a secret military island base, like in The Incredibles or Indiana Jones, but I doubt it.
Also responding to sydneyr and annasophia- I do think that Ralph represents civilization, but not as much as Piggy. Piggy is a lot smarter and more intelligent than the rest, but his appearence and physical ability cause others to make fun of him instead of respect him.

kaleidoscope_eyes said...

I found it interesting that the boys initial take of the prediciment is that they don't have to follow the rules anymore. Piggy's first comment is that there are no adults. The pale boy(i forget his name) took his stockings off. How interesting. This leads me to believe that the boys were feeling opressed at home and hence feel like this is an escape. Thus, the reality of the situation does not hit them.

NickM2012 said...

Wow! I'm 53rd!!! This is a really good book! It's kind of wierd though, and its extremely difficult to know who is talking when. That has been the biggest challenge so far. I agree with almost every other person in what they said like their realization, that there were no adults. I also agree that it is wierd that they seem so calm and happy that they are stranded on the island all alone! I believe that this feeling will not last long, because of their carelessness and immature minds. I can't wait to read the rest of the book!

PaulAB2012 said...

Wow im 54th! ! Anyway at first I thought this book was truly awful. The beginning was long, boring, and hard to understand. It used way too much mundane detail, which took away from the story. However it does get better though I still don’t like it too much. Still it has some interesting aspects to it. I think the story so far is kind of a metaphor for how human society began and developed because the boys are organizing to survive and are developing the first rules and laws. I think they have done a good job of organizing themselves to be honest. Anyway Jack and Ralph are kind of like corrupt politicians who want to assure the boys everything is alright even when its not because they are afraid of losing their power. Piggy is by far the most interesting character. He is the voice of reason but is also clouted by fear. I think all the boys are terrified but don’t want to show it however so Piggy is not alone… I agree with many other comments that the book has connections to many other works such as Peter Pan, Touching Spirit Bear, Dr. Franklins Island and Swiss Family Robinson. I think though boring it makes some interesting points and will provide some interesting commentary about human society and nature as well as freedom that still apply to today’s society.

kelseyc2012 said...

I agree with the majority of you that this is a weird book. I don’t really like it so far but I hope that will change as I get farther into it. I am only just finished with the first chapter right now. I really am not appreciating the character Ralph. He seems to care more about the power then the people in congregating the meeting. Piggy on the other hand I am fond of. He seems to be very logical and genuinely care about the well being of the individuals on the island. I agree with many people that I am surprised that the children can stay so calm, but I am not entirely sure that the thought of spending the rest of their existence on the island has even crossed their minds. Well, all but Piggy’s. He has certainly thought of that. No I don’t think the children have even thought that no rescue is in store for them. I really don't understand how they came upon this island in the first place though. Why were they on a plane without any adults? Where were they going?

connorm said...

In the begging there is a lot of commotion, and I didn't understand how they got there. Then they all started to group together and made a little community with Ralph as the leader. They were almost seemed excited to be on a deserted island. Alone on and island in the middle of the ocean would drive me insane. Then when Jack couldn't kill the pig i figured that they would all starve to death because they don't want to see a piglet die and have deal with he blood. That is where I would want to have an adult, so then we could have clean, maggot free meat and not all die of disease. Also, Ralph was mean to piggy who seems to be the only one who realize the seriousness of the situation. I will continue reading this odd novel and also annotating.

Connor

BernardoT2012 said...

I wasn't too surprised by the reaction of the kids when they first found no adults. Hang out with a bunch friends on an Oasis? Sweet! I was a little shocked at how the kids behaved with one another. First, everyone decides on the chief based on his appearance, fitness, and attitude. They chose Ralph over Piggy because Piggy is fat and unappealing. They chose Ralph over Jack because Jack was too snobby and strict. Second,Everyone moves without thinking of one another or of what's important. When Piggy needed names, the kids ignored him for their own fun. When Ralph mentioned the fire, everyone went and started it without taking in the consequences. Piggy is the only one who is trying to really make things work. Parallel topic for a second. In a high school, who do you look to for guidance? Who do you want to hang out with?

Go ahead and answer if you want to do so truthfully.

I bet that everyone wants to be with and listen to the strongest guy. Everyone loves the football players, everyone loves the tough guy, and everyone wants to hang with the fun guy. Right?

Who wants to hear the smart guy talk? He's annoying, makes you feel inferior to him, and sometimes asks you to do things you don't want to do. See what I'm saying? It's the same on the island. Everyone thinks they know everything they need to know to survive. Everyone thinks they don't need to think about what they are going to do, they already know what they're doing anyway. Thinking about it won't change anything, so why bother?

The author for this book is doing the same thing as Ray Bradbury did in Fahreinheit 451. He wrote the book to make a point about society and humanity. I've only read the first couple chapters, so maybe there is another message later in the book. Keep an eye out, it might help prove or deny what I said before.