LORD OF THE FLIES CHAPTER 6 QUESTIONS
1-The “beast from air” that floats down to the island is a dead parachutist from an air “battle fought fought at ten miles’ height” above the island.
2- The beast from air is first discovered by Sam n Eric, the boys got terrified and ran back to Ralph and other boys.
3- The fact that Sam n Eric mistake a dead pilot for a beast tells the reader a lot about their mindset. The frail youngsters are constantly frightened out of their wits, seeing beasts behind every tree and lurking in every shadow. The beast, though wholly fictitious, fosters a sense of unity among the boys. It’s a completely false unity, to be sure, but in the meantime it holds them together at a time when they need to put on a united front to deal with the privations of life on the island.
4- At an assembly, the boys talk about the supposed beast that Sam and Eric saw. They try to decide what they should do about it. At that point, Jack bursts in with a negative comment toward Piggy and Jack is reminded he does not have the conch. Then he says they don’t need the conch any longer because everyone knows who should and who shouldn’t talk, “…It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us.” Jack represents the dictatorial type of government that Golding implies is the result of letting man’s inner evil come out because of a lack of society’s restrictions. Golding tries to point out, in this book, that man has a basic inner beast that, if the conventions of a civilized society are removed, will emerge and take over. It is typical of a dictatorial government to presume that it knows what is better for people than the people themselves know. Jack says the conch is no longer necessary because “they” know who to listen to and who to allow to speak because he is worth listening to. He insinuates that only a chosen few (himself and a few of his henchmen) are the only ones worth listening to because only his ideas are right.
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5- Ralph continues to think about getting rescued which other boys think very little of. The other boys do not share the same concerns as Ralph concerning the necessity of being rescued or maintaining the signal fire because they have descended into savagery along side jack.
6-Simon knew that the only beast lay inside the human soul. Simon interprets humanity with the capacity for good and evil. Humans are capable of kindness but possess a sickness that draws them to darkness. It is a paradox that Simon struggles with throughout the novel. Simon seems to represent some kind of mystical goodness that links humanity with nature.
7-The allure of Castle Rock mostly comes from Jack’s own perception of its “cool factor.” He is, after all, a young boy, easily enamored by the glamour of having a fort. Castle Rock, in Jack’s eyes, seems like the perfect place for several reasons. He sees Castle Rock as being easily defended, with its large boulders. Jack’s attraction to Castle Rock reveals several important aspects about his character. He likes the idea of defense and attack, viewing the area from the perspective of violence and outsmarting the enemy. Jack’s response to Castle Rock reveals him to be a tactical thinker, one concerned with maneuvers and strategy. Ralph sees the fort as a dismal, dreary place, but Jack is more of the visionary, seeing the fort as a possibility, a future place where he could be chief and reign supreme.
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9-Ralph and Jack decide to go and find the beast because as the unspoken leaders of the island of boys, they have to. Jack does so because he wishes to hunt and kill the beast; while Ralph does so because he doesn’t wish to lose face before the other boys. This is early in the novel, so Jack and Ralph are still vying for the leadership and for the allegiance of the boy.
8- Ralph does so because he doesn’t wish to lose face before the other boys. This is early in the novel, so Jack and Ralph are still vying for the leadership and for the allegiance of the boy.
10- The other boys begin to play games, pushing rocks into the sea, and many of them lose sight of the purpose of their expedition. Ralph angrily reminds them that they are looking for the beast and says that they must return to the other mountain so that they can rebuild the signal fire. The other boys, lost in whimsical plans to build a fort and do other things on the new hill, are displeased by Ralph’s commands but grudgingly obey.
11- Ralph, feeling his power and his influence slipping away, feels he has no choice but to rise to every occasion, especially if Jack seems willing to do things while Ralph refuses. It is this ego-driven impulse that causes Ralph to be more foolhardy, as otherwise it would appear that Jack is more brave. Without that drive, and with the ability to inform the boys rationally, Ralph may have resisted the urge to out-perform Jack, and become a better leader.
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