In the voices of reason...

Thus far in the novel, there are been several statements/words/ quotes that can be categorized as the voices of reason. One I would like you to discuss is when Piggy says to Ralph about Jack "...he can't hurt you; but if you stand out of the way he'd hurt the next thing. And that's me." What theory is being expressed here symbolically through Ralph, Jack and Piggy and their roles on the island? What is Golding inferring about society? Give a specific example from history to support your comment. (The deadline to post a response is midnight, April 24, 2013.No credit will be given to plagiarized responses.)

Simon inside the head of the beast....

I wish my doctor would have allowed me to come back to teach today so that we could go over Chapter 8. I think it is the most amazingly symbolic chapter in the novel. I hope that speaking with Miss Lovelace helped you to see some of the symbolism within the chapter. Comment on your reaction to Simon's encounters with the Lord of the Flies. Do you think that Simon is hallucinating because of the heat? Remember that Simon is only a young boy, about ten or eleven. Does such a young person usually have the kind of understanding and insight that Simon seems to possess? Do you think the Lord of the Flies's assessment of the other boys's feelings about Simon is accurate? Is there any evidence to support this? Cite it. Do you think the Lord of the Flies's warning that the others will "do" Simon if he tries to interfere is realistic? (The deadline to comment on this blog is midnight, Monday, April 22, 2013.

A sign from the outside world...

At the end of Chapter 5, Ralph wishes for a sign from the outside world and it comes at the beginning of Chapter 6-- dead paratrooper. If you are the first person to answer this blog, explain the irony of this situation. If you are the second person to answer focus on these questions: Confused in the dark, Samneric believe it to be the "beastie" they have all been fearing. What does this reveal about the archetype that Samneric represent? Finally, if you are the third person to blog, here is your topic: Only Simon remains convinced that the beast is mankind. Is Simon right? In what ways are we humans the beasts of society? Continue to respond in this order. (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Sunday, April 21, 2013.)

Rules, Rules, Rules

In chapter 5, when Jack and Ralph argue, Ralph says, "The rules are all we've got!" How important are rules in society? What rules are needed in this microcosm if the boys are to survive? Why? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Thursday, April 18, 2013.)

We need names...

We have met all the principle characters/boys on the island.  Which character are you tracking and what are your overfeelings about him?  Give a line/quote from the book that has helped you create this image of him?  (The deadline to post is Sunday, April 14, 2013.)

Then man was given to the world...

With its benign climate, fresh water and abundant fruit, the island setting of Lord of the Flies could be seen as a modern Garden of Eden until... a little boy comes forward in Chapter 2 and asks the assembly questions. What element does he introduce to the island? How does he describe it? How does the descriptive phrase, "the small boy twisted further into himself" hint at a theme? Which theme? How does this theme connect to societies of today and of all times? Give specific examples. (This post closes at midnight on Friday, April 12, 2013.)

Our land...

As Ralph looks down from the top of the bastion of the island, he exclaims, "This belongs to us!" Much like an explorer discovering a new land, Ralph has found himself in charge of a new world--an island of boys. What advice would you give Ralph to keep in mind as he is chief? What is the main thing he must do? Why? (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Wednesday, April  10, 2012.)