LOTF chap 11-12

Why does Ralph think that the boy he sees is "not Bill"?

Ralph thinks that the boy isn't Bill because it is a completely different person in front of him. He looks possessed by savagery and the beast. He looks like he has no control and is a malevolent creature.

Where does Ralph decide to hide? What does this hiding place symbolize?

He first hides in a thicket and then under a enclosed bush area under a canopy tree. This symbolizes not only the isolation of the world, but he's mostly under something, going down, symbolizing the transformation into savagery (hell) thus hiding from Jack's tribe, or out of the bush where civilization is supposed to be.

Why does Ralph hit the pig's head?

He has just gone through a tough time hiding from Jack and losing Piggy. He stumbles across the pig and feels that the pig is laughing at him, smiling, mocking him. He gets annoyed and continuously hits it until it breaks.

What do Sam and Eric mean when they tell Ralph that Jack has "sharpened a stick at both ends"? What do you think the reason for Jack's hatred is?

I think Jack still holds a grudge against Ralph for being elected chief and for getting the power of the conch. I think sharpened a stick at both ends means that he wanted to put one stick in the ground and one in Ralph's head.

Why do you think Roger pushes the rock off the cliff?

I think Roger gains a sense of superiority by pushing the rock and hurting and destroying brings him pleasure which shows his savagery.

Explain the significance of this quotation: "Percival Wemys Madison sought in his head for an incantation that had faded clean away."

It is significant because Percival has recited this address over and over again when he was at home in Britain. It's like reciting the act of civilization for the boys. However, now on the island this has slowly faded, they've turned into different things, and have lost everything that they used to learn in Britain over and over again, civilization.

Why is the boys‟ attempt to get back Piggy's specs and get the other boys to maintain a signal fire bound to fail?

It was hopeless because Jack's group, the savages, had a lot of people and outnumbered the boys. Savages wouldn't compromise.

What is ironic about how the boys are saved? What is ironic about the fact that the boys, who have become savages, are British, and why do you think Golding chose to write about a group of British boys? Consider what the naval officer says: "I should have thought that a pack of British boys would have been able to put up a better show than that."

It's ironic that they are saved by a naval officer because that's all that Ralph hoped for and now he got what he wanted. I think Golding wrote about British boys because the British are meant to be proper and civilized. There are high expectations from them as Britishers and they let down those ideals.

How is the destruction of the conch symbolically significant?

The destruction of the conch symbolizes the boys failing to establish a civilization. It symbolizes a transition from good boys to savages. It shows how order is eroding.

Why do you think Samneric decide to join Jack's tribe? Why do they tell Jack where Ralph is hidden?

They didn't chose to join the tribe, the were forced to. Telling Jack about Ralph's hiding spot was a decision between life and death. There is a high possibility they told Jack where Ralph hid to gain Jack's trust and be accepted straight away.

In what way are the twins "seeing Ralph for the first time" before they all set off for Castle Rock?

They first saw Ralph as a strong leader who represented authority and a link to the adult world. But then the twins saw his real side which was a boy that was scared because he wants to go back home and he has lost everything. Including the hope of his dad rescuing them.

What foolish method do the boys use to ensure that they find Ralph? What does this decision suggest about the power of hatred and violence versus the power of reason?

They want to burn the thicket in which Ralph is hiding. This suggests that hatred and violence (savagery) has completely taken over their minds and destroyed the power of reason. They didn't even take into consideration that it might risk all their lives, and possibly burn them all alive.