Peiod 2: Tuesday, 10/27

REMINDER• Chapter 1 Quiz• Vocab Quiz on chapters 1-2.

• Due Thursday by 11:59 PM—Research Paper Final Draft

1. Why is the chapter entitled “The Sound of the Shell”?

• This chapter is entitled “The Sound of the Shell”, for all of the boys on the island come together as a result of the noise Ralph makes by blowing into a sea shell.

• The conch becomes a symbol of authority and attention.

• Whenever a boy has the conch in his hand, he is able to speak to the rest of the group without interruptions.

• Although it is only a small tangible item, the shell may become a very important aspect of the boys’ survival on the island.

2. What is Ralph’s attitude toward Piggy in the first chapter?

• At first, Ralph is indifferent, while Piggy is pathetically eager to make friends. He even trusts Ralph w/ the secret of his nickname & is terribly hurt when Ralph betray him.

• At this point in the story, Piggy’s intelligence has little value to Ralph.

• His intelligence is ignored and he becomes an object of derision b/c of his physical defects.

3. What is the significance of Piggy’s plea to join the expedition?

• Piggy’s plea to join the expedition represents his desperation to “fit in” with the rest of the boys. This is presumably an issue that Piggy has dealt with back home, for his nickname suggests that he is often excluded from groups.

• He would love to walk by Ralph’s side and feel like a member of authority, but once again, his peers have stereotyped him as an outcast and left him behind.

4. Why is Ralph elected chief?

• He’s physically the leader “type” = tall, athletic, attractive. His size gives him an aura of adulthood on the adultless island.

• He summoned the group together w/ the conch; his election reflects the boys’ dependence at this point on civilization & “grown-ups.”

5. What is the “scar” that is repeatedly mentioned?

• The scar mentioned in this story is mark on the island that the plane made when it landed or crashed. It is referred to as a scar perhaps because it is man-made rather than an act of nature.

• Symbolically, the scar represents the evil that the boys bring with them to an otherwise perfect natural surrounding.

6. Why is Jack unable to kill the pig?

• He’s restrained by the teachings of society, realizing that to shed blood has always been taboo.

• He tries to break loose from these bonds by making excuses for his “failure” & by swearing that next time he’ll kill w/o mercy.

7. What do Piggy, Simon, and the littlun with the birthmark have in common?

• They’re the only ones described as physically defective – Simon has epileptic fits– Piggy is asthmatic and near-sighted– the littlun has a large birthmark

8. How is Jack presented to the reader?

• He marches in, issues rough commands to the choice, and expects unquestioning obedience. Commanding, selfish

• Physical Features: described as unpleasant with red hair (superstitious clue to bad temper). He & choir are wearing black cloaks first appearance is one of darkness (something sinister).

• When Simon faints, Jack’s lack of concern is a clue into his character.

• He is rude to Piggy but acknowledges the strength in Ralph’s personality.

• He seems temporarily appeased by being given control of the choir when Ralph is elected chief.

9. Why did Golding use British school boys?

• They represent the very best civilization can offer:– They come from well-bred families– attend private schools– have been oriented by an orderly national

structure.• Rather than street hoodlums or wanderers

from a primitive country – they are products of the very highest form of culture.

10. How is Piggy revealed as most closely tied to the world of adults?

• He makes constant references to his auntie, never stops thinking of rescue, & can find no worse epithet for the irrational behavior of the other boys than to accuse them of acting like “kids.”

• His intelligence, which might be respected in the outside world, is scorned on the island, and his glasses, a product of the outside world, are necessary for his survival.

• While the other boys find some fun in being released from adult supervision for a while, Piggy’s standards remain fixed by his previous life.

11. How is Piggy indirectly responsible for the blowing on the conch?

• It’s his intelligence which provides the idea for using the conch to summon the others & instructs Ralph in how to blow it (although he himself lacks the physical strength to do it).