HONORS - Lord of the Flies, Chapter 2 - Civilization vs Savagery

Jack Merridew: “I agree with Ralph. We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English and the English are the best at everything. So we’ve got to do the right things.” (Golding 42)

"Beneath the capering boys a quarter of a mile square of forest was savage with smoke and flame... Startled, Ralph realized that the boys were falling still and silent, feeling the beginnings of awe at the power set free below them. The knowledge and the awe made him savage." (Golding 44)

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In chapter 2 of Lord of the Flies, William Golding depicts rising tension between Jack and Ralph. The conflict between the boys symbolizes a central conflict in the novel: civilization vs savagery. Each boy on the island will have to confront this conflict. Jack and Ralph's strained relationship also foreshadows important events from later in the novel.

In a thoughtful post of at least two paragraphs, please explore some of the following questions:

• How would you define "savage"?
• What does Jack mean by saying that the boys are not "savages"?
• Why is Ralph "savage" as a result of power?
• Does power make people savage?
• What do you think Golding is foreshadowing, and why?
• How does this conflict relate to our thematic essential questions of How might evil come to flourish in a society? and How do societal structures function and why might they break?

How you organize your thoughts is up to you. But take this as an opportunity to look into your views and analyses of what we have read thus far. You may use first-person pronouns, if appropriate for your post, but please avoid second-person pronouns, and be sure to use present tense verbs when discussing the text.

DUE: Friday, February 28, 10pm