Lord of the Fliesby William Golding

Chapter 7:“Shadows and Tall Trees”

What happens in the“Shadows and Tall Trees”?

• Ralph feels filthy and longs for a bath and haircut.

• He realizes that they may never be rescued.• Simon joins him and, as though reading his

mind, prophesizes (predicts) that Ralph will make it back home safely.

• They hunt for a pig.• After the boar gets away, the group begins

a mock hunt that gets out of control and hurts Robert, the bigun’ acting as the pig.

• Ralph, Jack and Roger finally climb the mountain.

• Simon volunteers to cross the island alone to inform Piggy that the others won’t be home until after dark.

• As they search for the pig, Ralph asks why Jack hates him.

• Jack turns away onto the pig tunnel.• Once they reach the burnt patch, Ralph

challenges Jack to go on by himself; Jack returns from the mountaintop terrified.

• When Roger and Ralph locate the “beast”, they flee in terror.

• Who is the “beast”?

Analysis of “Shadows and Tall Trees”

• All about shedding light on the boys’ personalities

• Displays the growing tensions between Jack and Ralph.

• Concentrates on the theme of identity.• THE MOST TELLING SCENE: The mock

(fake) killing of the pig (Robert) that succinctly (pointedly) reveals Golding’s hypothesis of the inherent defect in man’s character - evil or beast within.

Jack• A complex figure• Rival’s Ralph’s leadership• Constantly mocks/ challenges Ralph• Not a fit leader himself – why?• Runs away from charging boar• Fails in his exploration of the island• Runs from the beast• Excellent manipulator• Careful to appear brave in front of others.

Ralph• Dichotomy: good leader and unable to lead• Good intentions• Wants to protect Piggy• Wishes to relight the fire, yet he is always derailed

from this• Jack tends to manipulate Ralph away from his

responsibilities• His good deeds go unnoticed• The boys do not note of any of his bravery in facing

the boar because Jack turns the attention onto himself

• No one really ever observes that it is Ralph who truly leads them - and Ralph, unlike Jack, is rarely distracted from his duties

Ralph’s Character Flaw• As a leader, he lacks insight (awareness)• Not a good strategist (admits he is not a good

chess player)• Not observant • Ralph notices Jack’s hesitation for the first

time when he does not follow Ralph up the mountain immediately

• There have been other instances of Jack hesitating, for example Jack hesitating in attempting to kill the pig in Chapter 1

• Ralph is actually beginning to notice how much he hates Jack

Simon

• Proves himself to be insightful and brave (traveling alone through the dark forest to bring a message to Piggy)

• Understands Ralph’s longing for home• Understands the abstract - he has the

ability to see within the character of human nature

• He is not afraid of the beast - he realizes that when he is away from the others he is away from the beast

Loss of Identity

• The longer they are on the island, the more away from their civilized selves they get

• Ralph realizes this in his longing to cut his hair and bathe

Pivotal Scene• Pretend to kill the pig, yet hurt Robert in their

enthusiasm• This revelas Jack’s growing cruelty - he is always

willing to prey on weaker beings (littluns’)• Ralph is easily seduced by the blood - he willingly

participates in the dance and hurting Robert• He does not realize how close they came to

killing him• This slip on Ralph’s part - showing his Jack-like

side is a glimpse into Golding’s philosophy on man (we all have a beast within)