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Lord of the Flies passage analysis

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Lord of the Flies passage analysis
Light vs darkness
Extra #3

"A sliver of moon rose over the horizon, hardly large enough to make a path of light even when it sat right down on the water; but there were other lights in the sky, that moved fast, winked, or went out, though not even a faint popping came down from the battle fought at 10 miles height. But a sign came down from the world of grown-ups, though at the time there was no child awake to read it. There was a sudden bright explosion and corkscrew trail across the sky; then darkness again and stars. There was a speck above the island, a figure dropping swiftly beneath a parachute, a figure that hung with dangling limbs" (Golding 95).

Words and phrases that express light/dark, good/evil- sliver of moon
Lights in the sky
Bright explosion
Darkness
Stars
Dangling limbs
Child awake
Battle fought
Path of light

While the boys were sleeping in their huts, William Golding describes the island when it is at peace. At night, the sky is almost completely black besides the little sliver of light is reflected by the moon. I think this is symbolic to the story and the theme of darkness in a mans heart. At the beginning of the story, everyone is hopeful about being rescued, and their hope is by light. As the story progresses, the boys lose hope and adapt to the island, which makes their hearts become dark and black. The little path of light is a symbol for Ralph because he is practical and determined they will be rescued. When Golding describes the lights in the sky winking, popping, and moving, he is talking about the boys moving back and forth between having Jack or Ralph as their leader. Jack is the dark sky and Ralph is a symbol for the white, bright light. The boys are indecisive about being on the good, light side or the dark, unpractical side. "The world of grow ups" that send the sign to the island is a biblical allusion for the sky's opening up to the heavens. The "bright explosion" is a message that hope is on its way before

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