Lord of the Flies: Rules and Laws

1. I think that Jack doesn't believe that there is a beast. I think that he is just pretending but since Golding never states that everyone assumes that he believes in the beast. Logan

1.1. Jack doesn't care what he has to do to get into power. One of the easiest ways fro him to do it though is by believing in the beast and making all of the other boys believe in it too. -Shawn Parks

2. "The Glasses and the Conch" (page 148). HALEY

2.1. This whole chapter shows the power in each boys hands. The glasses are power, and while piggy doesn't see how much power he truly has, Jack does. Also I chose to interpret the glasses as knowledge, and in this case, knowledge=power. Jack chooses to steal this power as opposed to share it. Piggy doesn't see the symbolism of the glasses. Piggy sees the symbolism in the conch as safety and unity, however this power the conch holds is broken as the boys grow farther and farther away from civilization. Piggy is the only one who accepts the power of the conch in the end because he is the only one who remains civilized.

2.1.1. I totally agree with you Haley and I never thought of it that way. Another thing that comes with the glasses being power idea, is that Jack wants the power so he takes them. People in this world are automatically drawn to power. Wars are started because people steal power from others. One example is the Trojan War. It was started because a princess was stolen. This is a lot like what happened with Piggy and his glasses. -Zoe Boiarsky

3. "We’ve got to start the fire again.” “You haven’t got Piggy’s specs,” said Jack “so you can’t.” Golding page 115 Logan

3.1. I think it is interesting how the Boys “can’t” start the fire without Piggy’s glasses, so it is a rule that society has tricked them into by making them think that one needs Piggy’s specs since that is the only way that they have started it before. I wonder if the Boys will figure that out and realize that they don’t need Piggy’s specs like the boys think the do because of society’s rule. Logan

3.1.1. I agree with you, Logan. It would be interesting to see what would happen if suddenly his glasses disappeared or broke. I think the boys would get into a huge fight and someone would be hurt badly if not killed. -Zoe Boiarsky

4. "Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps 6 meters in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child, was the protection of parents and school and police man and the law" (golding, 62). HALEY

4.1. This quote showed how hard it was for the children to forget their old ways and how deeply ingrained the mentality of the rules are. There is this mindset that the children are unable to overcome, (at least the youngins) the deeply ingrained society norms. Haley

4.1.1. I agree with Haley. The youngins are trying to cling to rules and laws which do not exist. Also, I believe that as children become older, they also become more independent. Theses children still depend on the rules to govern their lives.-XuTao

4.1.1.1. I agree with both you guys because the older kids are somewhat excited if that explains it, that there are no rules set in place. They are allowed to do whatever. However, the littluns are freaking out because they're all used to having rules.-Shawm Parks

5. "You and your blood Jack Merridew! You and your hunting! We might have gone home!" Haley (golding, 70).

5.1. This is a prime example of how when the rules break down, the society falls apart. Ralph sees the true sadness in the fact that they missed the boat, but no one else will accept that that may have been the only chance they had to return home. The boys disregard for the rules led them to be left on the island. This is something that they will deeply regret later

6. "Because the rules are the only thing we've got!" Haley (golding, 91).

6.1. At this point, Ralph is realizing that there is an inevitable truth of their situation: They might not go home. and hes trying to convey this message to the other boys, and is not very successful because none of the boys want to realize that. The boys look for an escape from the truth of the situation, which is why they "invent" the beast

7. Jack was waiting for something. He whispered urgently to the others “Go on-now!” The two savages muttered. Jack spoke sharply. “Go on!” The two savages looked at each other, raised their spears together and spoke in time. “The chief has spoken” (Golding pg. 141). Zoe Boiarsky

7.1. Rules and Laws can be a very good thing. They keep order and peace in a society. But rules and laws can also bring power to people who do not deserve it and take advantage of it. Jack is a perfect example of this. He left Ralph and went off by himself, but some of the choir followed. He declared himself chief and took over. He is using his power to show how much power he has. He is humiliating his followers just so he can show them he has power.

7.1.1. I agree with Zoe. Everything has both a good side and a bad side, and rules aren't exempt from that. -XuTao

7.1.1.1. That is an interesting point. So basically the rules Ralph made were beneficial. But the rules that Jack made are evil. It is the good and the bad. I seem to recall seeing that in history in many places. Logan

8. "They set off again. The hunters bunched a little by fear of the beast, while Jack quested ahead." (Golding 112). Haley

8.1. Power Play! Jack is using the fear of the other boys to hold power over them. He is secretly terrified of the reality of a beast and hes so scared of not being in power that he will use any means necessary to gain power.

9. “He was a chief now in truth: and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses” (Golding pg. 168). Zoe Boiarsky

9.1. I found this passage interesting and it was really easy to connect to the real world. Jack took Piggy’s glasses because they brought him even more power than before. This is what a lot of wars start over. One country steals something from the other. One example of this is the Trojan War, which happened because a princess was stolen.

10. “He became absorbed beyond mere happiness as he felt himself exercising control over living things. He talked to them, urging them, ordering them” (Golding pg. 60). Zoe Boiarsky

10.1. This passage reminded me how quickly people would take power if given the choice. For most people having power feels good. Like when you work with partners for a project it feels better when you are in control. Zoe Boiarsky

10.1.1. I completely agree with Zoe. Power feels good, and many people will try many different options to grasp that power.-XuTao

11. Page 81: "We won't have fire anywhere but the mountain. Ever." -Shawn Parks

11.1. They have the fire placed at the highest point on island so that the smoke is more likely to get seen by planes or boats or anything nearby. And when people start making other fires and not worrying about the one that is most likely going to help you. Everyone freaks out and gets really worried. -Shawn Parks

11.1.1. Its interesting if you think about the symbolizes of the fire. In many ways it symbolizes human existence. The littlest of things could happen and we are wiped out, For example we could have a nuclear war and the entire race would disappear, just like if the boys don't keep the fire going they won't survive. -Zoe Boiarsky

12. "He would like to have a pair of scissors to cut his hair-he flung the mass back-cut this filthy hair right back to half an inch. He would like to have a bath, a proper wallow with soap. He passed his tongue over his teeth and decided that a toothbrush would come in handy too. Then there were his nails-" (Golding pg. 109) XuTao

12.1. Ralph's physical image is reflecting on his time spent away from civilization, away from rules and laws. In England, or civilization, this is what Ralph thinks he should look like.-XuTao

12.1.1. ALSO , Ralph is realizing what small little things that we take for granted, like the simple rules your mom made you follow when you were little. For example, when you are younger, you don't want to brush your teeth, but as you get older you realize how important it is and it no longer becomes a "rule" its more of a want. Haley

13. Quote: “I got the conch!” Golding page 180 Logan

13.1. Analysis: Who still cares at all about the conch? Everyone only obeyed that rule until Piggy got it for the first time. The only one that tries to use the conch is Piggy. The conch is no longer anything worth having. The conch is dead. It is a stupid rule from the start and everyone has broken it. Logan

14. "... would have been able to put up a better show than that..." (golding, 202) -Shawn Parks

14.1. British people seem to care a little bit more about how they act, so when the Naval Officer who rescued them saw they were British. He figured that they would have come up with someway to stay civilized and not kill other kids that were there with them. -Shawn Parks

15. "From the pig-run came the quick,hard patter of hoofs, a constant sound, seductive, maddening-the promise of meat. He rushed out of the undergrowth and snatched up his spear. The pattering of the pig's trotters died away in the distance."(Golding pg. 49) XuTao

15.1. The "rule of the jungle" says that only the strongest survive. The group of kids are the strongest things on the island, and the pigs are the weakest, so the pigs must die.-XuTao

15.1.1. This was an interesting perspective on the Rules and laws topic. I found it suprising that the boys were even able to get one pig, however they ended up killing quite a few. HALEY

16. “Piggy’s got the conch.” “That’s right-favor piggy as you always do-.” “Jack!” Jack’s voice sounded in bitter mimicry. “Jack! Jack!” “The rules!” shouted Ralph. “You’re breaking the rules!” “Who cares?” Ralph summoned his wits. “Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got!” Zoe Boiarsky

16.1. People come in all different shapes, sizes, abilities, personalities, and talents. Some people must be in control, others are just fine with following the leader. Jack is one of those people who have to be in charge all the time. If Jack doesn’t have all the power he will protest, pout, or even resort to violence. You really don’t want to have people like that as leaders. If one little thing goes wrong he or she would get furious and would humiliate or even hurt you.

16.1.1. The boys don't understand that if they invest the power in the wrong people, they will eventually regret it. Like most people after an election, they regret the people that they voted for. HALYE

17. "We can use the conch to call the others." Page 16 -Shawn Parks

17.1. Even though they are all alone on an island with nobody to tell them what to do, they are finding a way to establish some sort of way to communicate. When you are stranded and all alone you need to find a way to somehow communicate with others and that is exactly what they did. -Shawn Parks

17.1.1. Although the boys did try to establish a connection, I believe that at that point in the book, you could already see Jack as a antagonist of sorts in the story-XuTao

17.1.1.1. I agree with you Xu-Tao. From the beginning Jack seems to think that the idea of the conch is dumb and isn't needed. -Shawn Parks

17.1.1.1.1. I fell as though the conch seems like something for little kids. and Jack does not care about little kids and does not what to be treated that way. That is why he thinks it is dumb. Logan

18. “I’m not going to be a part of Ralph’s lot-“He looked along the right-hand logs, numbering the hunters that had been a choir. “I am going off by myself. He can catch his own pigs. Anyone who wants to hunt when I do can come too” (Golding pg. 127). Zoe Boiarsky

18.1. I found this section especially interesting. If someone does not agree with an idea or group that person will usually leave. It is human nature to be stubborn and stand up for what we want. I have never met someone who didn’t stand up once in a while for what they believed in. Jack believed Ralph was a poor leader so he stood up for what he believed in and left.

18.1.1. I disagree. I don't think Jack thought Ralph was a bad leader, I just think he thought he was better. Also I think he expected power to be handed to him, as it was with his position in the choir. However even though he lead the choir, he didn't get the role of leader.

19. “There’s too much talking out of turn,” Ralph said, “because we can’t have proper assemblies if you don’t stick to the rules.” Golding page 90 Logan

19.1. Ralph is so intent on being proper in his current position. He appears to make rules only for that benefit. Also nobody is following the rules anyway but he is trying to keep all of them possible, because with every rule they lose, they loose some of their civil nature as well. So Ralph wants to avoid complete uncivilized actions. Logan

19.1.1. I agree with Logan. Each rule that Jack and his group of hunters break, the deeper they descend into barbarianism.-XuTao

19.1.1.1. I think that at some points in the story Ralph is way too focused on the rules that he has set in place. Nobody wants to follow them. And the fact that he keeps trrying to get it to work shows that he isn't a great leader, He isn't doing what is good for the whole group.-Shawn Parks

20. "The best thing we can do is get ourselves rescued." -Page 53 -Shawn Parks

20.1. When trying to survive the first thing anyone is worried about is the fact of getting rescued. And at some points when trying it starts to maybe become a reality. When it does become a reality, you start to do everything you can to get rescued. At this point the boys have already had a slight chance to be rescued, and this has pushed them even harder to keep things going so they can be rescued. -Shawn Parks

20.1.1. I agree with Shawn. However, as the story progresses, Jack and his hunters realize that they might not get rescued. This pushes them to forget the fire and focus only on hunting.-XuTao

21. " 'Conch! Conch' shouted Jack. 'We don't need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things. What good did Simon do speaking, or Bill, or Walter? It's time some people knew they've got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us.' " (Golding pg. 102) XuTao

21.1. The conch is a symbol among the group. When Jack suggests to get rid of the conch, he is essentially saying that he wants to get rid of rules. -XuTao

21.1.1. Like we both said on one of my quotes, from the beginning Jack really doesn't care for the conch. And when he starts showing this, it also begins to show that he doesn't care for anyone but himself. Everything he does in the story is for his own gain and his own entertainment. Not to stay safe and listen to the rules Ralph has created.-Shawn Parks

21.1.1.1. Interesting thought. I think that Jack is just trying to say that the conch is worthless not the rules. Logan

22. “… there was The Boys Book of Trains, The Boys Book of Ships.” Golding page 112 Logan

22.1. So clearly Ralph is having a flashback to his old life and I find it interesting that he had “The Big Book of Ships”. He has knowledge on them but it seems very specific because that is what he wants is a ship. I want to know why doesn't he just use his memory and current knowledge of ships and have the boys build one to get home. Since he can make the rules I feel that he would have already done that. I think Ralph might want to stay on the island just a little bit because he has not made the rule to start working on a ship. He is too afraid that society has made him "unworthy" to go back home. Logan

22.1.1. You make a good point, but also we are all human and people have trouble remember little things like that. It could also be that he choked and didn't use his brain. A lot of us choke under pressure . It could be something as easy as someone speaking in class but for some that is incredibly difficult. -Zoe Boiarsky

23. "Piggy and Ralph, under the threat of the sky, found themselves eager to take place in this demented but partly secure society. They were glad to touch the brown backs of the fence that happened in the terror and made it governable." (Golding pg. 152) XuTao

23.1. Ralph and Piggy, who in this book symbolize order and law, are now participating i the beating of the "beast". This goes to show that even within the most civilized people, the beast inside you can consume you.-XuTao

23.1.1. I agree with you Xutao. This could also symbolize that many people can be pressured into doing something they normally wouldn't do, like participate in the hunt. In someways when our friends pressure us to do something it is a lot like they are trying to channel our inner beast, try to get it to come out and play. -Zoe Boiarsky

24. Page 160: "Some of you will stay here to improve the cave and defend the gate. I shall take a few hunters." -Shawn Parks

24.1. When people like a leader they will do everything that he will tell them to do. Because this happens it means their system of "government" works a lot better than anyone else. This is all because the people like that certain leader.-Shawn Parks

24.1.1. That makes a really good point. That makes complete sense .Well liked people do seem to be very well liked and listened to and obeyed. I can relate this to the web of popularity article . Logan

25. " 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 pg. 42) XuTao

25.1. The group of children are rejecting the idea of becoming savages. They want to do the right thing, but it causes tension in the group that might make some people into savages.-XuTao

25.1.1. I believe that this was a quote by piggy. Piggy is the only one who ever remained truly sane and civilized. In this instance, he's trying to get the boys to stay civil and to remember where they're from. Also piggy fears a loss of security and doesn't want to be alone. HALEY

26. Quote: “I said ‘grab them’!” Golding page 178 Logan

26.1. Analysis: Now that the boys “friends” are the ones in danger not the pigs, the boys are hesitating. They are beginning to realize that Jack is evil. So now he has truly gained the role of chief because he has now scared the boys to a point where if they don’t do what he says you will be like them. So make sure to follow the rules. Logan

26.1.1. I found this to be quite insightful. The fact you pointed out the boys hesitation shows that they're not all completely gone. However Jack has no moral boundaries, and pushes the boys into something they don't think is morally right HALEY