New Literary Criticism shown through zoomorphism in Lord Of The Flies. In William Golding s novel, Lord of the Flies, Golding describes Jack through

Transcription

1 Question 1: New Literary Criticism Chapter 3 Analysis Victoria, Sarah, Saoirse, Cora, Francesca, and Shanelle Mrs. Boucher October 10, 2017 ENG3U New Literary Criticism shown through zoomorphism in Lord Of The Flies In William Golding s novel, Lord of the Flies, Golding describes Jack through zoomorphism to display the way in which the absence of civilization contributes to the deterioration of his humane mind. The use of zoomorphism creates a clearer, more direct message to the audience, in which case it demonstrates the effects of having a lack of civilization among people, specifically children. Jack is shown as animalistic when he becomes less a hunter than a furtive thing, ape-like among the tangle of trees, characteristics which would generally be found within a predatory animal (Golding 49). The use of a simile describes the animal attributes of Jack, which demonstrates the transition from human nature to animal nature. This suggests the deterioration of his well-mannered behavior on the island. Furthermore, Jack s mind gradually moves further away from a refined state as he tries to bring with him the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up.(51) The author uses diction to emphasize Jack s obsession with hunting and killing as it grows when he spends more time on the island and away from a well-bred environment. Golding describes this urge as if it is a need, hence the use of the word compulsion. In using zoomorphism, Golding provides the readers with a more vivid description of Jack and his transition from civilized to uncivilized.

2 Question 1: Archetypal Criticism Jan Garong, Tracy Hicks, Abby Innocent, Malik Ogoussan, Adam Kok, and Bogdan Tirca Mrs. Boucher ENG3UR October 10, 2017 Archetypal Criticism Presented in Lord of the Flies through Zoomorphism and Color Archetypes Golding uses the juxtaposition of zoomorphism and colour archetypes to demonstrate how when people are removed from civilization, they will succumb to the ID and abandon their morality. This is presented in chapter 3, where Jack is described as a beast, despite his blue eyes, which represent morality. For example, while hunting a pig in the forest, he acts dog-like, uncomfortably on all fours, before he stole forward five yards. (Golding 48). Through the use of a simile, he is compared to a dog, which explicitly states his resemblance to an animal. Jack also holds no regard for his position, that of which resembles a beast hunting for prey. Following this, Golding s diction adds to a possessive, threatening tone, that would often be associated with a predator, through his use of the word stole. Jack s depiction as a primitive and animalistic beast demonstrates how he is slowly detaching himself from his past connections to society, and directly links to Freud s theory on the ID, the impulsive, unconscious part of the human psyche. Despite this, his eyes remain bright blue (48). The colour is associated with a colour archetype, representing morality, and is emphasized by describing it using the adjective, bright (48). As a result, it clearly

3 juxtaposes the manner in which he mimics a beast, which only posses primitive instincts, one which does not have morals when hunting for prey. As a result from Jack s disconnection with society, his morality has been overwhelmed by the ID, which are his primitive instincts. Question 2 - Psychoanalytical Criticism Janmarie Sibayan, Emily Martinko, and Emily Toma L. Boucher ENG 3D 10 October 2017 Psychoanalytical Criticism Demonstrated Through Simon in Lord of the Flies Golding presents Simon as the ideal self through indirect characterization as a means of communicating that after trauma, the psyche relies on the superego for a sense of support. Simon is the only boy who shows compassion and helps the younger kids, whereas Ralph describes them as hopeless (50). When the littluns who had run after him catch up with Simon on his walk alone, he does not disregard their presence, but instead helps them retrieve the fruit they could not reach and gives them the best looking ripe fruit until he had satisfied (56) their hunger. Simon thus proves himself as a representation of the ideal self through his actions, demonstrating his kind and selfless soul. In addition, through the use of diction, Simon is portrayed as an almost saintly image to further develop the representation of the ideal self. Simon is a small, skinny boy with a coarse mop of black hair that swung down...concealing a low, broad forehead (55). His appearance can be compared to that of Jesus Christ, who according to bibleinfo.com had a darker hair colour that grew long. Comparing Simon to Jesus Christ through the use of specific words further confirms that

4 Simon is the Christ-like figure in the novel. Simon also provides essential support to the psyche during stressful times throughout the novel. Simon tirelessly supports Ralph, the ego, in his efforts to build shelters, which he believes are essential as a sort of 一 Home that will comfort the frightened boys. He also makes efforts to support Jack, the id, in parts of the chapter where he expresses his innermost fears. When Jack is explaining that he sometimes feels as if you're not hunting, but 一 being hunted, Simon is the only one to listen to him with intent whereas Ralph is incredulous and faintly indignant (53). Simon s support is also recognised and appreciated by the psyche throughout the novel as stated when Ralph, after complaining about the lack of help and support from the other boys says, Simon. He helps and He has done as much as I have (54). As shown throughout the chapter, Simon, the ideal self is relied upon by the psyche to provide support after trauma. Question 2: Archetypal Criticism October 10, 2017 Mrs. Boucher ENG3UR Thuy-Vi, Louis, Carlos Archetypal Criticism shown through Perspective in Lord of the Flies The author s diction is trying to communicate how perspective dictates human motivation through Jack and Simon, which is created with the use of colour archetypes. Simon s perspective on the forest is described with the use of colours such as red and yellow which represent passion and joy (56), white representing purity (57), and honey which is a gold-like shade (67). All of these colours come together to create a peaceful and inherently good setting; and this reflects in Simon s personality and/or behavior- calm and good. Simon s perspective is very different from how Jack sees the forest at the beginning of the chapter. Through Jack s perspective, the colours described are pale which indicates something with little colour, grey a dull colour, and olive green which is a darker, duller green (49). Through these colours, one can see how Jack does not see the beauty of the forest and thus, he does not appear to value the forest as much as Simon, if he does at all. Due to this contrast of perspectives and their contrasting behaviour, one can see that Simon s and Jack s perspective of their environment greatly influences their motivations.

5 Question 2: New Literary Criticism Literary Paragraph Analyzing Simon Using new literary criticism the author develops Simon as an independent, kind, and quiet character who relates to humanity as a hero. Simon is different from the other boys not only due to his physical frailty, but also in his consistently expressed concern for the more vulnerable boys. Throughout the novel we can see that Simon is motivated by his inner kindness, and shows more of a parental role. This inner instinct to make acts of kindness is shown when he helps Ralph build the shelter. Ralph notices that even though most of the boys agreed to help him build the shelter, only Simon is actually working hard on it and the other boys are off playing or hunting with Jack Simon. He helps (Golding, 54). He also shows his kindness and parent like role when he helps the littleuns pick fruit who can t reach, while most of the older boys disregard them. Through diction Simon is shown as caring as he refers to the smaller kids as littleuns. Through his effect on others Simon is also shown as a quiet individual, during a conversion simon suddenly speaks and Ralph and Jack were Astonished at the interruption (52). Through Simon's actions he is characterized as independent, this is shown when Ralph says Simons always about and He s buzzed off. This shows that Simon prefers to be alone just like near the end of the chapter he turned away from them and went where the just perceptible path led him (56).Clearly Simon feels the need to be sheltered from the other boys. He s queer. He s funny (55) says Ralph to his only work partner. This reaction of simon separating himself is what people like him typically show in society. Simon relates to humanity when he provides the role of a hero. Like when he sticks up for Piggy after Jack verbally attacks him for not gathering firewood, pointing out that the fire was started with Piggy's glasses. Simon also picks out the fruits that the littluns can't reach and passing them down "to the endless, outstretched hands,"(56) symbolizing an almost saintly image. In conclusion this is how the author has developed Simon as an independent, kind, and quiet character that relates to humanity as à hero in chapter 3.

6 Question 3: Psychoanalytical Criticism Angela, Jessica, Brianna, Abbey Mrs. Boucher ENG3U October 10, 2017 Psychoanalyzing the characters of Lord of the Flies using diction Golding uses diction to reveal that the chaos in the psyche is the result of the ego s weakness from trauma. While reading the Lord of the Flies, the reader can analyze the setting as an allegory of the human psyche and the main characters representing the three different components. The author depicts the setting as a wreck that the ego sees with distaste. (50) This signifies the disastrous state the psyche is in, as there is no concordance between the superego, id and ego. Furthermore, Golding describes the character representing the id as fierce with a dirty face (52) while the character of the superego is distracted by how brilliant (54) the island's water is. As the id is unkempt and out of control, the superego is distant and not of use to the ego. This description of the human psyche indicates that when the ego is weak, it loses its ability to control the other parts of the personality. Question 3: Archetypal Criticism Golding juxtaposes the characters Ralph and Jack to create the situational archetype of civilisation versus savagery to demonstrate that when humans cannot balance between their civilised and savage motivations, they cannot move forward as a society. Ralph says If it rains they will need shelters (52). On the other hand, Jack tries to convey the

7 compulsion to track down and kill (51). As a result, they are two continents who are unable to communicate (55). In this conversation, when Ralph says If it rains it shows that he considers different possibilities and thinks ahead. He also says they need shelters which shows his desire to build a structured society, and his use of the word need shows he is thinking about what is most important. Second, Jack s compulsion to track down and kill shows that he follows his impulsive and primitive instincts. Ralph and Jack s conflicting views cause them to be like two continents who are separate, which causes them to be unable to communicate which shows how they cannot work together. The juxtaposition of Ralph and Jack shows how they have different instincts, which prevents them from building a new society. Question 3: New Literary Criticism John-Michael, Kollin ENG3U Boucher. L October New literary criticism analysis of the development of the conflict between civility and savagery. Through examining the interactions between Ralph, Simon, and Jack, we are shown the conflict between civilization and savageness. The three boys all represent a faction of this dilemma. Jack represents savageness and primitive needs. At the start of the chapter, he is crouched like a predator, while hunting for pigs, he stroll dog-like on all fours while hunting and thinking of only one thing, the promise of meat, (Golding 37).This shows savagery because all Jack can think of are the primal

8 desires of a beast and cares little if not nothing at all about his humanity and civil way of thinking. Ralph on the other hand represents civility and order. While everyone is out playing or hunting, Ralph is working all day, (38) trying to build and keep order. Simon even tells him that he is the chief and should tell the others off (38), showing how Ralph is the representation of order and how maintaining that order falls on him. These two points of view clash when Jack tells Ralph that the boys just want meat (36) and that leads to Ralph s resentment of those primal desires, showing the tension between civilization and savagery. Furthermore, we also learn that Simon represents the natural goodness of humanity and not that which is taught by society. Simon works All-day (50) with Jack while the others are out playing and hunting.simon finds for the littluns the fruit they could not reach, (56). This showing how Simon is responsible and kind because he is always trying to help others regardless of his situation. Simon also represents the natural goodness in humanity because he helps the boys on the island regardless of the circumstance while the others do it only in the presence of others or in groups. The rest of the boys love meetings they come running when they hear the conch but when the meeting [is] over [they] work for five minutes, then wander off, (51). This shows how Simon is different from the other boys because he is constant. He can not be grouped with the other boys because their sense of righteousness and justice is based on society civilization and as they distance themselves from it their moral sense changes and mutates.

9 Question 3: Jack, Ben Mallory Analysis of Situational Archetypes In Chapter 3 Golding juxtaposes the characters Ralph and Jack to create the situational archetype of civilisation versus savagery to demonstrate that when humans cannot balance between their civilised and savage motivations, they cannot move forward as a society. Ralph says If it rains they will need shelters (52). This quote demonstrates that Ralph is focused more on being civilized opposed to savagery. On the other hand, Jack tries to convey the compulsion to track down and kill (51). Which demonstrates his focus on savagery rather than civilization. As a result, they are two continents who are unable to communicate (55). In this conversation, when Ralph says If it rains it shows that he considers different possibilities and thinks ahead. He also says they need shelters which shows his desire to build a structured society, and his use of diction when he says need shows he is thinking about what is most important. Second, Jack s compulsion to track down and kill shows that he follows his impulsive and primitive instincts. Ralph and Jack s conflicting views cause them to be like two continents who are separate, which causes them to be unable to communicate which shows how they cannot work together. The juxtaposition of Ralph and Jack shows how they have different instincts, which prevents them from building a new society. In conclusion the situational archetype of civilization versus savagery was introduced to the story by the author to demonstrate that when humans cannot balance between their civilized and savage motivations and cannot move forward as a society.