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William Golding

Lord of the Flies

Chapter 12:
More questions of a challenging nature!

Keith Tankard
Knowledge4Africa.com
Updated: 4 March 2014
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Jack decided to hunt down and even kill Ralph, his only known opposition. Ralph, however, was so well concealed inside a thicket that there was just no way to reach him. Jack therefore chose to smoke him out.

The fire went hopelessly out of control and destroyed the entire island. Ironically, however, it sent up a vast smoke signal into the heavens, causing a British naval cutter to investigate and come to the boys' rescue.



FIRE ON THE ISLAND

Fire served several purposes on the island.

Originally the boys made a fire on the mountain as a signal to passing ships in the hope that they would be rescued. They also used this fire for cooking purposes.

Because it was inconvenient to traipse all the way to the top of the mountain to cook crab and shell fish, however, many of the boys also made fires on the beaches, something that Ralph tried to stop because it was too dangerous.

Fire also served as a comfort, especially after it was discovered that a beast dwelt on the island.

On the other hand, the fire could be destructive. When they made the very first fire on the mountain, the boys put on far too much wood and the flames leapt out of control.

Although it did not destroy the entire island, it did nevertheless wipe out a massive swath through the bush and, in doing so, killed a littlun. No sign of him was ever found.

The fire also served to be a divisive element. Ralph was hell bent on keeping the rescue fire going. Unfortunately, however, the task of supervising it was left in the incapable hands of Jack and his hunters who had other things on their minds.

Jack particularly believed himself to be losing face with the boys because of his inability to kill a pig. Several months passed and still he had not brought home the promised meat.

His obsession to kill a pig therefore caused him to neglect the fire and he allowed it to go out at the very moment that a ship passed by.

Jack's euphoria at killing his first pig was dampened by Ralph's accusations of neglect. As a result, an ever deepening rift developed between the two boys which culminated with Jack's mutiny and establishing his own tribe.

It was also the celebration of the fire and roasted pig which led to Simon's unfortunate slaying when he was mistaken for the beast in the midst of mass hysteria during a thunder storm.

The irony, however, was that it was the very division associated with the fire which brought them rescue. Jack attempted to smoke Ralph out prior to killing him and, in doing so, set the entire island on fire.

This turned out to be a rescue fire deluxe and caught the attention of a passing naval cutter. The boys were therefore saved from utter disaster by this runaway fire designed purely to capture and kill Ralph.

Have you looked at the questions
in the right column?
TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer
the following questions:



Might it not be possible to walk boldly into the fort, say -- "I've got pax," laugh lightly and sleep among the others? Pretend they were still boys, schoolboys who had said "Sir, yes, Sir" -- and worn caps? Daylight might have answered yes; but darkness and the horrors of death said no. Lying there in the darkness, he knew he was an outcast.
  • What is the meaning of "I've got pax"? Why would Ralph use such a quaint expression? (4)

[Need help?]

  • What is the significance of the boys saying, "Sir, yes, Sir" and wearing caps? (4)

[Need help?]




Daylight might have answered yes; but darkness and the horrors of death said no.
  • Explain the contrast between day and night. (4)

[Need help?]




Lying there in the darkness, he knew he was an outcast.
  • What is an "outcast"? (2)

[Need help?]

  • In what way was Ralph now an outcast? Was there any advantage or disadvantage in his being declared an outcast? (4)

[Need help?]




From the top of the towering rock came the incomprehensible reply. "Roger sharpened a stick at both ends."
  • What is the meaning of the stick sharpened at both ends? (4)

[Need help?]

  • Is there any significance to the fact that it was Roger who had sharpened the stick at both ends? (4)

[Need help?]




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