Lord of the Flies Chapter 4

Chapter Summary Life on the island is developing a daily routine Morning is pleasant – cool air, sweet smells, the boys play Afternoon brings heat – the boys nap and when awake are troubled by weird images Piggy realizes they are mirages caused by sunlight and reflections Evening brings coolness but the dark brings nightmares for most of the children.

Chapter 4 Summary The littluns eat fruit and play – they are troubled by bad dreams of the beastie All fruit diet is giving the boys stomach problems The littluns and older boys basically live similar lives – but at times the older boys torment the littluns Roger, who we see is very vicious, stomps on some castles the littluns are building Roger then throws stones at one of the boys, although he misses the boy on purpose.

Chapter 4 Summary Jack’s obsession w/ killing a pig continues and he and several boys cover their faces with clay and charcoal and go hunting Ralph berates Piggy for his ideas Ralph and Piggy see a ship at sea but they notice the signal fire has gone out They hurry to the top of the hill, but it is too late and the ship sails away Ralph is with Jack because it was the hunter’s responsibility to keep the fire going.

Chapter 4 Summary Jack and the hunters return from the jungle, covered in blood, chanting, and carry a dead pig on a stake. Ralph angrily asks Jack about the fire. However the hunters are so excited that none hear his complaints Piggy complains about the hunters’ immaturity and Jack hits Piggy in the stomach and then the face breaking one lense of his glasses – Jack then taunts Piggy Ralph and Jack have a heated argument – Jack admits his mistake about the fire but never apologizes to Piggy Ralph goes to Piggy to use his glasses to light a fire, Jack’s feelings towards Ralph change to resentment The boys roast the pig and dance wildly around the fire, reenacting the hunt Ralph declares that he is calling a meeting and heads towards the beach alone.

Symbolism/Motifs Roger and Maurice “harming” the littluns “Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization” Ship passes as the fire burns out Piggy’s glasses The killing of a pig Simon sharing his food Reenactment of the hunt

Civilization vs. Savagery “The two boys faced each other. There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill; and there was the world of longing and baffled common-sense. Jack transferred the knife to his left hand and smudged blood over his forehead as he pushed down his plastered hair.” p. 71

Savagery Jack’s fulfillment of his bloodlust is more important than civilization.   Was the kill for the good of the group?  Or for his own satisfaction?   Face painting, smearing blood, nakedness, primal barbarian attire and chants.   They have been taken into savagery.

Savagery “His mind was crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life with a long satisfying drink.” p. 70