The Lord of the Flies The nature of evil

p.151 ‘The half-shut eyes were dim with the infinite cynicism of adult life.’ What does this mean? p.152 ‘They were black and iridescent green without number; and in front of Simon, the Lord of the Flies hung on his stick and grinned. At last Simon gave up and looked back; saw the white teeth and dim eyes, the blood- and his gaze was held by that ancient, inescapable recognition.’ What does Simon recognize in the Lord of the Flies?

Beelzebub Biblical Sources 2 Kings 1:2-3, 6, 16 The source for the name Ba‘al Zebûb / Beelzebub is in 2 Kings 1:2-3, 6, 16 where King Ahaziah of Kingdom of Isreal (Samaria), after seriously injuring himself in a fall, sends messengers to inquire of Ba‘al Zebûb, the god of the Philistine city of Ekron, to learn if he will recover. Elijah the Prophet then condemns Ahaziah to die by Yahweh's words because Ahaziah sought counsel from Ba‘al Zebûb rather than from Yahweh.2 Kings 1:2-3, 6, 16 In Mark 3:22, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of driving out demons by the power of Beelzeboul, prince of demons, the name also appearing in the expanded version in Matthew 12:24,27 and Luke 11:15, The name also occurs in Matthew 10:25.Mark 3:22Pharisees Matthew 12:24,27Luke 11:15,18-19Matthew 10:25

Beelzebub Later Mythology The chief lieutenant of Lucifer, the Emperor of Hell, and presides over the Order of the Fly. Beelzebub associated with the deadly sin of pride. Down through history Beelzebub has been held responsible for many cases of demon possession. Beelzebub was also imagined to be sowing his influence in Salem, Massachusetts: his name came up repeatedly during the Salem witch trials. Beelzebub as depicted in Collin de Plancy’s Dictionnaire Infernal (Paris, 1863).

p.158 ‘There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the Beast.’ ‘Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill… You knew didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?’ ‘You know perfectly well you’ll only meet me down there – so don’t try to escape!’ ‘-Or else, said the Lord of the Flies, ‘ we shall do you. See? Jack and Roger, and Maurice and Robert and Bill and Piggy and Ralph. Do you. See?’

Questions Why did the Lord of the Flies speak to Simon instead of any of the other boys? “‘Run away,’ said the head silently, ‘go back to the others. It was a joke really – why should you bother? You were wrong, that’s all. A little headache, something you ate, perhaps. Go back, child,’ said the head silently.” What does this mean?