The story of Peter Pan is a classic which tells a tale about a boy who doesn't want to grow up. Him and the lost boys live in an adventure filled island, Neverland without any grownups. Later on in the story, he comes to visit the "normal" world and finds Wendy Darling whom he takes to Neverland to flee the grownup things in her world. The comparison I saw between these stories is that Peter Pan is like Ralph, both leaders and main characters. They are also the paternal figure, who attempt to care for all their "lost boys". The lost boys are the littleuns who are wild and well younger then everyone else. The only people in both stories who seem to understand their problems in a more clear way are both Piggy and Wendy.
Since both stories are based in a war era, in a way the island isolates the boys from all the real things that are going on. The boys in LOTF have kept forgetting to keep the fire going showing how they slowly forget the possibility of being rescued showing how little they have been thinking about the world of their previous lives. At first, they like it there. No authority, no rules, an island just for them! But then the idea of the beast comes in and fear takes control of their thoughts possibly showing how much they actually need their old lives back. This also whole idea ties in with Peter Pan because the boys don't want to grow up. Who does? But then they realize all the important events they would miss: getting married, having a family. Would losing that be worth living forever young?
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
"The Resistance" by Josh Garrels
I was just listening to music tonight when suddenly a song that I've heard a dozen times caught my ear. The album was "Love and War and Sea In Between" by Josh Garrels. I'm working on prepping lessons for tomorrow when the words come drifting to me:
The Lord of the Flies wants you to kiss his ring...What!?! Upon closer inspection of the lyrics, the entire song (titled "Resistance") is about standing up against the system that is nurturing us into being cruel, disconnected, and oppressive to one another.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Conch Symbolism
While reading the first two chapters of Lord of the Flies, I have noticed a symbolic meaning to the conch shell. Initially described as "creamy against ferny weeds", there is already something setting it apart from the environment of the island. Piggy calls it "valuable", while Ralph hardly seems to care about it, telling Piggy to "shut up" (15).
This is reflected later on in the book when Piggy is the only one following the rule that whoever holds the conch speaks. Initially described as "spiral" and "delicate", the conch appears to be pretty, but breakable (16). Piggy is constantly telling Ralph to be careful of the conch, so as not to break it. This clearly symbolizes society and order, showing that order is delicate, and it can be broken. Foreshadowing into later in the story, if the conch shatters, it would be like order has shattered. Without someone who cares about the conch, Piggy, there will be no one to pick up the pieces. If Piggy, the one who cares, is ignored to a certain point, there won't be a leader to show people the conch matters. How we act in society matters.
The conch's symbol of order is displayed when the boys all rush away to build a fire, "the conch forgotten" (page 38). Whenever there is a meeting, something related to order, the conch is used and remembered. Through the rest of the chapters, there are some boys like Piggy and Roger who regard the conch with respect, while others disregard it. In the case of Ralph, it is as though he is merely using the conch for show, pretending to be in control. When Piggy uses the conch, he is genuinely trying to take control of the situation. Piggy holds order and the boys are shoving that order away.
Although the surroundings are darkened, the conch stays pure. This is described when Jack held "the delicate thing carefully in his sooty hands" (page 42). The boys are all getting darker when the build the fire from soot, but perhaps they are getting darker in their hearts by ignoring order. Simon has an interesting part in this when he was "smearing a black cheek with his forearm" (page 42). This is when he is standing up for Piggy, doing what is right. Him wiping some of the soot away could be symbolic of trying to get back to the purity of what is right.
The conch brings up questions about whether or not we need order, and if there is a natural order to the world. I'll be interested to see how the conch's symbolic meaning develops throughout the rest of the book.
This is reflected later on in the book when Piggy is the only one following the rule that whoever holds the conch speaks. Initially described as "spiral" and "delicate", the conch appears to be pretty, but breakable (16). Piggy is constantly telling Ralph to be careful of the conch, so as not to break it. This clearly symbolizes society and order, showing that order is delicate, and it can be broken. Foreshadowing into later in the story, if the conch shatters, it would be like order has shattered. Without someone who cares about the conch, Piggy, there will be no one to pick up the pieces. If Piggy, the one who cares, is ignored to a certain point, there won't be a leader to show people the conch matters. How we act in society matters.
The conch's symbol of order is displayed when the boys all rush away to build a fire, "the conch forgotten" (page 38). Whenever there is a meeting, something related to order, the conch is used and remembered. Through the rest of the chapters, there are some boys like Piggy and Roger who regard the conch with respect, while others disregard it. In the case of Ralph, it is as though he is merely using the conch for show, pretending to be in control. When Piggy uses the conch, he is genuinely trying to take control of the situation. Piggy holds order and the boys are shoving that order away.
Although the surroundings are darkened, the conch stays pure. This is described when Jack held "the delicate thing carefully in his sooty hands" (page 42). The boys are all getting darker when the build the fire from soot, but perhaps they are getting darker in their hearts by ignoring order. Simon has an interesting part in this when he was "smearing a black cheek with his forearm" (page 42). This is when he is standing up for Piggy, doing what is right. Him wiping some of the soot away could be symbolic of trying to get back to the purity of what is right.
The conch brings up questions about whether or not we need order, and if there is a natural order to the world. I'll be interested to see how the conch's symbolic meaning develops throughout the rest of the book.
Hero or not?
"My father's in the Navy. He said there aren't any unknown islands left. He says the Queen has a big room full of maps and all the islands in the world are drawn there. So the Queen's got a picture of this island."
Again came the sounds of cheerfulness and better hear.
"And sooner or later a ship will be put in here. It might even be Daddy's ship. So you see, sooner of later, we shall be rescued." (Page 37)
I can relate what Ralph is saying here to the "Hero speech" we heard yesterday during the assembly. You can tell Ralph is trying to be a good leader and most of the time someone who is a leader is a hero. But Ralphs actions and aren't very heroic. He doesn't equally care for everyone, he ignores Piggy and the Littleun's. Which isn't the definition of a hero. A hero is someone who has morals and stands up for what he/she believe. They also take action. Ralph is all talk and no 'do'. He has to come up with something realistic and that isn't just a 'possibility'. Piggy is the ideal hero. He stands up for what he believes and walks the talk.
Again came the sounds of cheerfulness and better hear.
"And sooner or later a ship will be put in here. It might even be Daddy's ship. So you see, sooner of later, we shall be rescued." (Page 37)
I can relate what Ralph is saying here to the "Hero speech" we heard yesterday during the assembly. You can tell Ralph is trying to be a good leader and most of the time someone who is a leader is a hero. But Ralphs actions and aren't very heroic. He doesn't equally care for everyone, he ignores Piggy and the Littleun's. Which isn't the definition of a hero. A hero is someone who has morals and stands up for what he/she believe. They also take action. Ralph is all talk and no 'do'. He has to come up with something realistic and that isn't just a 'possibility'. Piggy is the ideal hero. He stands up for what he believes and walks the talk.
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