Question
Task 1 Directions: Read and annotate Chapter 1 of Lord of the Flies, taking note of how Golding establishes the main characters and the dynamics that arise among them.
Task 2 Directions: Write a paragraph in response to the prompt below.
Your response must:
demonstrate strong reasoning about the text;
present a clear, defensible idea (claim) that responds to all parts of the question;
support your claim with at least three pieces of specific, text-based evidence;
consistently and convincingly explain how your selected evidence supports your claim; and
use appropriate grammar and conventions to ensure that your writing is understandable.
Prompt: "None of the boys could have found good reason for this; what intelligence had been shown was traceable to Piggy while the most obvious leader was Jack. But there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive appearance; and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch."
Why does Ralph's ownership of the conch lead him to be elected chief? What does it symbolize?
Task 2 Directions: Write a paragraph in response to the prompt below.
Your response must:
demonstrate strong reasoning about the text;
present a clear, defensible idea (claim) that responds to all parts of the question;
support your claim with at least three pieces of specific, text-based evidence;
consistently and convincingly explain how your selected evidence supports your claim; and
use appropriate grammar and conventions to ensure that your writing is understandable.
Prompt: "None of the boys could have found good reason for this; what intelligence had been shown was traceable to Piggy while the most obvious leader was Jack. But there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive appearance; and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch."
Why does Ralph's ownership of the conch lead him to be elected chief? What does it symbolize?
Answers
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GPT-4o mini
In Chapter 1 of *Lord of the Flies*, Ralph's election as chief is significantly influenced by his possession of the conch shell, which symbolizes order, authority, and the democratic process. The conch is described as "most obscurely, yet most powerfully," conveying that its power lies not only in its physical form but in the societal structure it represents. First, the conch immediately draws the attention of the other boys, highlighting Ralph’s status as a leader: “The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist." This suggests that the conch is not just a tool for communication but a physical manifestation of civilization; its destruction symbolizes the eventual breakdown of order among the boys. Additionally, when Ralph blows the conch to gather the others, it signifies the emergence of a structured society, as Ralph becomes the one who initiates the first assembly. Third, Ralph’s attractive appearance and confident demeanor paired with the conch creates a compelling image of leadership, as he possesses qualities that appeal to the boys' innate desire for order amid the chaos of being stranded. Ultimately, the conch embodies the principles of democracy and civilization, leading the boys to elect Ralph as chief because they associate his authority with the order it represents. Thus, Ralph’s ownership of the conch not only secures his position as a leader but also foreshadows the tension between civilization and savagery that will unfold throughout the novel.