Question
Task 10 Directions: Read and annotate Chapters 4 and 5 of Lord of the Flies, taking note of how Jack descends into barbarism and how this affects the group as a whole.
Task 11 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: How would you characterize Jack at the end of Chapter 5? What kind of rhetorical effect does Golding's use of animal analogies create?
Task 11 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: How would you characterize Jack at the end of Chapter 5? What kind of rhetorical effect does Golding's use of animal analogies create?
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
At the end of Chapter 5 in "Lord of the Flies," Jack is characterized as increasingly savage and power-hungry, embodying the descent into barbarism that Golding highlights throughout the text. First, Jack's obsession with hunting reflects his shift from civilized behavior to primal instinct. He declares that “we’ve got to make smoke up there—or die,” indicating that his priorities have shifted from rescue to dominion over the island and its resources. This obsession with hunting symbolizes a greater relinquishment of morals, as Jack becomes more driven by lust for power and control than by any sense of responsibility or ethics.
Second, Golding uses animal analogies to underscore Jack’s transformation, particularly through his dialogue and actions. When he describes the desire to “paint” his face for hunting, it suggests a loss of identity and humanity, as he willingly disguises himself with the raw materials of the island, almost reverting to a primitive state. The imagery of the “mask” he creates allows him to embrace his darker instincts, painting his face as “a layer of red and white” reminiscent of tribal warfare or savagery. This mask liberates him from guilt and responsibility, marking a stark departure from civilized behavior.
Finally, Golding juxtaposes Jack’s brutish demeanor with Ralph’s attempts at order, creating a rhetorical tension that highlights the theme of civilization versus savagery. Ralph's call for a meeting emphasizes reason and democracy, while Jack’s reactions reveal a blatant disregard for authority. For instance, when he scoffs at the conch and its power, it signifies his ultimate rejection of the civilized norms established by the group. Jack's rhetoric, filled with animalistic fervor, serves to galvanize the boys toward chaos, foreshadowing the inevitable fragmentation of their society.
In conclusion, by the end of Chapter 5, Jack embodies the primal instinct that Golding warns against, illustrating how the allure of power can lead to moral decay. The use of animal analogies not only characterizes Jack’s descent but also amplifies the novel's overarching themes of civilization versus savagery, ultimately serving as a stark reminder of the darkness inherent in human nature.
Second, Golding uses animal analogies to underscore Jack’s transformation, particularly through his dialogue and actions. When he describes the desire to “paint” his face for hunting, it suggests a loss of identity and humanity, as he willingly disguises himself with the raw materials of the island, almost reverting to a primitive state. The imagery of the “mask” he creates allows him to embrace his darker instincts, painting his face as “a layer of red and white” reminiscent of tribal warfare or savagery. This mask liberates him from guilt and responsibility, marking a stark departure from civilized behavior.
Finally, Golding juxtaposes Jack’s brutish demeanor with Ralph’s attempts at order, creating a rhetorical tension that highlights the theme of civilization versus savagery. Ralph's call for a meeting emphasizes reason and democracy, while Jack’s reactions reveal a blatant disregard for authority. For instance, when he scoffs at the conch and its power, it signifies his ultimate rejection of the civilized norms established by the group. Jack's rhetoric, filled with animalistic fervor, serves to galvanize the boys toward chaos, foreshadowing the inevitable fragmentation of their society.
In conclusion, by the end of Chapter 5, Jack embodies the primal instinct that Golding warns against, illustrating how the allure of power can lead to moral decay. The use of animal analogies not only characterizes Jack’s descent but also amplifies the novel's overarching themes of civilization versus savagery, ultimately serving as a stark reminder of the darkness inherent in human nature.