Skip to main content

Can anyone provide me with the quote in William Golding's Lord of the Flies where Piggy first suggests making a list?

In chapter 1 when Piggy and Ralph have not yet met any of the other boys, Piggy asks Ralph his name and expects Ralph to ask him his name. To remind Ralph to return the courtesy, Piggy says, "I expect we'll want to know all their names ... and make a list." He then suggests having a meeting. Ralph doesn't take the hint, and doesn't continue the conversation, so Piggy ends up revealing his nickname...

In chapter 1 when Piggy and Ralph have not yet met any of the other boys, Piggy asks Ralph his name and expects Ralph to ask him his name. To remind Ralph to return the courtesy, Piggy says, "I expect we'll want to know all their names ... and make a list." He then suggests having a meeting. Ralph doesn't take the hint, and doesn't continue the conversation, so Piggy ends up revealing his nickname rather than his real name. That does catch Ralph's attention, and he immediately begins teasing Piggy. 


Later, Ralph throws the idea of the list back in Piggy's face. Piggy tries to get each boy's name as he appears while Ralph is blowing the conch. He shouts each name out at Ralph, but Ralph shows no interest. During the first meeting, Piggy says, "We got most names. ... Got 'em just now." Piggy is trying to be useful as well as trying to impress Ralph. Nevertheless, Ralph spurns Piggy when choosing two boys to explore the island. He tells Piggy to remain behind and take names. In chapter 2 when the boys build the first fire that gets out of control, Piggy laments that the boys haven't "put first things first." They have played at building a fire before taking account of all the littluns. Ralph shoots back at him, "I told you to get a list of names!" Ralph unfairly blames Piggy for not taking the responsibility that Ralph didn't take seriously. 


In chapter 8, when Jack has left the group, taking most of the biguns with him, Ralph becomes more interested in making a list than Piggy is. Ralph says, "We'll have to make a new list of who's to look after the fire." Piggy replies, "If you can find 'em." When Ralph reiterates, "We've got to have a list," Piggy "leaned forward and put a fragment of wood on the fire." He replies without matching Ralph's level of concern, "I expect they've gone. I expect they won't play either." The role reversal between Piggy and Ralph and their interest in lists is ironic and unfortunate. If Ralph and Piggy had seen eye to eye and respected each other's point of view more, the boys would have been better off.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some tensions between men and women in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has... Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has nightmares about Caesar’s death. She claims that she is not naturally super...
Post a Comment
Read more