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How does the language in the first few paragraphs of William Golding's Lord of the Flies hint at the strangeness and terror of the island ?

The first two paragraphs describe the island in a much more hostile and forbidding manner than in some of the descriptions of the island that come later in the book. Its strangeness is conveyed through the mention of the enigmatic "long scar" and through the "creepers and broken trunks" that the boy clambers over. Bright primary colors are often considered cheerful, but here the red and yellow feathers of the birds provide a stark contrast...

The first two paragraphs describe the island in a much more hostile and forbidding manner than in some of the descriptions of the island that come later in the book. Its strangeness is conveyed through the mention of the enigmatic "long scar" and through the "creepers and broken trunks" that the boy clambers over. Bright primary colors are often considered cheerful, but here the red and yellow feathers of the birds provide a stark contrast to the rest of the unusual scene and contradict their own eerie, witch-like cry that seems to say, "Hi! Wait a minute!" These elements work together to create a strange setting.


Certainly a sense of terror arises from the description as well. The scar itself is reminiscent of Frankenstein's monster or many cinematic criminal villains. The "bath of heat" is oppressive and threatening, signifying an environment that may not be suitable for humans. Calling the vines "creepers" associates them with the word "creepy" in the reader's mind, as well as making them seem like something animate that could creep along and grab someone. The bird's red and yellow colors are warning colors: red means stop, and yellow means caution. Obviously the "witch-like" cry of the birds sets a scary tone and may even remind one of Poe's famous poem "The Raven," while  "Wait a minute!" can also be taken as a word of warning. Finally, using the word "vision" adds to the other-worldly ambiance.


Golding sets the mood for the story right from the start so readers immediately begin to understand that this novel will not be a cheerful tale.

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