Skip to main content

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.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more