Post Due Thurs. 4/7

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In this post, please answer and discuss the following prompt:

 The idea of the beast has come up several times now, and in this chapter the boys actually believe (well, some of them) there is a beast and go looking for it. There are a lot of symbols in this book, but the beast is a major one. What does the beast stand for, as a symbol? Think about how the idea of a beast comes up in the story and the fact that they have been scared of this thing that may or may not even exist, for several chapters now. Why are they so scared of it even though they cannot confirm its existence?

Basically, what does the beast represent on the island, for the boys, and in this little “society” that they have landed themselves in?

And finally - Ralph doesn’t believe that there is a beast, but he still goes on the hunt. Why?





Again, remember to use specific examples and quotes from the book. The posts are graded out of 25 points.

Also, don’t forget to reply to your classmates! Check in every once in a while to see if someone has responded to your posts.

Everything is due by 6:30 AM.

Now that the idea of the beast has come up several times now it is being used as a symbol. The beast symbolizes the fear in the boys since they are stranded on the island and afraid of the unknown. Simon says "Maybe...maybe there is a beast...maybe it's only us...."(Golding 80). Simon means that the beast lives within the boys on the island because they are alone and afraid. I think most kids fear the beast because they do not know what it looks like and fear the idea of not knowing what the beast looks like. I do not really understand why Ralph went on the hunt even though he believes that there is no beast on the island. I think Ralph is more of a follower than a leader and joins the hunt because he does not want to lose his leadership by disagreeing with the other boys.

The beast in the book is a major symbol. It symbolizes the boys and how they are still going strong with surviving. Even though they fear this "monster", they still have to find ways to survive and be saved. This monster just gives an extra conflict in the book to watch out for while they are still on the island trying to survive. Just like guido said the Beast lives within the boys and it signifies their fear. Thank you very much

The beast comes up in this book as a possible threat or fear In the storyline. I think the beast represents the fear of no one to protect them or having protection from any adults or "older kids" when Beastboy13 says that the boys are still going strong and surviving, I do agree with that but the fear of the beast might overwhelm the little kids. When Ralph still goes to hunt I do believe that he thinks that there is still something that is lurking out there that they have not come upon. The little kids are so afraid of it because it has a definite threat of killing them if it is alive.

In Lord of The Flies by William Golding, the author utilizes many symbols in order metaphorically get his point across or "beat around the bush", if you will. I believe the beastie or snake-thing symbolizes the ongoing xenophobia, or fear of the unknown embedded in human nature. It could also depict the evil or violence fixed in mankind. Simon believes everyone has good and evil within them, and that it is just a matter of choosing which you will let overcome you. Most people have the capability to do unpleasant things, but it is only Jack and a few others (such as the hunters) who have proven themselves of this. Lastly, in spite of the fact that Ralph does not necessarily believe in the beast's existence, his constant state of denial in some ways represents a decent, clever leader. However, by proceeding to go on the hunt, Ralph gains the trust of the littluns and attempts to reassure them that everything will be ok, and that they are all going to be safe.
-bubbles.616

I somewhat agree and disagree with you, @Beastboy13. In a way, the beast does not necessarily ADD to the book's conflict, more so IS IT one of the major conflicts throughout the storyline. This constant state of fear the boys are in allows them to internally conflict with themselves in the sense that they must eventually overcome this fear in order to survive. Yes, getting off the island is the main conflict to be resolved throughout, but I strongly believe that the beastie plays a bigger role in the story than just some mind game the kids are playing on themselves, as some of us may or may not think.
-bubbles.616

Many of the boys go looking for what they think is the beast. The beast is a symbol and it stands for something. I think that it stands for how scared and terrified that they are on this island and stranded for a while, maybe. I think that this beast is not in existence and it is just something that the boys think they see due to the fear of them being stuck on this island. These boys have mentioned being very scared of this beast for several chapters, yet they since haven’t even found out if this beast is really a live animal or if it’s just an imagination. They are so scared of it even though they cannot confirm its existence because due to the fear of them being on this island, that’s how they’re minds are presenting their fear. This beast represents fear of these boys that have landed on this island. Ralph also goes on the hunt even though he doesn’t like there is a beast because he wants to be the one who can confirm it and be the first one and the leader when and if they do even find it.

reply to bubbles.616: The response is very well said and I agree completely. I think that this beast is not real and that it is just symbolizing the fear of the unknown and the fear of not knowing what is going to come next. I think you may be right about why Ralph goes on that hunt. I think it is more likely you be what you said about just reassurance for the littluns rather than what I said, which was leadership and because he wants to be the leader so badly.

Their fear is what is going to be the hardest conflict and obstacle to overcome in order to guarantee their survival.

I think that the beast symbolizes the boys fears. Piggy says "I know there isn't no beast- not with claws and all that, I mean- but I know there isn't no fear, either." (84). He is saying that they all fear each other and are scared of themselves, not an animal or some kind of physical creature. I think what they're all really scared of is the unknown because given their circumstances, survival is difficult and they could die at any time. The beast is made up by them because when they go to look for it, they don't find anything because it's not real.

The beast in the book is a major symbol. I think that the symbolism behind the beast is fear. The beast creates darkness and horror amongst the boys. Also I think that it symbolizes the boys' fears. Fear of the darkness and being stranded on a island. Lastly, the beast kind of symbolizes the boys themselves, because the boys could become brute creatures like the beast if they lost themselves. I think the boys are mostly afraid of the beast because they can not actually see it and fight it. Lastly, I think Ralph goes and on the hunt for the beast to gain more leadership even though he can not actually see the beast.

The beast is now an important symbol in the boys' lives. I think that it represents the fear of their futures on the island. At this point in the book, nobody is certain of their fate. Even the leaders begin to question their futures. Who knows, maybe they would never even get off the island. Also, I think that the beast will bring the boys together by having a common enemy. One example was when Ralph and Jack went into the cave and reestablished their bond. I feel that the beast will become a part of their everyday lives on the island.

I agree with mmm456 and how it represents all of the boys' fears. I enjoyed that you also thought about the boys more personally when talking about fear of darkness.

In my opinion, I think the beast symbolizes the paranoia of each of the boys since they need to believe in something and how their fears are starting to catch up on them. One of the twins say, "'Course I'm frightened. Who wouldn't be?'"(100) as a response to Jack mocking the for being scared. Ralph doesn't believe in the beast but goes hunting anyway since it shows that he is brave and goes to hunt the so called beast to show and strengthen his power as a leader. In addition, if Ralph stayed and did not go hunt for the beast the other boys would just continue to think of him as a weak leader and not take him seriously and it would be as Ralph putting himself first instead of the safety of all of the boys.

The beast has come up many times in the book and is now used as a major symbol. I think that the beast is all in their imagination and the fear of being on the island is making their thoughts turn to nightmares. The beast is also an excuse for them to admit that their scared to be on the island, by saying there is something physically there scaring them instead of just their thoughts. I think hat the beast will end up bringing the boys together because they can bond over it once they realize the beat is just their fear kicking in. It will humble the older boys, because they won't be as "strong" anymore if their afraid of something that does not exist. It will also give relief to the younger boys to know that they are not the only ones that are having scary thoughts or visions from being on the island. This will eventually form a unity in the group of boys.

icantthinkofausername: I agree with you saying that the boys not only have fears of the island but of each other as well.

The beast represent the savagery of natural human being that exist inside of human on the island. The boys are scared of the beast even though it is not exist because the savagery appear inside their every single one. I think why Ralph still go to hunt even though he don't believe there have beast in the island because he don't want to loss his leadership with the boys.