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Lotf Chapter 9 Key

The document summarizes key events and themes from Chapter 9 of William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies. Simon discovers that the "beast" is actually a dead parachutist tangled in lines. Disturbed by this, he decides he must inform the other boys. The setting of the island is described as dreary with a brewing storm. At Jack's party, he accepts Ralph and Piggy but tensions rise as Ralph asserts his role as chief. That night, the boys engage in a frenzied dance, mistakenly killing Simon when he stumbles upon them. Simon's death symbolizes the loss of innocence on the island and humans' capacity for savagery when left without rules.

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663 views

Lotf Chapter 9 Key

The document summarizes key events and themes from Chapter 9 of William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies. Simon discovers that the "beast" is actually a dead parachutist tangled in lines. Disturbed by this, he decides he must inform the other boys. The setting of the island is described as dreary with a brewing storm. At Jack's party, he accepts Ralph and Piggy but tensions rise as Ralph asserts his role as chief. That night, the boys engage in a frenzied dance, mistakenly killing Simon when he stumbles upon them. Simon's death symbolizes the loss of innocence on the island and humans' capacity for savagery when left without rules.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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KEY

Chapter 9: A View to a Death


Reading Comprehension
Directions: Answer the following questions using complete sentences.
1. He felt his knees smack the rock. He crawled forward and soon he understood. The tangle of lines
showed him the mechanics of this parody; he examined the white nasal bones, the teeth, the colors
of corruption. He saw how pitilessly the layers of rubber and canvas held together the poor body
that should be rotting away. Then, the wind blew again and the figure lifted, bowed, and breathed
foully at him. He knelt on all fours and was sick till his stomach was empty. Then, he took the lines
in his hands; he freed them from the rocks and the figure from the winds indignity. (Golding 146147)
a. Who is this passage about? Name both people.
This passage is about Simon and the deceased parachutist.
b. What important information did the boy in the passage discover? What does he decide he
must do as a result?
Simon realizes that the beast is really a dead man in a parachute. He decides to run down
the mountain to inform the other boys.
Chapter Analysis
Directions: Answer the following questions using complete sentences and blended textual
evidence/citations. Dont forget to restate!

2. Setting is the time, place, and atmosphere in which the action of a story takes place. Setting can
include time of day, weather, season, era, location, and social or political atmosphere. Mood is the
general emotional response that a reader feels when reading. Writers use figurative language,
details, dialogue, and foreshadowing to help set the mood in a piece of literature. Mood is often
expressed in adjectives which describe how the writer intends to make you feel, like: tense, serene,
somber, optimistic, dark, and depressed.
Describe the setting of the island in the first paragraph of Chapter 9
Setting: The island is unbearably hot with static air and cloud coverage indicating a brewing storm.
The sun has left and been replaced by a colorless sky and water.
Over the island the build-up of clouds continued. A steady current of heated air rose all day from
the mountain and was thrust to ten thousand feet; revolving masses of gas piled up the static until
the air was ready to explode (Golding 145).
Clouds drained from water and trees and pink surfaces of rock, and the white and brown clouds
brooded (Golding 145).
Based on Goldings description, give at least 1-2 words that describe the mood of the setting

described in the first paragraph. Record at least 1-2 sentences from the first paragraph that you
think demonstrate the mood you have chosen.
Mood: Anything describing the mood as dreary or lackluster; I.e: somber, barren, gloomy,
foreboding, etc.

3. What does Simon discover about the beast? What does he decide to do as a result?
Simon discovers that the beast is really a dead man in a parachute. He decides that he must leave
the mountain at once to inform the others of his finding. The novel states, The beast was harmless
and horrible; and the news must reach the others as soon as possible. He started down the
mountain and his legs gave beneath him. Even with great care the best he could do was stagger
(Golding 147).
4. Describe Jacks party. How does Jack react to Ralph and Piggys presence?
Jacks party consists of a large fire in which the freshly killed pig is roasting. The boys are laughing,
singing, and eating in the grass. Some boys drink from coconut shells. Jack sits on a log in the
center, painted as if he were an idol. The only three boys who are not in attendance are Ralph,
Piggy, and Simon. Once they join the party, Jack seems accepting of them and orders his tribe to
give both boys some meat.
5. What do you think causes the change in the mood between Jack and Ralph at the party? How is
Jacks tribe different than the tribe of boys that are with Ralph?
Ralph and Jack seem to get along until Ralph reminds Jack of the roles of the group and the rules
that were originally established by the boys. Ralph attends Jacks party as an outsider, yet he tries
to establish his dominance as chief by reminding the group that he was their chosen leader. This
does not go well with Jack who comes up with new rules for his camp Ralph didnt bring the fire
with him so its irrelevant at Jacks camp. Jack also claims that the conch doesnt count at this
end of the island and that if the conch is blown, no one will hear it (Golding 150-151). The main
difference between Jack and Ralphs tribes is obvious Jack is worried about fun and hunting
whereas Ralph is worried about fire, rescue, and order.
6. What terrible tragedy occurs at the end of Chapter 9? In your opinion, what caused it to happen
and who is to blame?
The end of chapter 9 takes place at night. At the end of chapter 9, the boys are engaged in a savage
frenzied dance in which they chant kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! Do him in! In the
midst of this chant, Simon stumbles out of the forest, attempting to inform the boys of the beasts
non-existence. Simon stumbles into the middle of the chant/dance and is mistaken for the beast.
Because of this, he is savagely attacked and murdered by the boys.
7. What do you believe the tragedy at the end of Chapter 9 symbolizes? How does this relate to the
overall theme of civilization vs. savagery?

Simons death symbolizes the complete loss of innocence on the island and the fact that innate
human savagery exists in all human beings, including young children. Simons peaceful, quiet,
helpful nature represents the innocence on the island. When the boys kill Simon, they are acting on
the savage instinct that the beast represents.
This relates to the overall theme of civilization vs. savagery in several ways. Humans have a natural
instinct to live by the rules, act peacefully, follow moral commands, and value the good of the group.
However, when left to their own devices, Golding implies, people naturally revert to cruelty, savagery,
and barbarism. This is evidenced by the boys and their dissent into savagery by committing the
ultimate sin against humanity: taking the life of another.

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