Cry of The Hunters

Dear Mother.

Chpater 12

Well, today was the day of the hunt, not for pigs, but for me. Let me recall what happened yesterday. Yesterday, I went on a mission to find Samneric. It turned out that Samneric were joining the dark side and that I was on my own. They wished me luck and set me of, they said it was for my own good and they gave me some meat to. I told them where I was hiding, and I hoped they were still good and lead jack away from me. I hoped to diddle them. A day passed and I was still hiding in the brush, a stick sharpened and both ends? What could that mean?

I heard them make a cordon, and were combing through the forest by now. But they weren't making a cordon they were looking for me! Samneric must have told Jack! I heard a rock coming down the cliff they must be trying to scare me out, it wouldn't work. The rock hit me and I bit my finger so I wouldn't scream and then they would know where I was. There was only one other rock that they could possibility move, and that was a size of a small cottage. They then lit the forest and tried to burn me out. I meet a savage and bowled over him and was on the run again.

I meet a few savages and they didn't stay in my way. I made my way to the beach, there was a naval officer his coat was covered in epaulettes, and white drills on his coat. We were finally saved! Perceval approached the officer and was about to recite his name, address and phone number but he was so overwhelmed with the happiness of being rescued he broke down and started to cry in spite of happiness. The naval officer was disappointed in us for being such savages because we were British. Ralph takes responsibility for all the boys on the island and what the people had done because he thought he was still the leader, even though jack was the more powerful. Jack had no objection and was truly sorry for his actions.

finally Entry Ralph.

Castle Rock

Dear Mother

Chapter 11

When Ralph and co. meet up with Jack, Ralph tries to talk some sense into the savages as he demands Piggy's glasses back. Jack responds to this by attacking Ralph with his spear. The two leaders then engage in a duel, although Ralph cuts it short as he continues to reason with Jack. No such luck; Jack ignores Ralph's arguments, orders Sam'n'Eric to be tied up, and continues the fight.

Piggy breaks through to everyone and gets his turn to talk with Jack. He gets about as much progress as Ralph. Actually, things become worse, as the savages prepare to strike their enemies. All of a sudden, Roger, on top of the Castle Rock, shoves a giant boulder off on to the ground. The boulder slams into Piggy, presumably killing him to be honest; I expected a much gorier description. He got struck by a rock bigger than himself! Ralph, now alone, runs off into the forest.

I found the ending to this chapter really weird. It goes like this: "Roger edged past the Chief, only just avoiding pushing him with his shoulder. The yelling ceased, and Samneric lay looking up in quiet terror. Roger advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority." The chapter just ends like that. Roger did have one or two special scenes in the book, but nothing really significant. What makes him so major now that he possesses a "nameless authority" which is apparently suspenseful enough to end a chapter? Couldn't have Golding just ended it with some speech or something preferably from Jack?

Well anyway, Piggy's dead, and Sam'n'Eric are captured. That leaves Ralph. He's got no fire, no conch, no help and no way out. He's hopeless. He's doomed. I predict that in the next and final chapter, Ralph will have his final thoughts before the savages hunt him down and kill him, a tragically suiting ending to the story. It would be a nice resolution, a look back at the initial hopes of the boys' arrival on the island, and an analysis of what went wrong. 
Love
Ralph

The Shell and the Glasses

 

Dear Mother,

Character Journal Chapter 10

   After Simon's death, Ralph and Piggy are sitting on their platform. Ralph appears rather traumatized by the "murder" as he calls it of Simon. Piggy tries to justify their actions, but Ralph won't have any of it. The four remaining non-savage biguns, Ralph, Piggy, Sam'n'Eric decide to pretend that it didn't happen, that they didn't take part in the wild dance. Back at the savages' "Castle Rock," Jack is holding a meeting. He thinks that Ralph or even the beast will try and attack their cave Jack refuses to accept that the beast they supposedly attacked last night is dead. He promises his tribe more meat, but they have no means of cooking, so Jack decides to raid Ralph's group again for more fire.

Three savages attack at night. Ralph's group of biguns is assaulted by savages, but they manage to fend them off. After the attack, Ralph and co. are assessing the damage. Everyone seems fine, until Piggy seems to have lost his glasses. The boys look outside, and they see Jack walking away with two savages - and Piggy's glasses. All I can say is; man that is some good eyesight to be able to notice that much detail. And in the dark, too! Maybe I'm missing something, but to me, that is one impressive feat! There's something that intrigues me in this chapter; it's when Ralph is playing his "game of supposing." He thinks of landing in "that big airfield in Wiltshire," and then his thoughts turn to taking a train "all the way down to Devon." Was this where the boys were heading? Was only Ralph heading for these places? This book really should have been bigger - or at least the author should have given a premise in the beginning, and not part-way through the book. Jack is acting rather paranoid in this chapter. He strongly believes that the beast is still alive, even though the boys had already assaulted what they thought was the beast. Did Jack see it was Simon after all? Is he trying to convince himself that Simon's still alive? Is he in denial? Is he flat-out insane?

Well, Jack may be nervous, but it's Ralph who's really desperate now. Those glasses were the one advantage he had over Jack and his tribe. And now they're gone. He's basically left with nothing. His group has now diminished to three biguns and some littluns. Their one tool to make a fire and therefore their one chance for rescue has been stolen by Jack. Ralph is no longer the one in control now. I can only imagine that things are coming to a climax soon.

Signed Ralph

A View to a Death

 Dear Mother,

Character Journal Chapter 9

In this chapter the central emphasis is Simon. The chapter starts off by Simon getting back to reality after his “encounter” with the Lord of The Flies; he is a bit dazed of but manages to recover. He wakes up next to the dead sow that the hunters had killed and traveled back down the mountain. On Simons way down he sees what people called the beast. Since there was plenty of daylight it was clear to Simon that what everyone thought was the beast was actually a Dead parachutist. He hurries down the mountain to tell the others but when he gets down Ralph and the rest of his tribe were listening to jacks tribe eating and having fun, and Piggy suggests they go see what’s going on. I think this symbolizes how Ralph’s tribe isn’t in a very good situation, when piggy tells Ralph they should go see what’s going on he is essentially speaking for the rest of the tribe by saying that they are hungry and jack is probably cooking meat.

 By Ralph giving in to this suggestion he is showing his lack of leadership and control over the kids. They arrive to jacks camp and aren’t surprised to find that they have killed yet another pig and devouring it. But they are surprised to find that Sam and Eric were there all along joining them. This is showing how the situations of food in Ralph’s tribe aren’t very good and some kids have decided to take aid with jack’s tribe. When Jack sees Ralph’s tribe he doesn’t hesitate to offer them meat. This is a very sneaky move in jack’s part because he is making himself seem like the good guy and making Ralph seem like he can’t provide for his tribe. After some time the rain starts moving in and Ralph makes the point that they have shelters but Jack Answers comment by saying they have a chant. Suddenly all of jack’s tribe grabbed their spears and started chanting in circles.

 Kill the beast spill its blood cut its throat. By doing a dance jack’s tribe is reminding me of the Native Americans, they have become as savage as the Native Americans while still having a believed in a higher power. And in jacks tribe the higher power is the beast. As the chant goes on the rain gets stronger and stronger and a black figure comes sliding out of the bushes, Jacks tribe calls it the beast while Simon is trying to tell them it’s just a dead man, but they wouldn’t listen. I think this symbolizes how Jack and the rest of the hunters are not excepting the fact that their might not be a real beast, and that they don’t want to accept civilization ever again.

My predictions are that a time will come where the kids will be rescued but jack along with his hunters won’t accept civilization ever again because savagery would just be the easy way out.

Love

Ralph

On another note

Gift for the Darkness

Dear Mother,

Character Journal Chapter 8

After all the predictions that were made as a final point jack has broken away from the group and formed his own tribe. Jack has decided he doesn’t need to take orders from anyone to any further extent and especially not Ralph. Over the course of time that the kids have been stranded on the island Jack has showed jealousy of Ralph but now he has decided that he doesn’t need jack to tell him he can be leader. So by being leader of his own tribe I think this symbolizes the break of Ralphs rule over jack and maybe this is foreshadowing the fact that Jack will Rule over Ralph someday. Now that Jack has formed his own tribe he starts off with what he does best, hunting. At the beginning of the book I said that Jack was loosing part of his civilized side but now it’s gone to a point that he has no civilized part in him left. Jack has turned into a real savage that doesn’t have any interest in going back to his nice polite ways. And jack has influenced the rest of the hunters to do the same.

Jack starts hunting by going after a Sow. He injures the sow but he isn’t able to kill it, but because of his lack of civilized ways he doesn’t stop until he found the poor sow and ended its life by stabbing it until it squealed no more. I think that the sow symbolizes Jack and the rest of the hunter’s capacity of not giving up. It shows that Jack has turned into a person that won’t take no for an answer, and this may cause danger for Ralph and his tribe. Once Jack killed the sow, that didn’t satisfy him enough, and to show his fierceness he striped the head of the carcass and put it on a stick. In my opinion, Jack does this in order to scare Ralph’s tribe and let them know not to mess with them. I think jack wants to send the message of join me or don’t get in my way to Ralph’s tribe.

Simon is the only person who is undecided between the two tribes. When Jack decided to split into his own tribe Simon seemed as if he was favoring jacks tribe. But since the beginning of the book Simon was that innocent boy who loved nature and he will certainly go with Ralph’s tribe. But something happened to Simon when he met the lord of the flies, which I think is the devil himself. This encounter with the lord of the flies may change his perspective of things just because of fear.

My predictions For the rest of the book is that Simon will join Jacks tribe just because of fear and his guilt will make him betray Jacks tribe to do what he thinks is right.

Forever Ralph

Shadows and Tall Trees

Dear Mother,

Character Journal Chapter 7

We almost had it! We almost had the pig! I had speared it in the nose, but it got away anyway. Stupid I for letting it go like that. He’s not a true hunter. But I was so proud of myself anyway, kept going on about how he speared the pig and whatnot. Well newsflash we’ve actually killed a pig before. So there! Ha on me! Anyway, after we speared the pig and it cough got away thanks to someone cough me. We were all annoyed, for obvious reasons. Then someone I think it was Robert suggested we act out spearing the pig again. It was a really fun game, and we got super into it. But I guess we got a little too into it because soon Robert was screaming in pain. He tried to be brave about it later though. Complained about his bum or something. Then I had this brilliant idea that we make it a ritual. We could have someone dress up as the pig and, you know, act and pretend to knock me over and stuff. But then Robert says we need a real pig for that ‘cost it has to be killed. Who needs pigs? Just use a littluns.

 It’s not like they do anything useful. All they do is eat, sleep, and play all day long. If I had my way I’d banish them to the other side of the island, quick as a wink. They’re a burden on all of us and I honestly don’t see why Ralph bothers about them. Speaking of them, or should I say, His Royal Highness did I mention that he was the one to let the pig go? And I may have mentioned this once, or twice, or maybe a gazillion times but I seriously hate the guy. I do, honestly. Maybe the sensible thing would be to talk it over with him, but those guys so dead set on his ideas that I doubt he would listen to me. Anyway, who needs talking? Just follow your instinct and you’ll turn out all right. Maybe not clean, but all right. We’re all absolutely filthy. I think Ralph noticed this too, ‘cost he was kind of eyeing his clothes, then ours while on the hunt. Oh well. I guess that comes from being stranded on a deserted island that usually over 100 degrees.

By the way, we saw the beastie today. Much as I hate to admit I was wrong, the beastie does in fact exist. Nearly ran into it I did. A gust of wind came by right at that moment, and I guess it smelled me or something ‘cost it sat right up and stared at me. It was dark at the time. Might just have been a trick of the moonlight, but I don’t think so. It was just like Samneric described. Big black eyes, huge teeth, monstrous claws… ugh it was absolutely horrid. Naturally as soon as I saw it I bolted down the hill to tell Ralph and Roger or was it Maurice? what I had found. You should have seen them run. Like little rabbits they were. Anyway, we all turned and fled down the mountain, and luckily I’m still here to tell the tale. We all are actually, but that’s beside the point. But we really need to hunt, and soon. So sorry about this but I might not write as often. A busy fellow like me who’s about to get even busier doesn’t have time to just sit down and record the day in a journal. So now I am signing off, maybe for the last time.

Signed,

Ralph

Beast from Air

Dear Mother,

Character Journal chapter 6

When the chapter begins, Sam and Eric have let the signal fire die out. It was there responsibility to keep it going, but they fell asleep. It says of Sam and Eric, “But they could never manage to do things sensibly if that meant acting independently, and since staying awake all night was impossible, they had both gone to sleep” (84). The boys were irresponsible and did not keep the fire going. There were planes fighting overhead and maybe the fire could have been seen. Most of the boys don’t seem to be taking getting rescued too seriously. They let the fire go out again. If they understood how important it was they would be more trustworthy. Ralph is the only one that is constantly thinking about the fire. When Ralph says they need smoke, Roger shouts, “We’ve got plenty of time!” Roger and the other boys aren’t showing enough concern about the signal fire. They are more interested in having fun and rolling rocks off of cliffs.

Also, while Sam and Eric were walking up the trail, they see something in the shadows. They think it’s the beast as the head bobs up and down, but they can’t see it clearly. When they get back, they exaggerate about what they saw. They tell the other boys, “It was furry. There was something moving behind its head – wings” (88). The boys are letting their fears get the best of them. They didn’t see eyes and claws the way they say. Fear is starting to take more control over the island.

Ralph is barely hanging onto control. When they are debating whether to go back and make the fire, he has so scream, “No! I’m chief. We’ve got to make certain…Are you all off your rockers?” (95) Even though boys then do go back to the mountain to make the fire, Ralph is hanging on to his power by a thread. More boys are starting to question him, and to follow Jack.

Symbols

The beast: The beast seems to represent fear. The boys’ fear is getting worse, and their ideas about the beast are getting worse. They are making assumptions of the beast based on fear, and not facts.

Conch: The conch, which represents civilization and order. In this chapter, Jack says, “Conch! Conch!…We don’t need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things. What good did Simon do speaking, or Bill, or Walter? It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us” (89). The conch is starting to lose power and Jack is saying they should end the rule about letting anyone who has it to talk. The conch is becoming less important because order is becoming less important to the boys.

Predictions

I think Piggy will become leader because he has the best ideas.

Beast from Water

Dear Mother

Character Journal chapter 5

            Jack came today, with Maurice and Robert. They told us they were having a feast, and we could come if we wanted to. I fear Samneric, being littluns, will go with their short-term instincts and join Jack. All the littluns will probably go, leaving me, Ralph and Simon. I’m still concerned with him; he spends so much time alone in the forest. He’s cracked, something is eating at him. And the fire can’t go in the best location, it’s down here. It’s like its lower, not as important to everyone. Everything was starting off so well.

How could it all come to this? The boys are not very serious in the meeting and are not doing their jobs. I tell the boys, “We need an assembly. Not for fun. Not for laughing and falling off the log. Jack goes on to complain that the kids aren’t getting fresh water from the stream for drinking, they aren’t helping build shelters, and the boys aren’t using the correct place for the lavatory.

Ralph has told them about the importance of these things, but the kids aren’t listening. But Jack gains the trust of the kids because he offers them protection. Jack speaks without the conch, breaking the rules by not having it.

 With faith

Ralph

"Painted Faces and Long Hair"

Dear Mother,

Character Journal chapter 4

          I’m worried about Simon. He goes off and spends so much time alone with that pig head in the clearing. It’s almost like he’s talking to it or something. Ralph’s worried too, but not about Simon. We were talking on the beach, and he said he can’t understand why no one believe that without a fire, we’ll die here on this island. It’s Jack’s fault, for causing trouble and trying to annoy Ralph. Samneric aren’t much good here. They want to leave for Jack like the rest of them. They believe he’ll help them and give them food.

Can’t they see by separating, we’re killing ourselves? In another instance Roger refrains from throwing stones directly at Henry. This shows he is still somewhat civilized.  Prediction: These uncivilized acts could lead to jobs not being completed in future chapters and many more occurrences where they fail to signal rescuers. Things heat up between Ralph and Piggy when Piggy thinks they should make a sundial but Ralph says no in a rude and sarcastic way.

With love

Ralph

"Huts on the Beach" by the shore

Dear Mother,

 

Character Journal chapter 3

We haven’t seen Simon yet, but we did find out what happened to the 3 boys who left for Jack. Under his leadership, they’ve formed a hunting tribe. Apparently, they made a kill today, even though their brains are smaller than those of the pigs they hunt. It was a sow from Jack’s long-winded description. I feel bad for the piglets; they’ll surely die with no mother to take good care of them. In this respect, we’re piglets ourselves. No one to look after us, and if Jack continues on what he’s doing, fated to die here without rescue.

Piggy was having a meltdown and complaining that he couldn't see without his specs, but I could care less. We got fire! Everybody, including the littluns, was rushing to get firewood to keep the fire burning. But it was noted that there was no smoke, so no one would see us. Then that fat oaf Piggy started complaining about it and that we made a fire that was no good. I can't remember how many times I had to tell him to shut up.

He thinks he can say what he wants just because he has the conch. The idiot! Doesn't he know it doesn't matter when we're not on the island during a meeting?

Yours Truly

Ralph

"Fire on the Mountain" Dark Side

Dear Mother,

Character Journal chapter 2

Jack left, but he’ll be back before night, with no shelter and the Beast on the loose. I couldn’t believe there was a Beast before, but now I’m really not sure. After Jack left, Simon had the idea to go on the mountain and see if there really is a Beast there, like Samneric said. I said it wouldn’t do any good, and suggested we build a fire down here, by the bath pools. People seemed a bit happier, with some physical activity to distract them from Jack. After we made a small fire, we discovered Bill, Maurice and Roger had left, probably to find Jack. And Simon is gone. I fear he tried to climb the mountain himself.

The boys are not obeying specific essential rules. They refuse to work at building shelters, they do not gather drinking water, they neglect the signal fire, and they do not even use the designated toilet area. He restates the importance of the signal fire and attempts to allay the group’s growing fear of beasts and monsters. Littluns also wants to allay any fears of the beast. The meeting of course falls apart...

The boys drift toward Jack and chaos. Everything goes to fall! They end up looking for the beast but Ralph feels increasingly impotent. The boys argue with him and basically gravitate towards Jack.

Sincerely

Ralph

A fair-haired boy on the reef

Now that we have been here on this island for a couple of weeks everything starts to get worse. The littluns fear an imaginary beast and the begins, even Ralph, fear Jack. But it is another thing that makes me feel afraid, today they Jack, his hunters and Ralph did something that reminded me of religious rites. They danced and chanted and pretended that Roger was a pig and pretended to stab him with their wooden spears.

 Robert cried with fear but they didn’t seem to care. Even Ralph, who is one of the more intelligent ones on this island, took part in this game. Today there was a kind of excitement in the air that drove people mad. What would they do if they had really killed him? Would they even care? And, yet more important, what are they able to do? Will they really take a littlun, like Jack said? Will they kill a human being? I hope that we will be rescued soon. I can’t cope with this any longer. To be on an island together with foolish boys who think that they are adults and that their actions are reasonable. I don’t know how to tell them any longer that we won’t be rescued if there is no fire on the mountain. And there will be no fire as long as they believe that there is a beast on the mountain.

How can I show them that the beast only exists in their imagination? That the only beast in this island is some of us? What can I do to help the littluns and Piggy? Jack has changed so dramatically! Once he was a calm and friendly boy and now everyone fears him. I am too weak for this burden… I am too weak to stop him. What can I do? I don’t know! I think that something really dangerous will happen in the next few days if nothing important changes.  

Love

Ralph