Periods 1,2,3 and 4

Chapter 6 - “Beast From Air”

Vocabulary

Leviathan (p.105)                               mutinously (p.108)              emphatic (p.101)                 exasperation (p.102)           guano (p.106)

clamor (p.108)                     tremulously (p.99)               interminable (p.99)              impenetrable (p.104)          taut (p.107)

Questions

1.     Discuss the significance of this chapter title.  Combined with Chapter Five, what might these two titles suggest to us about the mental state and thoughts of the boys?

2.     Ralph has been hoping and praying for a signal from the adult world, and in this chapter he gets it.  What is it and why is it ironic?  How does the dead parachutist become animated?

3.     a)    How does Golding use language to show that Sam and Eric are twins?

b)     Why do the twins fail to keep the fire going?

c)     What do they miss seeing because of this and what do they see instead?

d)    How do the twins feel about Ralph now?  Who do they compare him to?

4.     a)    At the assembly prompted by Sam and Eric’s experience, what do the boys decide to do about the beast?

b)     How is democracy breaking down?

c)     Why does Jack say they don’t need the conch anymore?

d)    Do you agree with Ralph’s statement that “rules are the only thing we’ve got”?

5.     Compare the assemblies that take place before and after the beast is actually sighted.  How do the tones of the assemblies differ?

6.     Discuss Sam and Eric’s description of the beast.  Is it an accurate account?

7.     Why does Ralph insist on being the first one to look for the beast?  Why does Jack insist on accompanying him?  What do their two views on how to deal with the beast symbolize?

8.     What is the meaning of the following statement:  “However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.”