Lord of the Flies
CHAPTER SEVEN
by Golding, WilliamIn Chapter Seven of *Lord of the Flies*, titled “Shadows and Tall Trees,” Ralph follows Jack along the pig-run near the water, attempting to momentarily forget the fear of the beast and the oppressive heat of the island. As the group pauses to eat fruit, Ralph becomes acutely aware of his unkempt appearance and the gradual decline in personal hygiene that all the boys are experiencing. This realization underscores the erosion of their civilized identities as they adapt to the harsh realities of survival. Despite the discomfort, Ralph accepts these conditions as his new normal, reflecting the boys’ slow descent into savagery.
Ralph wanders to the rocky shore and contemplates the vastness of the ocean, which serves as a physical and symbolic barrier to rescue. The endless rise and fall of the waves emphasize their isolation and helplessness. Simon’s quiet reassurance that Ralph will return home contrasts with the overwhelming presence of the sea, offering a glimmer of hope amid despair. Their brief exchange highlights the tension between rational fear and hopeful belief, illustrating the complex emotional states the boys endure on the island.
As the hunters prepare to continue the search for the beast, Jack insists on the necessity of securing meat, blending their primal needs with the looming threat. The group’s slow progress and Jack’s leadership during the hunt reveal the growing influence of fear and the beast on their actions. Ralph, meanwhile, drifts into a nostalgic daydream, recalling memories of his past life, family, and the comfort of home. These reflections deepen the contrast between the boys’ former civilized existence and their current savage reality.
The chapter captures the boys’ psychological and physical transformations as they confront the island’s challenges. The interplay of fear, hope, and memory shapes their behavior and relationships. The natural environment—both the enclosing forest and the vast ocean—symbolizes their entrapment and the thin line between civilization and savagery. Through Ralph’s perspective, the narrative explores themes of isolation, the loss of innocence, and the persistent human desire for rescue and return to order.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter depict Ralph’s changing perception of himself and the group in terms of their physical condition and habits?
Answer:
In this chapter, Ralph becomes acutely aware of the physical deterioration both he and the other boys have undergone. He notices his long, filthy hair, bitten nails, and grimy skin, realizing these conditions have become his new normal despite once having been clean and well-groomed. The boys’ clothes are worn and stiff with sweat, not worn for comfort but out of habit. This reflection highlights a loss of civilized standards and a growing acceptance of their wild, neglected state. Ralph’s internal discomfort and nostalgia for his previous life underscore the theme of the boys’ gradual descent from order into savagery.2. What role does the setting of the sea and the pig-run play in shaping the mood and themes of the chapter?
Answer:
The sea and pig-run settings create a contrasting backdrop that reinforces themes of isolation, danger, and the passage of time. The pig-run near the rocks is a place of tangible action and survival, linked to hunting and the physical struggle for food. The sea, described as vast, relentless, and indifferent, symbolizes the immense barrier separating the boys from civilization and rescue. Its “brute obtuseness” and “momentous rise and fall” emphasize their helplessness and the overwhelming forces beyond their control. This duality between the hostile natural world and the boys’ attempts to assert control deepens the mood of tension and uncertainty.3. Analyze the interaction between Ralph and Simon regarding the possibility of rescue. What does this reveal about their characters and the novel’s broader themes?
Answer:
Ralph expresses doubt and skepticism about the chance of rescue, reflecting his practical and sometimes cynical nature. Simon, however, offers a quiet, almost mystical reassurance that Ralph will get back home, despite the overwhelming odds. This interaction showcases Simon’s role as a symbol of faith and hope, contrasting Ralph’s realism. Simon’s conviction, though unexplained, suggests a deeper spiritual or intuitive understanding of their situation. Their exchange highlights the novel’s broader themes of faith versus doubt, hope amidst despair, and the conflict between rationality and instinct in the boys’ struggle for survival.4. How does the chapter illustrate the boys’ relationship with fear, particularly the fear of the “beast”?
Answer:
Fear permeates the boys’ behavior and decisions throughout the chapter. The hunters move cautiously, “bunched a little by fear of the mentioned beast,” indicating that the unknown threat influences their dynamics and slows their progress. The “beast” functions as a powerful symbol of their internal anxieties and the darkness within themselves. This fear disrupts their attempts to function as a group and adds tension to their hunt. The chapter shows how fear can both unite and divide, motivating action while also causing hesitation and paranoia, which foreshadows further conflict.5. What is the significance of Ralph’s daydreams and memories in this chapter? How do they contribute to the narrative?
Answer:
Ralph’s daydreams and memories offer a poignant glimpse into his longing for the safety and normalcy of his past life. His recollections of living with his family, watching snowflakes, and a home environment contrast sharply with his current wild and precarious existence. These moments of introspection deepen our understanding of Ralph’s character, emphasizing his connection to the civilized world and the innocence he is losing. Narratively, they serve as a counterpoint to the harsh reality on the island, underscoring the theme of lost innocence and the psychological toll of isolation on the boys.
Quotes
1. “He discovered with a little fall of the heart that these were the conditions he took as normal now and that he did not mind.”
This quote captures Ralph’s dawning realization of how much his standards and perceptions have shifted since being stranded on the island. It reflects a key theme of the chapter: the gradual erosion of civilization and the acceptance of a harsher, more primitive reality.
2. “Now the sea would suck down, making cascades and waterfalls of retreating water, would sink past the rocks and plaster down the seaweed like shining hair: then, pausing, gather and rise with a roar, irresistibly swelling over point and outcrop…”
This vivid, poetic description of the ocean emphasizes the overwhelming power and indifference of nature. It sets the tone for the chapter’s meditation on isolation and the formidable barrier that the sea represents between the boys and the world they have left behind.
3. “This was the divider, the barrier. On the other side of the island, swathed at midday with mirage, defended by the shield of the quiet lagoon, one might dream of rescue; but here, faced by the brute obtuseness of the ocean, the miles of division, one was clamped down, one was helpless, one was condemned…”
This passage highlights the psychological and physical separation from civilization that the island imposes. It underscores the theme of entrapment and the crushing reality of the boys’ predicament, contrasting hope with despair.
4. “\“You’ll get back to where you came from.\” … \“No, I’m not. I just think you’ll get back all right.\””
Simon’s quiet reassurance to Ralph introduces a moment of hope and faith amid uncertainty. This exchange is significant because it reveals Simon’s unique perspective and inner conviction, contrasting with Ralph’s skepticism and highlighting a spiritual or intuitive dimension in the narrative.