How does Jack react to Piggy’s death? William Golding’s novel, “Lord of the Flies,” explores the dark side of human nature and how society can quickly break down under certain circumstances. One of the key characters in this novel is Jack, who begins as a charismatic leader but ultimately devolves into a savage dictator. When Piggy, one of the few remaining symbols of civilization on the island, is tragically killed towards the end of the book, it raises questions about how Jack will react to this event.
How does Jack react to Piggy’s death? (Answer)
Jack ultimately reacts to Piggy’s death with no real sense of regret or mourning. At this point in the novel, Jack has already descended into barbarism, so his reaction to Piggy’s death is not entirely surprising. When he witnesses Piggy’s death at the hands of Roger and sees his lifeless body fall off a cliff and onto rocks below, Jack initially feels a mixture of loathing and excitement over what he has just witnessed. This is similar to how he felt when he first killed a pig on the island; there is no longer any hesitation or remorse in his actions.
However, when Piggy’s lifeless body touches Jack’s shoulder as it falls past him towards its final resting place on rocks below him, Jack shudders. This moment represents an acknowledgment, whether conscious or subconscious, that humanity has let him down. At that moment, he realizes that what was once considered normal behavior has turned into savagery under his leadership.
Jack ultimately reacts to Piggy’s death with no real sense of regret or mourning. Rather than showing remorse for his role in creating an environment that led to such destruction and killing, he relishes it as if it were some sort of victory over civilization itself.
Quotes about Jack’s reaction to Piggy’s death
Here are some quotes from “Lord of the Flies” that show how Jack reacts to Piggy’s death and an explanation of how they reveal his reaction:
1. “At the foot of the high cliff, a huge mass of rock, trundled, hit the sea and exploded in a thousand fragments. The stone, that token of preposterous time, bounded five hundred feet and sank in the sea. The wave came back, took the form of a great ridge and leaned over to fall upon the beach. The little ones screamed and blundered about—doubtless some had begun to whimper again—when they saw Simon crawling toward them.” (Chapter 11)
This quote shows Jack’s lack of empathy toward Piggy’s death, as he is not mentioned at all when it happens. Instead, Golding describes in detail how Simon is crawling toward them.
2. “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” (Chapter 11)
This quote illustrates Jack’s violent nature, as he is indirectly responsible for killing Piggy by allowing Roger to throw rocks down on him.
3. “His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. And in the middle of them with filthy body, matted hair ,and unwiped nose Ralph wept for end of innocence…The tears began to flow and sobs shook him…even though he disliked him because he knew that they would never be able to make fire again…” (Chapter 12)
This quote shows Jack’s lack of remorse or regret regarding his role in Piggy’s death; he doesn’t even bother attending to Ralph’s emotional breakdown after realizing what has happened.
4. “Jack himself shrank at this cry with a hiss of indrawn breath, and for a minute became less a hunter than a furtive thing, ape-like among the tangle of trees. Then the trail, the frustration, claimed him again and he searched the ground avidly.” (Chapter 11)
This quote demonstrates Jack’s internal conflict as he initially appears to recoil from Piggy’s death but quickly regains his composure and continues hunting.
These quotes demonstrate that Jack is primarily concerned with his own power and dominance over others. When it comes to achieving his goals, he is willing to use violence and intimidation without any real sense of regret or remorse. Piggy’s death is just another example of how Jack’s desire for power has led to tragedy on the island.
Where does Ralph go after Piggy’s death & the twins capture?
After Piggy’s death and the capture of the twins, Ralph hides in the jungle and reflects on the overwhelming chaos that has taken hold of the island. He contemplates the tragic deaths of Simon and Piggy, coming to a stark realization that all remnants of civilization have been completely eradicated from their once-peaceful paradise.
How does Ralph react to Piggy’s death?
Ralph reacts to Piggy’s death with a sense of hopelessness, struggling to accept that Piggy’s demise was accidental.
How does Roger react to Piggy’s death?
Roger reacts to Piggy’s death with indifference and a disturbing sense of satisfaction. He is shown to have been gradually descending into savagery throughout the novel, enjoying the power he derives from causing pain and fear. When he releases the boulder that strikes Piggy, ultimately leading to his death, Roger displays a callous lack of remorse or empathy, highlighting his complete surrender to the primal instincts within him.
How did Piggy die?
Piggy dies when Roger intentionally rolls a boulder down the mountainside, striking Piggy, shattering the conch shell he is holding, and causing him to fall off the mountainside onto the rocks below.
What does Piggy’s death symbolize?
Piggy’s death in Lord of the Flies symbolizes the complete disintegration of Ralph’s fragile group and serves as a victory for the forces of violence and brutality over the forces of wisdom, kindness, and civility. It highlights the triumph of chaos and savagery over reason and order, emphasizing how civilization can crumble in the face of unchecked power and aggression.
What does the breaking of the conch represent?
The breaking of the conch in Lord of the Flies represents the end of civilized rules and democracy on the island. The conch shell symbolizes order and authority, as it is used to call meetings and maintain order among the boys. When it is shattered, it signifies the complete breakdown of their organized society and the loss of democratic values, leading to a descent into chaos and savagery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jack ultimately reacts to Piggy’s death with no real sense of regret or mourning. Lord Of The Flies explores themes regarding humanity’s natural instinct towards evilness when put in dire situations with little formality or structure around them. In the book, we witness this harsh reality through characters like Jack, whose power-hungry nature leads him down a path toward madness rather than civil behavior. Piggy’s death serves as a reminder of just how far the characters have devolved and how quickly humanity can turn against itself, even in the most unexpected ways.