Why did Ralph make a fire? In William Golding’s novel “Lord of the Flies”, Ralph, the protagonist, makes a fire in order to be rescued. The fire symbolizes hope and civilization, which are essential for the survival of the boys on the island. Ralph understands that their only chance of being rescued is by creating a signal fire that can be seen by passing ships or planes.
Why did Ralph make a fire? (Answer)
Ralph’s decision to make a fire is based on his rational thinking and leadership skills. He realizes that they need to attract attention from outside in order to be rescued. This decision shows his maturity and responsibility as he takes charge of the situation and tries to find a way out of the predicament they find themselves in.
The children eagerly take up the challenge of making a fire. They rush to the top of the mountain and collect wood for the fire. This eagerness demonstrates their willingness to cooperate with Ralph’s plan, which is crucial for their survival on the island. However, Piggy finds this very childish as he thinks they should focus on building shelters instead.
When they have stacked the wood for the fire, there is no way to light it. This highlights the boys’ lack of practical skills and knowledge about survival in nature. They are unable to start a fire without Piggy’s glasses, which shows how dependent they are on technology.
Jack takes Piggy’s glasses against his will, indicating his growing power-hungry nature and disregard for rules and authority. This action foreshadows Jack’s descent into savagery later in the novel.
How does Ralph start the fire in Lord of the Flies?
Ralph starts the fire in Lord of the Flies by collecting a mound of dead wood and using the lenses from Piggy’s glasses to focus the sunlight and set the wood on fire.
What does Piggy say they should have done before starting a fire?
Piggy suggests that they should have built shelters before starting a fire.
Why does Ralph keep forgetting why they should make the fire?
Ralph keeps forgetting why they should make the fire because he is feeling hopeless about getting rescued. The lack of progress and the mounting challenges on the island have led him to doubt that they will ever be rescued. This sense of hopelessness causes Ralph’s mind to wander, making it difficult for him to focus on the importance of maintaining a signal fire.
How does the fire become uncontrollable?
The fire becomes uncontrollable in Lord of the Flies because the sparks easily spread from the wind onto dry wood and leaves, causing the fire to rapidly escalate and become difficult to contain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ralph makes a fire because he understands its importance as a signal for rescue. His decision reflects his rational thinking and leadership skills while highlighting the boys’ lack of practical skills in survival situations. The incident also sets up future conflicts between Ralph and Jack over leadership roles on the island.