Home > Lord of the Flies Summary & Study Guide > Lord of the Flies Group > Question and Answer

Question:

Answers:

1. 
   ladyvols1 Teacher
   High School - 9th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   In chapter 8 after Jack runs off to hunt Simon goes to sit alone in the forest.  The author tells us that he becomes hot from the sun.  He remains and becomes hotter and hotter.  He is thirsty and uncomfortably hot.  The boys come to butcher the sow near where he is hiding and Jack impales the head of the hog on a stick.  Simon sees the head.  He says he can still see it when he shuts his eyes.  He begins to talk to the pig head.  He then realizes that he believes the pig is talking to him, telling him to go back to the others.  He becomes disoriented, the flies begin to attack him and he passes out. The clues are the hot sun, the sweating, the thirst, and the trama of seeing the pig's head on a post.  Simon begins to hallucinate and talks to the pig.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/flies

   Rate answer:

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by ladyvols1 on Sunday October 12, 2008 at 3:33 PM
   
   

2. 
   gbeatty Teacher
   College - Freshman

   eNotes Editor

   There are a number of cues that the pig's head is not really speaking in Chapter 8. Simon mentions having a "little headache," letting us know he is not well. He realizes that the head "appeared to agree with him" about what's going on—meaning, it really doesn't. The biggest clue is probably the line "so that what was real seemed illusive and without definition." That's pretty much saying that what Simon sees isn't really what is happening, and that includes the pig's head speaking. Due to his personal state, and the emotional upheaval on the island, he's imagining it.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/flies/chapter-8-summary-analysis

   Rate answer:

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by gbeatty on Sunday October 12, 2008 at 5:21 PM