Lord of the Flies Group

Question:

esperanzadc
esperanzadc
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What does the change from civilized time [the time of the clock] to natural time [the time of the sun] foreshadow in "Lord of the Flies"?

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Posted by esperanzadc on Tuesday September 16, 2008 at 4:15 PM and tagged with chapter 4, civilized time, foreshadow, lord of the flies, natural time, time.

Answers:


  1. katemschultz Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The change from civilized time to natural time foreshadows the idea that the boys are eventually going to change from their civilized selves to their natural selves. Without something civilized (like time, a government or rules, etc) to rule them or govern or show them right from wrong, the boys will resort to their natural instinct--the instinct for survival, the animalistic instinct for revenge and to kill, the natural instinct of fight-or-flight.

    When the boys feel the have the freedom to change or control their idea of something so important and usually set in stone, such as time, the subconsciously will believe they have the power to do and change other important things. They will then take other important things--such a life, survival, etc--into their own hands. They have become authoritarian and will soon slip into more dangerous territory.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/flies

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    Posted by katemschultz on Tuesday September 16, 2008 at 5:36 PM