Lord of the Flies Group

Question:

snaillians
snaillians
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What does Golding mean by the below quote from Lord of the Flies?

"The half-shut eyes were dim with the infinite cynicism of adult life. They assured Simon that everything was a bad business"?

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Posted by snaillians on Saturday August 4, 2007 at 6:26 PM and tagged with lord of the flies, quotes.

Answers:


  1. jamie-wheeler Teacher
    College - Sophomore

    eNotes Editor

    Simon fights with all his feeble power against the message
    of the head, against the "ancient, inescapable recognition." The recognition against which he struggles is the revelation to him of human capacities for evil and the superficial nature of human moral systems. It is the knowledge of the end of innocence, for  which Ralph is to weep at the close of the book. The pig's head seems to threaten Simon with death and reveals that it is "the Beast." 

    " 'Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and
    kill!' said the head. For a moment or two the forest and all the other dimly appreciated places echoed the parody of laughter. 'You knew, didn't you? I'm part of you? Close, close, close!  I'm the reason why it's no go? Why things are what they are?' "

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/lord-flies
    http://www.lib.ru/GOLDING/masterflyes_engl.txt_Piece40.15

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    Posted by jamie-wheeler on Saturday August 4, 2007 at 6:52 PM