Lord of the Flies Group

Question:

tyler8763
tyler8763
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Why do Ralph and Piggy join the dance in Lord of the Flies?

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Posted by tyler8763 on Monday March 3, 2008 at 10:11 AM and tagged with characters, dance, lord of the flies, piggy, ralph.

Answers:


  1. mrerick Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Because of the power of a group and the need to be accepted--parents and teachers usually bag it all together and call it peer pressure, but it's probably much bigger than that. Humans have a natural need to be accepted and a drive to be a part of something bigger; it's not natural to be alone with anything. Ralph and Piggy are both standing outside of the group and realize they will probably only get farther away from the social circle Jack has created. The chance to join the dance and chant is a rare opportunity for these two boys to become a part of that larger group again; something they won't pass up.

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    Posted by mrerick on Monday March 3, 2008 at 12:21 PM


  2. amy-lepore Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Plain and simple: Peer Pressure.  They needed to be part of this social activity which is easy to get caught up in with the rhythmic "beating" of their voices like drums as they sing and dance around the fire.  Remember, they have been on the outside in their small group for quite some time, and it is a wonderful feeling to be part of something larger--to belong and not be targeted.  There is safety in numbers.  It is also very primitive in bonding and preparing for the hunt or celebrating the victory of a hunt, which is the case here.  They were reenacting the hunt for the boar, celebrating their success, cooking the meat, and eating.  Maybe moreso than anything else, Ralph and Piggy were hungry for good, hot, nourishing protein.

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

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    Posted by amy-lepore on Monday March 3, 2008 at 12:59 PM