Lord of the Flies Group

Question:

starrr11
starrr11
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Why doesn't Jack kill the pig in chapter 1 of "Lordof the Flies"?

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Posted by starrr11 on Sunday September 28, 2008 at 1:51 PM and tagged with jack, lord of the flies, pig.

Answers:

  1. siciliagenoa
    siciliagenoa Student
    High School - 10th Grade

    "Becase of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood."

    jack is still an innocent boy and is unable to kill a living animal.

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    Posted by siciliagenoa on Sunday September 28, 2008 at 2:14 PM


  2. luannw Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    Jack is still civilized in this early chapter.  The story is meant to bring out the idea that people have an inherent evilness within them that is only kept in check because of society's guidelines. The boys have just landed on the island in the scene in chapter 1 where the boys encounter the pig.  Being that recently removed from civilization, Jack still operates within the perameters of society, thus is unable to bring down the knife into the living flesh of the pig.  He vows afterward though that the next time he encounters a pig, he will not hesitate.  This is foreshadowing letting the reader know that he will lose the hesitation caused by civilization.

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

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    Posted by luannw on Sunday September 28, 2008 at 2:59 PM