Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis
Summary
Jacks stalks through the jungle after a pig, tracking its movement through the brush and wielding a sharpened stick. After noticing some disarrayed vines, Jack finds a pig run and hears a pig rustling ahead. He hurls his spear at the pig but it scampers away into the jungle.
When Jack returns to the beach, he finds Ralph and Simon working to build a series of shelters. Simon, busy within one of the shelters, makes a mistake, and a section of the shelter collapses. In three days of labor, Ralph and Simon have only raised two shoddy shelters. They are growing frustrated, particularly by their lack of assistance; Ralph blames Jack for not helping, and Simon blames the littluns for their inability to focus on a task for more than a few minutes. Jack defends himself, claiming that hunting is an equally crucial task. Ralph retorts by pointing out that Jack’s fellow hunters all abandoned him and that Jack has been unsuccessful so far.
The argument gives way to a discussion of the “beastie.” The littluns have been dreaming about it at night, an event Simon considers significant enough that the “beastie” ought to be taken seriously. Jack adds that he feels a presence stalking him when he hunts and that he suspects it may be the “beastie.” Ralph thinks that, whether it exists or not, the only solution is to get rescued. Jack, seemingly uninterested in the prospect of rescue, falls again into his dream of killing a pig.
Ralph and Jack then wander down the beach together, each lost in thought. Ralph is primarily concerned with building shelters for all the boys and tending the fire so as to get rescued. Jack is unswervingly obsessed with hunting. When they speak, they cannot communicate. Ralph is repelled by Jack’s monomania. Jack cares little for Ralph’s efforts. They remain locked in their differences of opinion.
Simon begins to walk with the other two boys but soon veers off alone into a particularly inviting portion of the jungle. He walks among laden orchards, plucking fruit to share with the younger boys. As he progresses deeper into the jungle, Simon slowly rises into a kind of reverie, enchanted by the rich perfume of the forest foliage and dazzled by the play of evening light as it deepens and descends through the canopy. He is enraptured first by the glowing heat and then by the oncoming coolness of night. He studies the “candle-buds” that open to the evening sky, expanding their white flowers upward and thickening the air with their heady elixir; overhead, night slowly floods the heavens, casting down shimmers of starlight.
Analysis
The theme of political disorder that arises in Chapter 2 continues in Chapter 3. The boys cannot unify and stay organized. More importantly, Ralph and Jack, the two leaders of the group, cannot agree on an agenda and are slowly becoming riven by their disagreements. The two boys harbor different sets of priorities. For Ralph, protecting the group and getting rescued is the most important. For Jack, killing a pig is what matters most.
Ralph’s plan encompasses the good of the other boys and extends into the future. By contrast, Jack can only think of his immediate, self-directed desire to hunt. Jack's desire to hunt and consume the pig also reflects his relationship with the land. As he hunts, Jack becomes "dog-like," "crouched" close to the ground and walking on all fours. This "maddening" need to eat meat is stifled by the "uncommunicative forest" that Jack cannot seem to understand or control, causing more frustration. The closer he...
(This entire section contains 915 words.)
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tries to reach domination, the further he actually gets from success.
Ralph’s growing frustrations with the lack of progress contribute to the mounting chaos within the boys’ fragile order. Ralph is burdened by his leadership role and sees the lack of organization and progress on the shelters as harmful to the boys’ society. Furthermore, his preoccupation with the fire, and his difficulty in getting others to care about it, reveal the fire as a symbol of responsibility. Ralph knows that they must be responsible and work hard to get rescued, but it is becoming increasingly difficult.
The “beastie” is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Whether or not it really exists, it is real in the imaginations of the younger boys, who dream of it. When Jack claims to have felt its presence pursuing him in the jungle, he lends the creature a greater status in the group’s collective imagination.
Simon emerges as a unique and important character. To Ralph, he is central, the only boy who assists him in his efforts. And yet he is still “queer” and “funny,” a characterization with which Jack agrees. Indeed, the final scene of the chapter offers readers a direct view into Simon’s world, which is a flood of sensuous experiences. As the narration drifts into Simon’s consciousness at the chapter’s end, Golding intensifies the language, evoking through rich sensory detail the jungle as night falls upon it. The sights, sounds, textures, temperatures, scents, and colors of the forest are all made more vivid for the reader when channeled through Simon’s experience of it. With his aesthetic and artistic sensibility, Simon plays the role of a Monet or Gauguin whom we can follow across the island’s landscape, seeing it all the better through his eye. His ability to see events clearly separates him from the other boys on the island.
Expert Q&A
How does this quote from chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies end: "While I..."?
The quote "While I..." from chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies ends just like that, indicating Ralph's frustration with Jack. Ralph is upset because he takes responsibility for the unenjoyable but necessary tasks to improve their chances of survival and rescue, while Jack only does what he enjoys, like hunting. This tension reflects their different values and the growing power struggle between them.
In Lord of the Flies, chapter 3, what quotes show the boys' lost innocence?
In Lord of the Flies, chapter three, one quote that demonstrates how the boys have lost their innocence comes when Jack says, “You can feel as if you’re not hunting, but—being hunted, as if something’s behind you all the time in the jungle.” This shows the island no longer feels like a paradise but a place of danger.
Where does Simon go at the end of Chapter 3 in Lord of the Flies? Why is he considered odd?
At the end of Chapter 3 in Lord of the Flies, Simon goes into the jungle to be alone. He is considered odd because he enjoys solitude, a preference the other boys find strange, and because of his unusual appearance and quiet demeanor. Simon's appreciation for the jungle's beauty and his helpfulness to the younger boys also set him apart.
Which types of imagery (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile) are included in the jungle description in chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies?
- Visual
- Auditory
- Olfactory
- Tactile
In chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies, Golding incorporates all four types of imagery in the jungle description. Visual imagery is prevalent, detailing the jungle's sunlight, plants, and a fallen tree. Auditory imagery captures sounds like birds calling and ocean waves breaking. Olfactory imagery is presented through the scent of candle-buds, and tactile imagery is conveyed through the textures of the ground and creepers Simon encounters.
What happens to the littluns, especially at night, in chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies?
In chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies, the littluns suffer from nightmares, fearing imagined terrors like a beast on the island. This affects their sleep, and even the older boys, Ralph, Simon, and Jack, are aware of these fears. Ralph believes building shelters might help them feel safer, but the nightmares persist because they subconsciously sense the island is not a safe place.
In Lord of the Flies, what is Jack doing at the start of chapter 3?
At the start of Chapter 3, Jack is intensely focused on tracking wild pigs on the island. He examines the ground closely for signs like cracked twigs and hoof prints, moving on all fours to inspect his surroundings. Despite his efforts, including spotting fresh dung and hearing hoof sounds, his attempt to kill a pig fails when he hurls his spear and misses. This scene highlights Jack's growing obsession with hunting.
What does chapter 3 reveal about Simon and Golding's views on the parliamentary system?
Chapter 3 highlights Simon's helpfulness and loyalty, contrasting with the ineffective meetings of the group, which mirror Golding's critique of the parliamentary system. The discussions often lead nowhere, with decisions not being implemented, reflecting Golding's view of Parliament as ineffective. Simon's unique perspective and ability to see beyond the surface suggest his deeper insight into human nature, but this aspect is separate from the commentary on governance. Overall, the chapter critiques the inefficacy of talk without action.
In Chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies, what does Ralph think might have caused Jack's excitement?
In Chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies, Ralph thinks Jack's excitement might have been caused by spotting a passing ship. Ralph is focused on rescue and maintaining the signal fire, so he immediately associates Jack's shout, "Got it!" with seeing a ship. However, Jack is actually excited about discovering where the pigs might be resting during the day, showing his obsession with hunting.
In chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies, is Jack's description developed through metaphor, simile, personification, metonymy, or hyperbole?
Jack's description in Chapter 3 is primarily developed through metaphor. William Golding compares Jack to a hunting dog, highlighting his obsession with hunting. This metaphor is evident as Jack is described moving "dog-like," with his nose close to the ground, sniffing for pig tracks. While a simile is used briefly to describe his physical stance, the overall description uses metaphor to convey Jack's predatory and primal behavior.
What does Simon's secluded place in the high jungle in chapter 3 indicate about him?
Simon's secluded place in the high jungle reveals his introspective and harmonious nature, contrasting sharply with Jack's aggressive and obsessive traits. While Jack is depicted as compulsive and animalistic, Simon is portrayed as gentle, compassionate, and at one with nature, reflecting his role as a Christ-like figure. Simon's ability to appreciate and coexist peacefully with nature highlights his kindness and thoughtfulness, distinguishing him from the more savage tendencies of other characters.
