In the seventh chapter of “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding, the story takes a dark turn as tensions rise and the boys’ civilization begins to crumble. This chapter is pivotal in showcasing the psychological and emotional deterioration of the characters, as well as the unraveling of their moral compasses. Through powerful and thought-provoking quotes, Golding skillfully portrays the descent into chaos and the primal instincts that emerge in this gripping narrative.
Read these lotf ch 7 quotes
“He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling.”
“The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering.”
“Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!”
“The mask compelled them. They knew that they would never hit him.”
“His mind was crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink.”
“The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body.”
“Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you?”
“Simon’s head wobbled. His eyes were half closed as though he were imitating the obscene thing on the stick. He knew that one of the boys was killed for being mistaken as the Beast, and he feared for his own life.”
“There was no light left save that of the stars. The long scar smashed into the jungle was a bath of heat.”
“They knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood.”
“He looked in the water and saw his own face. He pushed his hair back out of his eyes. The water perceived the clearness and dissolving warmth of friendship; it saw gratitude and the friendly recognition of an ally. And now, in the middle of this empty horizon, a figure appeared, small at first, but growing fast.”
“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?”
“The Lord of the Flies was expanding like a balloon. The wind blew from the burning sun and from the east and from the south, so that suddenly the empty sky seemed filled with a dark cloud. The water boiled white and pink over the rock; and when it went, sucking back again, the body of Piggy was gone.”
“The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away.”
“He wiped his glasses and adjusted them on his face, then he looked down and did not know what to do or say. Piggy’s arms and legs twitched a bit, like a pig’s after it has been killed. Then the sea breathed again in a long, slow sigh, the water boiled white and pink over the rock; and when it went, sucking back again, the body of Piggy was gone.”
“The beast was harmless and horrible; and the news must reach the others as soon as possible.”
“The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning over as he went.”
“Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of a true, wise friend called Piggy.”
“The half-shut eyes were dim with the infinite cynicism of adult life. They assured Simon that everything was a bad business.”
“I’m warning you. I’m going to get waxy. D’you see? You’re not wanted. Understand? We are going to have fun on this island. Understand? We are going to have fun on this island! So don’t try it on, my poor misguided boy, or else—”
“Which is better—to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is? Which is better—to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?”
These quotes from chapter 7 of “Lord of the Flies” offer a glimpse into the darkness and complexity of human nature when faced with isolation and the absence of societal norms. As the boys’ descent into savagery continues, Golding’s masterful storytelling highlights the fragility of civilization and the inherent darkness that lurks within each of us.
