Lord of The Flies ~ Unit Overview~

 In the following passages, you will read my journal entries that I wrote while reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding. It was a school project, and our assignment was to write in the perspective of a specific character after the completion of each chapter. The novel had 12 chapters and our final assignment was to write a chapter 13 in the perspective of the author. This could be a chapter immediately following the time period, or years later. Below, you will read the chapter 13 that I wrote. It is written in the future and titled "A Loss of Confirmation". 

A Loss of Conformation ~Ch. 13~

The boys went on to become men with only the faint memory of their past. To them those days were vague and had trickled away in the world. They each went separate ways and were never destined to cross paths again. It was left to the unseen to predict what would have happened if they found each other again. But hidden away they each wondered about one another. These thoughts were subconscious yet they had a gripping control on them that refused to let go. It was something that changed them, not just a story to tell. The boys’ minds faded back upon their arrival to England after months spent away from home.

Years ago, the newspapers spread through England like a wildfire. Even the world joined in such a fantastic phenomena. They were incredulous and thrust their minds into a story twisted by the public. They would never know that sense of evil intertwined with the true account. No soul would ever know the drive to kill that they once possessed. The loathing that blossomed during the struggle for survival would only stay encrypted in their souls.

The voice of the boys haunted their dreams. Day after day, they had no sense of protection or comfort. It dwindled like the cry of the dying. All their hope had once been demolished. Their place in the world was lost and no longer had a place. Their previous life of acting as a boy, a son, a schoolboy no longer made sense. They began boys that were very diverse but ended malicious savages and this scared them till the very end. There was only one thing that they shared, their lips would never form, “fire.” That memory would come back to them almost as vivid as when it happened. A curtain of flames would fall around them as they watch the young boy disappear to ashes. There was nothing they could do.

Ralph in his feeble state suffered the worst. Moans would arise as the image of death crept upon him. Each crippling thought left him invisible and unwanted. He felt he had done the worst man is capable of and is not worthy to carry on. But he was the only one that people ever spoke of. Perhaps because he was the one devoted to telling the true tale of what happened during the years of World War II on an island that was stilled by the roar of the ocean.

However, after living long years in the shadow of regret, he was silenced. The impact of his own life had become too much to bear. As he lay dying, he was still grasping a part of history that held his heart. Eventually, all the boys were silenced and their story was hushed forever.

A Crude Civilization ~Ralph's Journal~ Ch. 8

Jack’s words antagonized the littluns mind. They were now filled with terror as he convinced them that the beast lurked on the mountaintop. I glanced at him, a boy that could not relate to the well being of anybody else but his own. Why must he tell this? I question myself in a deep state of confusion. There is no true physical evidence. Even with the little we know, we disable ourselves to know any more. Jack singles me out in a cruel attempt to intimidate me. He accuses me of being a coward. The only thing I could possibly be guilty of is being overly cautious. It was only my instincts that compelled me not to take a risk greater than my position. I only wanted a secure state of safety. Yet, I was beginning to turn my head on this idea as I observed the crude change in our civilization. Jack proposes that I should be removed from my leadership role. However, the boys kept hush and couldn’t disclose any feelings. Our hearts, our souls, our minds had hardened to an extent I couldn’t begin to comprehend.

In deep rage, Jack rose to his feet. The blood in my veins had coagulated into a profuse loathing. He declared he is leaving and any boy is welcome to come along. I saw nothing more than a savage, a rebel, and a very lost boy. I slipped into a depression, almost giving up. This was the beginning of the end.

Boys slowly started to disappear only to end up on the other side of the island. The forest swallowed them up and spit them right back up into Jack’s presence. His tribe was rising to a place that could potentially overpower mine. It was his bloodthirsty disposition that frightened me. I could only imagine what they were doing. The most they were capable of was delighting in the blood of a newly slaughtered sow.

Piggy and I lay under the shelter. The dying palms frowned and caressed my smudged skin. A rattle emerged from the forest. A heavy incantation drowned us in our own notions. The roof above us shook in a way that we could only attribute to the evilness of a boy. Jack’s tribe was descending upon us. I closed by eyes and rolled in the sheets of the sand. I was just an animal being preyed, I was aware of no more. Somewhere on they island there was some form of peace. I wasn’t sure how to achieve it but I knew it was reality. I peered into the forest yearning for an answer. I was also aware that there was a sense of evil.

Inferior souls ~Jack's Journal~ Ch.6-7

A strange aura filtered through the limbs of the trees. It was humbling yet eerie. Our deepest fears were now confirmed and we marched though the forest in search of the supernatural being. I stepped alongside Ralph; it appeared our differences were now evening as we had neglected the hate. They boys were rowdy and we hushed them together. I felt myself elevating towards a higher reign and the inferior ones disappearing as I went. The time in the virgin dirt was rather unproductive. We found nothing. One thing was certain; our hearts still clung to the vivid vision of the Beastie. I believe this is perhaps because we had nothing else to believe in. As we left, I lead. I lead them all down the windy road. My head was held high as I glimpsed upon the future. 

Ralph questioned himself. I could see it in the shadow of his eyes. I knew from the beginning he was not fit as the leader. He knew now to as he contracted himself from all dialogue. He just lost himself in the sea of vast proportion. He is evolving into everybody else. No more than a hunter that rejoices in blood. I was the one with braveness painted on my heart. Then, I saw it. Its bleeding eyes pierced me like a spear. It was a devilish shadow that cackled in he wind. I was deeply afraid, and I ran into the mouth of the night.

Untouched Serenity ~Simon's Journal~ Ch.5

I sit in solitude at the corner of the platform. I watch the littluns’ scramble towards the grass. They appear to be running from something that I cannot see. Perhaps they are running from the haunting of their once angelic lives. I am overwhelmed by the muttering of the boys and curl myself into a ball of perpetual protection. Ralph appears out of the darkness with a stern face. His voice echoes through the midnight breeze. He tells of our mistakes and the way we mistreat the little that we have. My mind wanders easily, carried away towards the calm waters. A ripple glides across the waters edge and the moonlight shimmers as if it were about to drip on me straight from the horizon. I wondered about my secret place. I thought about every flower resting there at this very moment. I remembered the way the vines would tangle with my limbs as if trying to greet me, hug me. It was the only bit of serenity left on the island that hadn’t been destroyed by these boys.

Suddenly, the wails of a young boy filter through the spaces in the canopy. Every limb of his body contracted to a strange form. He was homesick. The word beastie slipped out of his chapped lips and whispers traveled like bullets. The boy claims he saw it, lurking at night. Perhaps it lived in the ocean.

Then I spoke. I did not say there wasn’t a beastie, as Ralph had expected. My lips would not tell lies. Honestly, I felt the spirit of a strange creature was more than possible. At the climax of the conversation, they were speaking of motion in the vines the night before. I don’t believe this is what we should be discussing at black hours with the littluns’. To save the tears, I stand before everybody and admit to wandering the forest that night. They asked where I went. I did not say much, only that it was a place I have been before.

Ralph pulled me aside. Perhaps he wishes to discipline me about my wrongdoing. He says I should never step foot in the forest after sunset because it will frighten the younger children. But what does he know about that? Is that what we will preach after killing one in his own fire? But, I do not speak. Thoughts and emotions are simply personal. I will continue venturing to my place because it’s the only place I find a peaceful state of mind. He has no idea what I’m going through. I’m here to help but my emotions are stirring inside.

Dance of the Pig ~Piggy's Journal~ Ch. 3-4

The sound of the littluns’ laughter echoed through the forest. I chose a more solitary activity as I lay on the platform. The ocean was vast, almost as if in a perpetual competition with the enormity of the sky. All I knew it that they were equally imposing as I rest as a speck in the sand. I tried to go on unnoticed and my only visual source was through my peripheral vision.

I secretly glanced over to Ralph and Simon. They were attempting to build shelter with their raw hands. They struggled but I kept hush knowing I was of no help. As I entertained many thoughts, I realized I am the precocious one. Perhaps I am the only one not persuaded by my own ego. However, no one else cared. Nobody dared realize that any of my opinions may have significance. They just see me as a whiny fat boy complaining of asthma. I do say that I indeed try to stand up for myself and speak my mind. But I must admit, it is entirely worthless. So, now I choose to observe and keep hush. I will avoid at all costs not to be singled out.

I was lost in a trance of notions when I heard the elevations of an argument. The silence had been broken. The hateful yells were lost in the wind and changed into bitter murmurs. I could only obtain the basis of their argument. Jack had a bloodthirsty look in his eyes and was gnarling his teeth. He spoke a rambling incantation of hunting and killing pig. Ralph remained unfrightened and with true anger, he delivered his words. He warned of what tasks were most eminent, like assembling some form of shelter. They argued for quite some time and I couldn’t help but wonder what effect I would have had on the situation. I highly doubt we would be in this tangle if they had only heard my words in the first place. Still, I kept hush and only observed the series of trials that were now arising. I will just conceal myself to the surrounding chaos.

Again, commotion rises up once more. Boys are wildly treading through the sand as the familiar voice of Ralph booms. I am now standing in his presence, but I am invisible. He cries out, “Ship!” as his head whips toward the flowery mountain. There is no smoke. He purses his lips, bewildered by it all, he decides to stampede up the mountain as fast as his legs will carry him. Simon flows in hesitant steps and I feel obligated to follow. However, this asthma got the best of me and I was now dragging my feet well behind the others. When I finally appeared on the mountaintop, a cool sense of discomfort was present.

Jack and Ralph’s personal dispositions were quite contrary. Jack spoke of spearing a pig and seemed very proud. Ralph peers down searching for the right words to say in his furious state of mind. He yells with all emotion in him, “You! You let the fire out!” Now, the truth is released. Ralph frantically speaks of the ship and the lost chance of being rescued. Jack’s mind is consumed with thoughts of the kill. This would surely go nowhere. An unwanted feeling of righteousness fell upon me. I tried to fight it, but the words poured out,“ This was all you and your stupid hunters! We traded being rescued for the carcass of a pig! All because of your obsession with hunting!” All eyes were on me so I couldn’t back down. Jack threw a punch. The stinging contact shook my body and my specs fell to the ground. I heard boys mocking in laughter saying, “Shut up Fatty!” Simon’s hand reaches to grab my specs and then he tells me that one lens has cracked. He quivers as he places them in my hand. I do not back down and continue spilling my words of hate. He ignores me and glances back to Jack. He says, “Truly Ralph, I apologize about the fire.” He says nothing more.

The pig roasts over the haunting fire. I am left hungry and empty handed. I debate whether to speak up and realize that the worst has already happened. So, I say, “Aren’t I to have any?” Jack says I contributed nothing to the hunt. My mind races through all the things that I could have said but my lips only say, “ Neither did Ralph.” Jack rises in anger and Simon quietly tosses meat to me. Before any more of this continues, Ralph stands on a log and demands a meeting now. Our community is evaporating into nothing, as are we.

Infernal Flames ~Ralph's Journal~ Ch. 2

The sun is still sitting high in the cerulean sky. Exaggerated faces stare at me for answers. I am without words, and honestly, I know just as much as they do. Then, it dawns on me, an idea that it is not one bit incredulous for the mind. The conch, that has brought us here together, has had more answers than one might assume. The boy who’s hands in which the shell lays has the right to speak and be listened to. When in possession, the boys will hush and let the words of a fellow boy echo through their minds. But, I knew that sometimes this might not work. I know that the fat one, Piggy, would take this advantage to its fullest. He would try and speak his nonsense thoughts. He often spoke to me and wrongly assumed I cared. Really, it seems to me that any knowledge he had was based on a farce.

I stood proud in front of the juveniles I lead and confessed that I needed solitary time to construct some sort of a conspiracy, something logical. Hence, I treaded along the shoreline away from the cluster of sweaty bodies. In front of me was a curved palm tree; its leaves were as drapes embracing the sand. My martyred backside scraped against it as I sat in a modest ball hiding from my troubles. I was overwhelmed, it seemed like infernal flames were devouring every last bit of hope. Then, I realized something that could make all the difference, a fire. It would symbolize our existence and signify our need for help.

I contributed the idea to the group and none seemed surprised as if they had already discovered it. They all debated how to initialize such a thing, but already knew. On the island’s central mountain, we would set the blaze. Before I knew it, the boys had collected the wood and bashful sparks were spreading into vigorous flames. I was a bit bewildered and could hardly manage the situation. I suppose the long day had worn me down to less than consciousness. A spectrum of orange and yellow began, capering from limb to limb of each tree. It induced me into an indifferent mood and the flames surrounded the island.

Piggy yelled with fury. He spoke of the little boy who had with such ebullience said he had seen a beastie. He had been playing close to where the fire first began and no one has seen him since. Inside I felt the overpowering notion that he was gobbled up by the flames alive. I knew it must be true. A cloak of shame fell upon me and I couldn’t show my face. Tears welled in my eyes as I was forced to face the unruly truth. I was the one to blame for the young boys passing. Fingers would now be pointed at me. I felt misplaced as the leader, unable to stand the tribulations to come. Perhaps I was just a bit too officious to be leader in the first place. The sun had now vanished into the thick night haze. We had lost one of our people and now had no shelter to turn to.

The True Leader ~Jack's Journal~ Ch.1

Me? A boy? No, of course not, I am surely a man. I lead my choir, concealed with black cloaks. We strutted in unison as we tried to interpret our surroundings. The raging sun was beating down on our backs and the sound of panting created a strange savage-like rhythm. We were in a dream-like state after the plane crash and I was oblivious to what lurked in the jungle beyond. Or at least what I thought was a jungle. There was innocent silence all around us. We were no more than an unknown entity wandering through an uninhabited place. Perhaps we were on an island. Then, breaking the silence, there came a loud upturn from the shore. You could hear faint frolicking as the island sounds were interrupted. I struggled with my own confusion. I stopped to ponder through my thoughts but my imposing fear seized all my senses. Perhaps, there was someone else on the island. Maybe someone we wanted to meet or maybe someone to avoid? Was it possibly something we did not want to cross paths with at all? At any cost, I decided to take a risk. The choir and I ventured toward the unfamiliar sound.

As we approached, I saw the vague silhouettes of boys. Some were tall and others short. They ranged from small boys to those of adolescents. There appeared a boy clenching a cream colored shell with traces of blush pink. It was considerably large in size and seemed of some importance. The boy was fairly attractive; he hosted red hair with a tall and powerful figure. When we reached the crowd there was a feeling of mixed emotion. They glared at us; unsure of how they should greet us. I was convinced that they were imposed by our presence and wanted to submit to us like little puppies. A sense of courage rushed through my veins. I was superior.

They all attempted to discuss matters in an orderly fashion, but in my opinion it was a bit of a ruckus. A fat boy tried to keep things calm but he failed and I ignored him. I called for the attention of my choir and separated us from those of lower importance. It became vivid to me that we were a bunch of children in a place without proper authority. Perhaps, I was called to be that authority. When the thought of a leader was spit into the conversation, the red headed boy insisted a vote.

I was confident they wanted me to reign but was shocked when not one hand lifted in my honor. Then everyone cheered for “Ralph”, which I now assume is the tall boy’s name. I admit that I panicked, but I wasn’t about to let it show. I imagined the situation a bit differently. Then, after scattering my thoughts among the sand, I came to the conclusion that this is only the beginning. I will surely become leader. I must prove my self. After all, who is Ralph to me anyway?