Analysis #2 - Fear...

A seemingly recurring theme in these past few chapters is fear. Fear has been demonstrated mainly through the "beast" and the many shapes that the boys have warped this monster into. I believe that beast symbolizes the boys adolescence and it demonstrates how they are still kids even though they are making so many grown up decisions and taking such responsibility and leadership like bringing the water "from the stream in those coco-nut shells under fresh leaves” (Golding 85), building the shelters, trying to maintain a fire, and designating bathroom areas. Many of the decisions being made give the boys a facade of maturity and wisdom, but this “beastie” continues to remind the reader that they are all still a bunch of kids. The “beast” has been believed to be a monster, an underwater creature, as well as a ghost. “The assembly looked with him; considered the vast stretched of water, the high sea beyond, unknown indigo of infinite possibility; heard silent the sough and whisper from the reef” (94) demonstrates how even though many of the boys don’t wish to believe what they are hearing about the suggestion that the beast comes from the sea, their creative minds make them believe something they should know is not real. The boys seem as if they want to look tough or brave by saying they “don’t believe in the beast” (95) but it is evident that as the comments of the beast continually arise, many of the boys seem to be getting increasingly worried. The problem seems to come to a climax when the twins, Sam and Eric come across what they are sure is the beast. “Soon the darkness was full of claws, full of awful unknown and menace” (107) illustrates how the boys fear engulfs them when they hear of the beast. They haven’t actually seen it and still their fear gets the best of them. As well, adolescence is reiterated when Sam and Eric are retelling their story of he beast saying “There were eyes-’ Teeth-’ Claws-’ we ran as fast as we could-’ Bashed into things-’ The beast followed us-’ I saw it slinking behind the trees-’ Nearly touched me-’ (109). Right now this beast symbolizes the boys fear and uncertainty. It illustrates the fact that these boys are still young.