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Post by Ms. Kalmar on Jan 14, 2013 18:47:44 GMT -5
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Post by Mr. Grondin on Jul 3, 2013 11:14:14 GMT -5
Greetings Book Club!
I just finished reading Chapter 1 (sorry for the last minute start!), and what a great opening chapter! Golding does a tremendous job of grabbing your attention immediately. It's not the best first sentence of a book, but as the chapter moves along it gets more and more exciting. You start out slowly piecing together what has happened and what is going to happen throughout the book. The way Golding described the island left me with a vivid mental image of where these boys have been stranded. He cleverly gives away the time period with the quick mention of the atomic bomb and does a great job introducing the main characters. I especially enjoyed the humor of the effects the berries had on the boys' digestive systems! I was particularly struck by the connection of Jack almost killing a pig and one of the boys names' being Piggy - possible foreshadowing? I think so.
I'll leave you with this: did anyone find it strange that the person that was most concerned with learning everyone else's names never tells us his real name?
Happy (Almost) 4th of July! and Happy Reading!
Mr. Grondin
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Post by Annah Durbin on Jul 3, 2013 16:33:02 GMT -5
The book is great so far! I like how in the beginning we were given clues to find out what happened and why they ended up on the island. When the clique of boys came out to meet Ralph, I'll admit I was a little intimidated by those guys!Then Ralph organizes what to do and what certain people should do. As we go deeper into the chapter we see Jack having trouble getting a pig. It also turns out that they have been there for a long period of time because of the way they all have adapted to the island. Then Ralph sets up a bond fire to make smoke signals when there are ships. A little while later, Ralph sees a ship on the horizon and is waiting for the smoke signal to flare up, but it doesn't. So he, Piggy, and Maurice run up to start the fire for the smoke. As soon as they got up there the ship was gone. Jack and the twins show up with a gutted pig on their shoulders and Ralph and Piggy get upset with them because they were supposed to be on smoke duty. Piggy starts yelling at Jack and then they both get into a fight which ends up with Piggy's specs being broken. At that point I thought Piggy was going to die from Jack! Then everyone ends up eating and talking. Then at the end of the chapter, Ralph calls an emergency meeting.
I love this book so far! I hope it gets better! :)
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Post by Nick Tyler on Jul 3, 2013 23:50:48 GMT -5
The opening to this book put me in the moment right away. When books start like this I am confused and exhilarated at the same time. I like learning the facts as the characters do. I think I am going to enjoy this book. I am looking forward to the character's progression of learning of their situation and how they adapt to it. I was pulled into the book right away and my curiosity has kept me interested. I am looking forward to the rest of the book!
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Post by juliadciocca on Jul 4, 2013 11:03:34 GMT -5
The beginning of the book was very good, and I liked how the author informed the reader about the time period and boys' lives through very subtle hints like when he talked about the bomb and the evacuation. I agree with Mr. Gorndin that the connection between the name Piggy and Jack's obsession with killing pigs might be foreshadowing as the relationship between the two characters is already violent and uncertain. I also think that the rift between Jack and Ralph as well as the boys' alternating respect and loyalty is foreshadowing. I think as the book progresses we might see a development of two very different societies. I thought it was interesting to see the contrasts between Jack and Ralph and how they handle the situations. So far, I really liked the book and I am excited to see how it plays out.
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Post by Ben Averyt on Jul 4, 2013 12:49:51 GMT -5
So far I have enjoyed the book. I really like the fact that the author does a good job of putting you right there with the characters, I think That is a good trait in a book. You can already tell in the book that Ralph and Jack will be leaders more or less. I am curious to see how that plays out, and how there different opinions will clash while they are trying to be leaders. I think that with that progression there will be a split in the people, and by that i mean, some will agree with ralph and "follow" him, and some will agree with Jack and "follow" him. I have enjoyed this book, and i don't see why i won't later on. i am curious to see how this progresses out.
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Post by Juliana Lassiter on Jul 4, 2013 13:35:34 GMT -5
I also think the book is really good and every page I get even more interested. I'm interested to see if there really is some giant snake creature and if there is, how they wil lfight against it. I feel really bad for Piggy because he didn't want to be called that! That whole thing that Mr. Grondin mentions is very suspicious though...Am I the only one that rereads the sentence when Piggy is talking? The way he talks causes me to do a double take. He needs some English classes! I hope in the end Ralph is right and his dad does find them! I like how Golding, when describing the island, has used the color pink a couple of times. It makes the island sound different and even more mysterious. I'm looking forward to seeing where the name "Lord of the Flies" come in to play. That's always my favorite part of a book - when you discover the meaning of the title!
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Post by Ms. Kalmar on Jul 4, 2013 19:30:08 GMT -5
BOOK CLUB! Greetings! Lovely thoughts so far. So, my history with The Lord of the Flies... first, I have already read it, so I'll be careful not to spoil anything. However, I haven't read it since I was a sophomore in high school like you guys. I didn't read it for school... I vividly remember picking this novel out fairly randomly at a Borders one afternoon, coming home and starting it at the kitchen table, and literally not getting up for four hours until I'd finished the book. I seriously love this book. I was really hyped to reread it for this book club this summer because I didn't remember much about it except the general plot. First, I have to say that I'm amazed at how much more I'm picking up on this time around... I guess because it's my second read, and because I'm older and "wiser," and because I've since turned into an English teacher (whereas when I was 15 I genuinely disliked English class and vowed I would never be a teacher). But my English teacher senses were just going crazy, for the following reasons: (1) MAD AUTHORIAL SKILLS. William Golding is an extremely talented writer, at every level... each sentence is crafted so beautifully, plus he's obviously the sort of author who puts a lot of thought into every word or image he chooses. His descriptions are both vivid -- -- and very suggestive: Finally, I find his characters very well developed. They each have their own quirks and personalities, and it's easy to feel connected to them. But at the same time... you get a sense that they also stand in for more universal character types. Everyone has met a "Piggy" or a "Jack" at some time... so of course we're nervous, as some of you pointed out, about how the relationship between them is going to progress. (2) ALLEGORY. An allegory is similar to symbolism, except that it's usually a bit more elaborate... for example, many of Jesus' parables are allegorical.. the whole story represents something else. In the parable of the prodigal son, we could say that the father represents God, the prodigal son represents sinners, the other son represents the righteous (perhaps the angels who never fell?), the fattened calf and the fine robe represent the joys of heaven, etc. These are all symbols, but it's an allegory because it's complex. Although this novel is certainly not ONLY intended to be allegorical, there's definitely some of that going on. For me, Piggy SEEMS like the easy one to place... he's an ideal democratic society... peaceful, rational, orderly, intelligent, organized, cautious. Then there's Ralph, who likes rules and does his duty and wants to be a good leader but has a darker or less mature or more impulsive side, and then ol' Jack Merridew... There's the island itself, a place of beauty but also of danger... there are the grown ups, who are out of the picture... do we think of them as God? As government? Setting up rules and establishing order? And of course the "beastie" in the jungle... Do you guys have any thoughts about all this yet? It's something I'm going to be thinking a lot about as we continue to read. (3) LOTF: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION. Finally, I've been doing a lot of thinking this time through about ways that LOTF could be read in light of other societies... like high school. In a lot of ways, somewhat unfortunately, I think that high school can be a bit like this deserted island for teenagers. Although there ARE adults and plenty of rules, of course, you guys are also old enough finally to be really independent and set up your own cliques and social classes and unwritten rules... which has me wondering who in the high school world is Piggy? Ralph? Jack? Just kind of an interesting train of thought... I'd love to hear your opinions. Over and out, Book Club! Keep up the good work! Don't forget to post plenteous questions you have and respond to other people! EXTRA EXTRA! CLICK HERE... if you want to see a picture of Ralph & Piggy in the 1963 Peter Brook adapation of Lord of the Flies! --> taayllaaa.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/8573_lord-of-the-flies-02.jpg |
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Post by Ms. Kalmar on Jul 4, 2013 19:34:37 GMT -5
I like how Golding, when describing the island, has used the color pink a couple of times. It makes the island sound different and even more mysterious. I especially noticed all the pink when I was reading, too, Juliana -- especially when he was describing the cliffs. Maybe I'm too English teachery, but I'm always looking for what colors could represent, and I have to say, the pink leaves me stumped. It reminds me of... beauty, little girls, people with chubby faces, salmon... and I don't know where to go with that. When he describes how dark the jungle is, that's easy... but pink!? Maybe a sign that I'm trying too hard.   |
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Post by Ms. Kalmar on Jul 4, 2013 19:37:06 GMT -5
I think as the book progresses we might see a development of two very different societies. Yes, good thought. We're definitely headed for some sort of split... Ralph is the wild card for me. It's hard to know where he'll end up. |
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Post by Ashton Boda on Jul 5, 2013 13:45:36 GMT -5
This book grabbed my attention right away. The author did a good job of describing the scenery. I feel like I am actually in the book at times. It is very interesting to see how a group of boys are learning how to survive on this island and facing the realization that nobody knows where they are. It surprised me that they automatically started coming up with ideas that will help them survive and figure out a way to help them get rescued. In chapter four my interest grew a little more. It seems like some of the boys are starting to act more like savages than like civilized human beings. Jack is m
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Post by Ashton Boda on Jul 5, 2013 13:47:43 GMT -5
Jack is more interested in killing a pig than he is anything else. It gets in the way of the fire that is an attempt to get the boys rescued. That begins to stir up some conflict between the boys. I am excited to see what is in the chapters ahead.
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Post by Hannah Hoefer on Jul 5, 2013 15:14:31 GMT -5
I have to admit that I was not too excited about this book when I started reading it. It seemed a little confusing trying to figure out where they were and how they got there. As the story progressed and the author gave hints to what had landed these boys on this island, I was pulled in. I wanted to know more and more about them and what their future would be. I was surprised at how quickly they adapted to their situation. It didn't seem to matter where they were, each took on a role that showed what their personality was. Some immediately became leaders while others took advantage of their new freedom. The boy's survival skills kicked in as they began to plan to be rescued. The descriptions make me feel like I am really on the island. I love Ms.Kalmar's analogy of this situation to high school. Some are leaders, some are followers. It is scary to put yourself out there when you don't know how things will turn out. Jack so wants to be a hunter but he is also scared to actually kill a pig. Ralph wants to be rescued and tries hard to keep believing it will happen. I feel sorry for Piggy. Just like in school people don't always realize what their words can do. He is an important character, without him they would have no fire. He has the patience to think things through. I think they will come to appreciate him more as the book goes on. I do think the boys will split into different groups. It is natural to take sides, especially in a difficult situation. I look forward to reading on and seeing what is in store for these boys.
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Juliana Lassiter ☻♥
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Post by Juliana Lassiter ☻♥ on Jul 5, 2013 19:34:57 GMT -5
Hannah - if they split into groups I'm definitely on Team Ralph! I feel like he's trying so hard to keep everyone alive while Jack really just wants to keep himself happy. Jack is the kind of person who wants to please everyone - kind of like a teacher's pet maybe? And Jack is there for himself.
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Juliana Lassiter ☻♥
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Post by Juliana Lassiter ☻♥ on Jul 5, 2013 19:35:18 GMT -5
Hannah - if they split into groups I'm definitely on Team Ralph! I feel like he's trying so hard to keep everyone alive while Jack really just wants to keep himself happy. Jack is the kind of person who wants to please everyone - kind of like a teacher's pet maybe? And Jack is there for himself.
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