Lord of the Flies: 24 Quotes Using Literary Devices and Significance
Quote (including p#) Literary techniques & purpose Significance and how it relates to theme.
“He snatched his knife out of the sheath and slammed it into a tree trunk. Next time there would be no mercy.” Pg 31 Characterization: Jack wanted to show his capabilities in the power struggle. This quote shows how the importance of dictatorial power in a “savage” society. Power is the most important thing when there are no boundaries to society.
“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. (pg 31) Characterization: The others know that Jack couldn’t kill the sow because he has never killed another living creature. This quote shows how the boy(s) still have a trace of civilization in them. Jack could not have killed the sow because he is still a child and he has never killed before.
“On his right were most of the choir; on his left the larger boys who had not known each other before... Before him small children squatted in the grass.” (pg 32) Imagery/Characterization: The boys were separated into categories, such as the hierarchical social order in society. This quote shows how power was still relevant on this island. Civilization is key to the boys and hierarchical social order will always prevail in any circumstance.
“We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything.” (pg 42) Characterization/Symbolism: The British boys are making rules to balance their new “civilization” This quote shows that rules and the way society is ran was important to the boys, this will serve as the main factor of change throughout the novel.
“He tried to convey the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up” pg 51 Personification/Hyperbole/Characterization: Jack could not kill the pig even though he wanted to. He couldn’t manage to kill another living creature. This quote shows that rules and the
“He snatched his knife out of the sheath and slammed it into a tree trunk. Next time there would be no mercy.” Pg 31 Characterization: Jack wanted to show his capabilities in the power struggle. This quote shows how the importance of dictatorial power in a “savage” society. Power is the most important thing when there are no boundaries to society.
“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. (pg 31) Characterization: The others know that Jack couldn’t kill the sow because he has never killed another living creature. This quote shows how the boy(s) still have a trace of civilization in them. Jack could not have killed the sow because he is still a child and he has never killed before.
“On his right were most of the choir; on his left the larger boys who had not known each other before... Before him small children squatted in the grass.” (pg 32) Imagery/Characterization: The boys were separated into categories, such as the hierarchical social order in society. This quote shows how power was still relevant on this island. Civilization is key to the boys and hierarchical social order will always prevail in any circumstance.
“We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything.” (pg 42) Characterization/Symbolism: The British boys are making rules to balance their new “civilization” This quote shows that rules and the way society is ran was important to the boys, this will serve as the main factor of change throughout the novel.
“He tried to convey the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up” pg 51 Personification/Hyperbole/Characterization: Jack could not kill the pig even though he wanted to. He couldn’t manage to kill another living creature. This quote shows that rules and the