Pathetic Fallacy

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Pathetic Fallacy

Pathetic fallacy is when emotions are linked to the weather.

The island

The island’s beauty and danger are shown right from the start through detailed description and imagery.
- E.g. ‘The shore was fledged with palm trees.’ (Chapter 1, p. 4)

Simon

After the Lord of the Flies has spoken to him, warning him not to tell the other boys the truth, Simon’s head starts to hurt and dark clouds cover the island.
The dark clouds covering the island could show that darkness and evil have finally taken over and that things are going to get worse.
They could also show that Simon’s hope is fading because he feels like good will not prevail on the island.

The storm

Just before Ralph and Piggy decide to go and join Jack’s feast (where Simon is going to be killed) Ralph notes the coming storm clouds and is worried.
The author uses the incoming clouds to indicate that something horrible is about to happen.
The fact that they are “storm” clouds suggest that danger or violence is coming. This increases tension for the reader.

Thunder

Jack tells Ralph that the conch has no meaning on his part of the island. Thunder booms.
The thunder here acts as a sign that the level of danger has increased.

Rejecting the conch

Jack’s rejection of the conch symbolises his rejection of law, order and civility. He has become a very dangerous boy.
Jack’s rejection of the conch will have very serious, dangerous, life-threatening consequences.

1Context

1.1Context

1.1.1The Title

1.1.2Historical Context

1.1.3End of Topic Test - Context

2Story Analysis

2.1Chapter 1

2.1.1The Sound of the Shell

2.1.2The Sound of the Shell 2

2.2Chapter 2

2.2.1Fire on the Mountain

2.3Chapter 3

2.3.1Huts on the Beach

2.4Chapter 4

2.4.1Painted Faces & Long Hair

2.5Chapter 5

2.5.1Beast from the Water

2.5.2Beast from the Water 2

2.6Chapter 6

2.6.1Beast From the Air

2.7Chapter 7

2.7.1Shadows & Tall Trees

2.8Chapter 8

2.8.1Gift for the Darkness

2.8.2Gift for the Darkness 2

2.8.3Gift for the Darkness 3

2.9Chapter 9

2.9.1A View to a Death

2.10Chapter 10

2.10.1The Shell & the Glasses

2.11Chapter 11

2.11.1Castle Rock

2.12Chapter 12

2.12.1Cry of the Hunters

3Key Characters

3.1Profiles

3.1.1Ralph

3.1.2Piggy

3.1.3Jack

3.1.4Exam-Style Questions - Jack

3.1.5Simon

3.1.6Roger

3.1.7End of Topic Test - Ralph, Piggy & Jack

3.1.8End of Topic Test - Simon & Roger

3.1.9Grade 9 - Key Characters

4Key Concepts

4.1Themes

4.1.1Human Nature

4.1.2Location & Setting

4.1.3Democracy & Dictatorship

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Themes

5Writing Techniques

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Allegory

5.1.2Foreshadowing

5.1.3Pathetic Fallacy

5.1.4Naming

5.1.5End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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