5.1.3
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
2Story Analysis
2.2Chapter 2
2.3Chapter 3
2.4Chapter 4
2.6Chapter 6
2.7Chapter 7
2.9Chapter 9
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
3Key Characters
4Key Concepts
5Writing Techniques
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Characters Quotes
6.2Text Structure - Quotes
6.2.1The Sound of the Shell - Quotations6.2.2Fire on the Mountain - Quotations6.2.3Huts on the Beach - Quotations6.2.4Painted Faces & Long Hair - Quotations6.2.5Beast from the Water - Quotations6.2.6Beast From the Air - Quotations6.2.7Shadows & Tall Trees - Quotations6.2.8Gift for the Darkness - Quotations6.2.9Gift for the Darkness - Quotations 26.2.10A View to a Death - Quotations6.2.11The Shell & the Glasses - Quotations6.2.12Castle Rock - Quotations6.2.13Cry of the Hunters - Quotations
Jump to other topics
1Context
2Story Analysis
2.2Chapter 2
2.3Chapter 3
2.4Chapter 4
2.6Chapter 6
2.7Chapter 7
2.9Chapter 9
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
3Key Characters
4Key Concepts
5Writing Techniques
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Characters Quotes
6.2Text Structure - Quotes
6.2.1The Sound of the Shell - Quotations6.2.2Fire on the Mountain - Quotations6.2.3Huts on the Beach - Quotations6.2.4Painted Faces & Long Hair - Quotations6.2.5Beast from the Water - Quotations6.2.6Beast From the Air - Quotations6.2.7Shadows & Tall Trees - Quotations6.2.8Gift for the Darkness - Quotations6.2.9Gift for the Darkness - Quotations 26.2.10A View to a Death - Quotations6.2.11The Shell & the Glasses - Quotations6.2.12Castle Rock - Quotations6.2.13Cry of the Hunters - Quotations
Practice questions on Pathetic Fallacy
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- 1Meaning behind dark clouds covering the island:Fill in the list
- 2
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