Pathetic Fallacy
English Lit: AQA GCSE Lord of the Flies, topic 5.1.3
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.
Test yourself on Pathetic Fallacy
What happens when Jack tells Ralph that the conch has no meaning on his part of the island?