Relationships: LOTF Chp. 4

In this chapter Jack and Ralph's relationship begins to break. 

Jack took all of the boys that were in charge of the fire, and had them help him catch and kill a pig. While they were gone, a ship passed in the distance and no fire was alight to signal it. Jack was only focused on his obsession with killing, and ruined the boys chances of ever going home in Ralph’s eyes. Their friendship seems to be waning and maybe even ending as Ralph explains how disappointed he is in Jack. Ralph uses repetition of the words, “That was a dirty trick”, and seems to drive Jack towards apologizing. When he does all of the boys are surprised by him and immediately think of him as a better person, and Ralph as less when he refuses to return the favor. Ralph really doesn’t have anything to apologize for besides getting angry, so he sees no point in doing anything but restarting the fire and giving them the silent treatment.

Moving on to a different relationship...

Piggy is a bit of a humiliation compared to everyone else on the island and each boy treats him a bit differently.  This passage where Jack prevents Piggy from eating while Simon allows, and Ralph sits idly by, explains these relationships perfectly.

Jack has lots of anger inside of him and since Piggy is such an aggravation to him, he takes all of his anger out on the boy, thus not giving him any food while sharing with everyone else.

Ralph seems to always be embarrassed by Piggy. He cares for him as Piggy gives him ideas and is smart, but he is not brave enough to stick up for him in front of anyone else.

Simon is very caring and kind to Piggy. He might be a bit shy and therefore ashamed of what he does, but has enough courage and care to offer Piggy his own food in the presence of all the other boys.  

Relationships: LOTF Chp. 3

       Jack has become a bit obsessed with hunting and wants nothing more than to kill a pig. Ralph on the other hand just wants to be rescued and wants to do everything in his power to survive on the island. He feels like no one is helping him. When Jack comes back and brags about how much fun he is having hunting and having an adventure, Ralph seems to be jealous and angry with Jack. Ralph does not enjoy making shelters and being the leader but knows he’s the only one who can run the island properly. Jack and Ralph’s friendship may be at stake because of this. 
        Simon on the other hand, is very hard-working and helpful to Ralph. Ralph doesn't really acknowledge him for any of his work though, and seems to think Simon is weird and another embarrassment to hang out with. He gives him no credit for building shelters while complaining to Jack, and really just doesn't show any appreciation for Simon at all. 

Relationships: LOTF Chp. 2

          Ralph and Jack seem to be creating a bond over very simple things. These two boys both have leadership traits, with Ralph having just become chief and Jack having been the head of the Choir. During this chapter as they gather wood for a fire they find themselves helping one another, sharing the “burden”, which could also stand for all the children that they will now have to watch over on this island.       
        The word “together” is used quite often in this passage and is describes just how close the two boys feel, sharing in he adventures of this island. I think that these two boys will want to become good friends, but if one becomes jealous of the other things could end badly. Also in this chapter we notice that both Jack and Piggy appreciate Ralph becoming leader as they clap for him. This shows that both admire him and want to support him and maybe even help him run the island. 

Relationships: LOTF Chp. 1

   Many relationships are created in the introduction to Lord of the Flies. Some seem based upon admiration, some around intimidation, and others just based upon commonalities between characters. 
        Ralph and Piggy were the first to meet one another on the island, and Piggy trusts Ralph with his awful nickname, Piggy. This shows that Piggy immediately puts trusts in Ralph and admires him for his bravery and leadership. However, Piggy seems to underestimate himself and he asks Ralph one thing, not to tell the other boys his nickname. When Ralph is chosen as leader he doesn’t want to be associated with Piggy as he is a sort of laughing stock to the other boys, so he brushes Piggy off when the boy explains his betrayal. Ralph wants to become friends with Jack instead. 
      Jack seems very confident and strong to Ralph and is quickly admired by the fair-haired boy. Ralph wants to follow Jack and wants Jack to see how "cool and confident" Ralph can be. Ralph wants to impress Jack, and therefore hurts the feelings of Piggy and maybe even some of the other boys on the island. These relationships might create some harsh feelings and even danger in the future. 

Relationships in 11

Well Piggy's dead... just thought I'd share with everyone. And although that probably relates most to whoever had Piggy as their focus, it does affect the relationships in the story as well. Piggy and Ralph were an interesting pair. They were the first to meet on the island and although Ralph was always too embarrassed to show it, he cared for Piggy. It's not until this chapter 11 that we see Ralph finally show his care and kindness to Piggy as he tries to protect him from Jack and seek revenge upon stealing his vision. The only time Ralph slipped up was when that boulder came tumbling down the cliff, he left Piggy alone and unaware of what was happening, and that was the end. 

Another major relationship that was obviously affected in this chapter was the frenemy war between Jack and Ralph. They've gone their separate ways. It's made very clear that Jack's side has become wild savages with their camouflage painted faces, thievery, and vicious killings of pigs. Ralph's side is the civilize side, with only the twins, Piggy, and some littluns who don't any better, just trying to be like the adults who would be "oh so civilized" in these situations. (IRONY) When these two finally collide in an actual fight, Ralph accuses Jack of many rather true things, and Jack fights back. And this time fighting means with actual fists, not just mean words about how badly Ralph sings. Their friendship did not last and was never really meant to be. 

Finally, a rather odd relationship i noticed was between Sam and Eric and Ralph. All through the book the twins have stuck with Ralph. Although all along the way (and this chapter adds many more examples to the list) they've struggled with holding on the the more civilized and structured side of things. Jack seems so have more fun and more adventure, he seems to have better ideas for protection and a sense of wild. Sam and Eric almost fall into these traps. But at the very end of the chapter, when Piggy is lost and Ralph ran away, Jack offers (forces)  the boys a place on his side, and they refuse. This shows just how strongly they're trust in Ralph was, and the bravery these boys had until the end. 

Lots of relationships... Wow. Sorry it's a bit too long!

Semester 1 Reading

Ok so based on all the work, swimming, and overall laziness i've had since the beginning of high school, here are the books i've managed to read.

• Palace of Desire
• Uglies
• Heaven is For Real
• A Wrinkle In Time
• Pretties
• Specials

I've noticed that my reading has slimmed down to very small books and although they were extremely intriguing to me, I know that I have the ability to read at a higher level. I also know that if it wasn't for the all the stress and the new workload that came into my life this year, I would have read many more books. Reading is still favorite pastime of mine, and whenever I find an interesting book I will still strive to read it.

I hope as second semester sneaks up on me, that the quantity of books i read will increase. However, keeping that in mind I realize that we will be reading two books in English class in the new year, and a good amount of outside reading will be a challenge. But, with the swim season over and more time on my hands to hopefully finish homework, I should be able to reach my goals with reading.

Specifically, I hope to read 10 books, or 8 books of higher reading level/amount.