9
QuizMultiple Choice

Universal Themes in Lord of the Flies

Question 9 • FL-1001340-English 2

Read the passages from Lord of the Flies by William Golding.Passage 1By the trunk of a vast tree that grew pale flowers on its grey bark he checked, closed his eyes, and once more drew in the warm air; and this time his breath came short, there was even a passing pallor in his face, and then the surge of blood again. He passed like a shadow under the darkness of the tree and crouched, looking down at the trodden ground at his feet.The droppings were warm. They lay piled among turned earth. They were olive green, smooth, and they steamed a little. Jack lifted his head and stared at the inscrutable masses of creeper that lay across the trail. Then he raised his spear and sneaked forward. Beyond the creeper, the trail joined a pig-run that was wide enough and trodden enough to be a path. The ground was hardened by an accustomed tread, and as Jack rose to his full height he heard something moving on it. He swung back his right arm and hurled the spear with all his strength. From the pig-run came the quick, hard patter of hoofs, a castanet sound, seductive, maddening—the promise of meat. He rushed out of the undergrowth and snatched up his spear. The pattering of pig’s trotters died away in the distance.Passage 2Jack drew up his legs, clasped his knees, and frowned in an effort to attain clarity."All the same—in the forest. I mean when you’re hunting, not when you’re getting fruit, of course, but when you’re on your own—”He paused for a moment, not sure if Ralph would take him seriously."Go on.”"If you’re hunting sometimes you catch yourself feeling as if—” He flushed suddenly. "There’s nothing in it of course. Just a feeling. But you can feel as if you’re not hunting, but—being hunted, as if something’s behind you all the time in the jungle.” . . ."The best thing we can do is get ourselves rescued.”Jack had to think for a moment before he could remember what rescue was."Rescue? Yes, of course! All the same, I’d like to catch a pig first—” He snatched up his spear and dashed it into the ground. The opaque, mad look came into his eyes again. Ralph looked at him critically through his tangle of fair hair.

Answer
A
They both show that people and animals are natural enemies.
B
They both suggest that violent instincts are needed for people to survive in nature.
C
They both suggest that nature influences people more than civilization does.
D
They both show that violent instincts can emerge when people are away from the influence of civilization.
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