What is the chant in Lord of the Flies? If you’ve read Lord of the Flies, you might remember the chilling chant the boys shout as they hunt and dance around the pig. This chant becomes an important symbol in the novel, showing how the boys start to lose their sense of civilization and give in to their wild, primal instincts. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the chant is, when it appears in the story, and why it matters so much to the themes of the book.
What is the chant in Lord of the Flies? (Chapter 4)
In Lord of the Flies Chapter 4, the chant is a key symbol of the boys’ descent into savagery. After Jack and his hunters kill a pig, they gather around the carcass and perform a wild dance, chanting, “Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.” The scene is disturbing because the boys, who are still so young, become caught up in violent excitement that seems far beyond their years.
This chant appears several times throughout the novel, each time growing more intense and frenzied. It shows just how much Jack’s leadership has pushed the boys toward brutality and how quickly they abandon the rules of civilization. As Golding writes, “At once the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore.” The chant and dance together reveal how deeply savagery has taken hold of them on the island.
What page is the chant in Lord of the Flies?
The chant “Kill the pig, cut her throat, spill the blood” first appears on page 75 in Chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies. This chant quickly becomes a symbol of the boys’ growing savagery.
What is the famous line from Lord of the Flies?
The famous line from Lord of the Flies is, “The thing is – fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream.” This quote captures how much fear shapes the boys’ actions and reminds us that sometimes our fears are only in our minds.
Does the Lord of the Flies really speak?
No, the Lord of the Flies does not actually speak. The conversation Simon has with the pig’s head is really his own inner thoughts and fears taking shape in his mind. The pig’s head stands for the darkness inside the boys, but it doesn’t actually speak to Simon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the chant “Kill the pig, cut her throat, spill the blood” is a powerful symbol in Lord of the Flies. It shows the boys turning more savage and losing their innocence as they abandon civilization’s rules. The chant’s repeated use throughout the novel reminds us how easily fear and excitement can push people toward violence and chaos.