Q2 Week4 LOTF Reading Response

[Piggy:] "I don't agree with all Jack said, but with some.  'Course there isn't a beast in the forest.  How could there be?  What would a beast eat?"
"Pig."
"We eat pig."
"Piggy!"
"I got the conch!" said Piggy indignantly.  "Ralph--they ought to shut up, oughtn't they?  You shut up, you littluns!  What I mean is that I don't agree about this here fear.  Of course there isn't nothing to be afraid of in the forest.  Why--I been there myself!  You'll be talking about ghosts and such things next.  We know what goes on and if there's something wrong, there's someone to put it right."
He took off his glasses and blinked at them.  The sun had gone as if the light had been turned off. [...]
"Life," said Piggy expansively, "is scientific, that's what it is.  In a year or two when the war's over they'll be traveling to Mars and back.  I know there isn't no beast--not with claws and all that, I mean--but I know there isn't no fear either."
Piggy paused.
"Unless--"
Ralph moved restlessly.
"Unless what?"
"Unless we get frightened of people." (83-84)

This passage is significant in the book because this passage explains how Piggy views the Beast. Throughout the book, we learn that each character has a different view of the Beast. In this passage, we learn that Piggy views the Beast scientifically and sees the Beast as fear itself. Piggy explains that there is no Beast for reasons such as lack of food. Also, Piggy brings up that this is just the first thing that they will fear on this island, the second is ghosts. This passage shows that Piggy has knowledge of the overall plan of the island. Piggy seems to know what they will fear now and next, and even why.

This passage is also significant because Piggy mentions that the Beast could also be each other. Piggy thinks that the boys will eventually start to fear the others on the island, which is major foreshadowing of Simon's death. For example, the boys feared and killed the Beast that was coming out of the forest. This Beast turned out to be harmless Simon. Also, this passage is significant because the way that Piggy shares the information (saying unless and pausing) of fearing each other shows that Piggy has already pondered this idea.