Johnson,+Armita

Chapter1-Civilization In the beginning of chapter one the reader can see that the boys lack understanding of where to start first since they have no boundaries given to them. As the chapter continues one can see that the boys are overwhelmed with the amount of freedom provided, but see no rescue in the near future so they must obtain order in order to survive. The desire to create a system is first illustrated with the conch as it is established to be the sense of order and discipline. Even the title of the chapter signifies that the shell calls everyone to order. Next one can see the struggles to create a new civilization as they boys try to figure out who will lead the group “I ought to be chief, said jack with simple arrogance because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp” (Goldberg 22) Jack provides the reader with a perfect picture of how society often fails. Jack thinks very highly of himself and believes that his talents are what should elect him as leader, but that is actually his flaw. Society is fascinated with charisma and I believe that is the biggest issue that holds nations back. In modern time one would think that as humans we have learned to put aside what an individual’s says they will do and what one actually does. We have seen in history that a over charismatic leader is never what helps society. A leader is one who has the people’s best interest at heart. These instincts that humans have sometimes are right and wrong, but one must remember to look at every aspect of the situation so people such as Hitler, Jim Jones, and Stalin do not gain too much control

Chapter 2-GroupThink One can see the theme of groupthink flourish within chapter two as multiple events occur. These instances cause the boys to choose who and what to believe. This can first be seen as Piggy mentions how the group is stranded and it doesn’t look like they will be getting rescued anytime soon. By Piggy bringing this to the groups attention he was able to plant the seed that the boys needed to begin forming their own civilization. This can also be seen once the fear of the beastie is introduced into the novel. “Snakes! Snakes! Look at the snakes!...The boys looked at each other fearfully, unbelieving---where is he now?” (Goldberg 46-47) One can see that the fear of the beastie manifest throughout the whole group as the novel continues because each boy is feeding into each others fears. Groupthink can be seen everywhere through all age groups. In high school groupthink is illustrated in a variety of ways both in and out of school. The way students behave in various classrooms, within the lunch room, and in the hallways are all great examples of how ones peers can steer their decision making and actions unknowingly. The actions of group think are also demonstrated in outside settings such as the way students conduct themselves and school events. Dances, sports games, and house parties all show how humans behave when put in different group settings.

Chapter 3&4- Good vs Evil Chapter three and four are perfect for the theme of good verses evil because this is when we see both the main characters Ralph and Jack personalities flourish and conflict begin. Ralph symbolizes structure, civilization, morality, and leadership while Jack stands for selfishness, amorality, and desire for power. “The were both red in the face and found looking at each other difficult. Ralph rolled on his stomache and began to play with the grass.” (Goldberg 52) The tensions between Ralph and Jack has always been present as one sees their battle to obtain power flourish throughout the first several chapters. At this moment good or Ralph has the advantage because he is the leader of the boys. Just like evil Jack finds various ways to break down Ralph and dilute the boy’s perception so that he can gain control. In terms of determining what is good or evil I believe it’s the individual’s ability to possess empathy. If one is unable to distinguish when another is harmed than they lack a conscience and therefore posses evil traits. I don’t believe distinguishing good from evil is that black and white. As one may be seen as evil in one’s eyes, but helpful in another’s point of view. For example Robin Hood would steal from the rich and give back to the poor. So would he be considered evil? Do the ends always justify the means?

Chapter 5- Beelzebub When the younger children and even some of the older begin to feel like something evil like is around them there imagination begins to flourish. One can see that the boys are so engaged with the thought of the beastie that they themselves have begun to believe in something that doesn’t exist. I think the boys have lied to themselves so much about the beastie that their imaginations have made them think it’s the truth. “Last night I had a dream, a horrid dream, fighting with things. I was outside the shelter by myself; fighting with things, those twisty things in the trees…You were asleep. There wasn’t anyone there. How could anyone be wandering about in the forest at night? Was anyone? Did anyone go out?” (Goldberg 85) I also believe that as humans the boys believe that every action has a consequence because that is how society is structured. So when the marked boy went missing the beastie in a sense was created as a punishment or consequence for what the boys had done, or not done. The materialization of evil can be seen in all aspects of society. The most obvious one to me is religion, because just as there will always be a fascination with good, god(s), and religion there will always be an opposite to all of those themes. The bible and other forms of information provided to the people always give evil a face. In order for there to be good there has to be bad therefore in order for there to be a god there has to be a devil. One can see this as once the snake in the very beginning of the bible was given the title of the devil snakes in away forever represented evil or temptation.

Chapter 6-Nyctophobia Throughout the novel the theme of Nyctophobia is illustrated in many events that occur while the boys are on the island. In chapter six the fear of the dark is presented at its highest point when the two boys meant to control the fire spotted the “beastie”. The fear of the dark can also be seen as the fear of the unknown “Soon the darkness was full of claws, full of the awful unknown and menace. An interminable dawn faded the starts out, and at last light, sad and grey, filtered into the shelter was impossibly dangerous. The maze of the darkness sorted into near and far, and at the high point of the sky cloudlets were warmed with color.” (Goldberg 99) Goldberg illustrates how the fear of the unknown can produce a chaos, imagination, and hysteria. These same traits can be seen throughout history from the Salem witch trials to the McCarthy accusations.

My fear is death its self, not the actual fear of dying or how my final moments will be but that there is no way to avoid it. One can live their life righteous, healthy, and safe but at the end of it all we all have an expiration date. Time stops for no one and even after your gone life still continues so I want to accomplish everything I desire before it’s too late.. So I don’t know if its death I fear or the unknown of what happens after that scares me.

**Journal Evaluation**

Name Mimes__


 * **Criteria** || **Point Values** ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Overall **focus** and flow and use of transitions to make the piece **cohesive** || **5** || 4 || 3 || 2 || 1 ||
 * **Content** & textual evidence reflect the appropriate themes in the journal options || 15-13 || **12** || 11 || 10-9 || 8-0 ||
 * **Analysis** of quotes are accurate and thorough || 15-13 || **12**-10 || 11 || 10-9 || 8-0 ||
 * Personal **connection** responses are articulate and thought-provoking || 10-**8** || 7-6 || 5-4 || 3-2 || 1 ||
 * **Mechanics**, Spelling and Grammar || **5** || 4 || 3 || 2 || 1 ||


 * Total 42__/50__**

__**Feedback**:__ _$ Provides unique and insightful perspective on the reading ___$ Uses effective verbs and word choice to create strong sense of voice__ _ Content is simplified or too general ___ Proofread more closely__ _$ Elaboration needed (in spots)

[No journal submission 4/8/12 Due Date]

Chap7 Dear Jen, Its Kevin again. The past couple days I've set here and thought about the time that has passed since we've arrived on the island, and the events that have occurred. I can tell everyone is exhausted and lost some sense of hope that we'll be rescued, I know I sure am. Ralph who I've told you is pretty smart and always seems to have a plan is starting to become devastated at our slim chances of being rescued. At first I was scared when I saw Ralph getting side tracked because I know once his mind is gone Jack will try and take control. And if that happens I'm sure you won't be seeing me anytime soon Jen. There's also Simon and Piggy. Neither really get to have any say in much just like myself because of all the different personalities, but both are always so optimistic and logical especially when it comes to the group being rescued. With all this being said I am still afraid that we won't make it home. Only because the behavior in all the boys have changed so tremendously over this short period of time. Even Ralph has got caught up in the excitement of playing and has turned savage in my opinion "Ralph, carried away by a sudden thick excitement, grabbed Eric's spear and jabbed at Robert with it. Ralph too was fighting to get near, to get a handful of that brown, vulnerable flesh. The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering" (Goldberg 114). The only reason this bothers me so much is that if we don't have someone strong and rational enough to help get us rescued we'll destroy ourselves before they even get here.

Sincerely, Kevin

Chap8 Dear Jen, I've had it with Jack, but I don't know how to get the others to realize he's nothing but trouble. He moves off impulse and never fully thinks over any of the task at hand. I know this is going to be our downfall, I can feel it. It like he has such a power and control over the other boys that they see no wrong. Just this morning Jack called everyone to discuss this beastie everyone's been terrified of to ensure them that it does so exist. He even sacrificed a pigs head as an offering to the beastie. As if idolizing this imaginary creature will help the littluns calm down. In my opinion Jack is simply doing this for show "This head is for the beast. It's a gift" (Goldberg 137). I really think jack did all of this so he would look like he's in charge.

Sincerely, Kevin

Chap9&10 Dear Jen, These pass couple days have been unbearable. The boys are literally filled with hysteria and are acting like animals. I can't believe I'm even writing you about this, but I didn't ever think I would see someone be killed right in front of me. Remember my good friend Simon I told you about earlier in my previous letters? Well he's gone. It all happen so fast I didn't even know how to stop what was going on. I'm not exactly sure what Simon was trying to tell everyone but its like they all were taken over by something else. Probably that beastie everyone's been screaming about. "Simon was crying out something about a dead man on a hill 'kill the beast! cut his throat! spill his blood! do him in!'" (Goldberg 154). But anyway they just ran at Simon and attacked him like he was some type of monster, like he wasn't one of us or something.

Sincerely, Kevin

Chapter 11 Dear Jen, Things have been getting crazier as the days go on by. Like I told you before they killed Simon and I think since then all the boys have been acting like one nothing even happen and two like it was Simon’s death was his own fault. Just recently Jack has gotten so full of himself that he decided it’s time to get rid of Ralph. Right now it's just me and Ralph and in all honesty I'm not sure we're going to make it off this island Jen. Jack apparently has ordered the boys to force us out the jungle by any means. And we all know the younger boys have turned into savages so I don’t know what to expect next. The one thing that keeps me going is the constant reminder that there are still sane people on the island, such as Ralph and myself. “After all we aren’t savages really and being rescued isn’t a game” (Goldberg 170). The fact that someone else has a clear understanding just like myself that the main focus needs to be rescue and not games.

Sincerely, Kevin

<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16px;">Chapter 12 <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16px;">Dear Jen, <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16px;">It has been sometime since we’ve been rescued from the island and many things have changed. For one when we were first rescued I saw a lot of things and people change depending on who was around and that left me very unsettled. Jack and all the boys went back to their “choir boy” facade once the navel came to save us. Another thing that upset me after the rescue was the lack of punishment that no one received as a result of both Simon and Piggy’s death. I’ve seen some of the boys recently and as much as I say their back to their old selves like nothing happen I’ve also seen growth in some as well. Especially Ralph and I. Jack and Roger on the other hand I feel did not learn anything from this experience as they continue to play the role of “good” in front of the adults in our society. The worst part of all is there’s not much any of us can do to prove what happen on that island. It’s something were all going to have to live with the rest of our lives and it has truly shaped us individually. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16px;">Sincerely, Kevin