Reading Focus: Evil (4-11)

So far in my reading focus tracker, I've done pretty well. I personally think evil is a very hard subject, partially because in the beginning, most characters are innocent. However, it changes throughout the book, as they develop savage-like personalities. If you look through my tracker, you'll see the later quotes are more easily defended, whereas my earlier quotes I have questionable evidence.

"'His specs -- use them as burning glasses!' Piggy was surrounded before he could back away" (40).

I chose this quote for one of my key moments because it marks the first serious act of evil. The entire crowd takes Piggy's glasses by force, rather than asking him. I'm sure Piggy would've understood if they asked, but instead, they do an immoral act that just shows the potential of a mob.

"'Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood'" (69).

The hunter's chant appears on page 69 after killing the first pig. This disturbing chant normally leads to the death or pain of something--It resulted in the death of many pigs and our innocent Simon.

"Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea" (181).

The dispute on the bridge lead to violent actions between Jack and Ralph, as well as the death of Piggy, a main character. The hunters always seem to be involved in the suffering and death included in the book. They very well may be a symbol of evil itself. Roger pulls a lever, releasing a boulder knocking Piggy off the cliff. What bothers me, however, is that it was INTENTIONAL.

I guess you could say these are my current "top 3" evil quotes.

Semester Reading

This semester and summer, I read Nation, a few short stories, NoMansLand, The Housekeeper and the Professor, In Defense of Food, Feed (in order from most challenging to least challenging).

I have come to the conclusion the efficiency of my reading is influenced on the story. Depending on the book,  my reading speed varies. Books I enjoy are normally ones that have unique story lines. For example, Feed is set in a future where a society relies entirely on a computer chip implanted into their brains. I liked this book because it not only is original, it strays from the zombie cliche you would expect to see. My reading skills could be interpreted in this situation as one of my weaknesses - I'm a very picky person. However, I think I've developed strong reading HABITS. I most of the time read in quiet places, devoid of distraction. Rarely I'll have the problem of not being able to read due to interruptions.

Next semester I will try to expand my reading list. In the past, I've always been stuck reading fiction stories. This semester, however, I want to read other genres, mainly nonfiction. The reason I'm looking into nonfiction books is because of our summer reading this year. I know numerous students despised In Defense of Food but I found it both interesting and informational. For this reason, I'm curious to explore what our library has in store for me.

12/04 - 30min., 12/05 - 30min., 12/06 - 30min., 12/07 - 60min., 12/09 - 30min.
Total - 180min., pp. 94-182 (Lord of the Flies)

Focus Tracker (1-5): Evil

Throughout Lord of the Flies, I will be focusing on the recurring theme of evil. Having read Lord of the Flies before, I already know evil is a strong focus to read for. I look forward to the later chapters of this book for more substance, because I've noticed a gradual increase of "evil" ideas or actions from what we've read so far.

At the start, we are introduced to a group of schoolboys stranded on an island after a plane crash. They are mostly innocent people - almost everyone cooperates and is respectful besides the few insults directed toward Piggy. This idea is later reinforced when Jack fails to kill the pig. The pig makes it away because Jack didn't like the "unbearable blood." Jack didn't like the thought of stabbing a living animal.

However, as we progress through the story, we can see the boys become more ruthless. Teasing Piggy changes to hostile actions against him. After Jack manages to kill a pig (developing that sense of evil), he is accused for not lighting the fire when the ship came near. Piggy bluntly points this out as an insult, and as retaliation, Jack punches him in the stomach.

It's interesting to see how the boys are influenced by evil in such situations. Their bullying slowly developed into small, but hostile actions. I look forward to applying my focus in more detail later on in the story. From what I've read, there'll be quite a bit of substance for me to use.

11/12 - 30min., 11/13 - 30min., 11/14 - 30min., 11/15 - 30min., 11/16 - 30min.
Total - 150min., pp. 32 - 94 (Lord of the Flies)

Reading Times

11/27 - 30min., 11/28 - 30min., 11/29 - 60min., 11/30 - 60min.
Total - 180min., wrote 7 pages (Literary Analysis)