The rock motif is quite significant to the novel as a
whole. So your assignment is a good one. You probably have already noticed several
examples of rock rolling or throwing. The first major example occurs in Chapter 1 on
the first expedition that the boys take to check out the island. Jack, Ralph, and Simon
are on this expedition. During this adventure, they come across a big rock and send it
rolling down the mountain. The boys are united here in their joy and sense of
adventure:
Not
for five minutes could they drag themselves away from their
triumph.
Rock rolling will be
repeated two more times in the novel. As it is repeated, the boys' savagery will be
more intense. You will be able to see how this seemingly innocent act becomes much more
sinister as tension among the boys increases and they splinter into two
groups.
The other example of rock
throwing occurs at the beginning of Chapter 4, in which Roger is
throwing rocks at Henry, but "threw it to miss." Golding explains that Henry is
protected by the teachings of "parents and school and policemen and the law." Roger has
been taught that throwing rocks directly at someone is wrong, so he will only throw to
irritate, not to harm. What is particularly chilling about this scene is the fact that
Roger only has to realize that on the island there are no repercussions if he should
throw to hit. As you read, you should pay attention to Roger's devolvement into
savagery as well as his later involvement with rock rolling.
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