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Jack was on top of the sow, stabbing downward with his knife. Roger found a lodgment for his point and began to push till he was leaning his whole weight. The spear moved forward inch by inch and the terrified squealing became a high-pitched scream. Then Jack found the throat and the hot blood spouted over his hands. The sow collapsed under them and they were heavy and fulfilled upon her. The butterflies still danced, preoccupied in the center of the clearing.

William Golding#24

ViolenceKillNatureIndifference

About this quote

What does it mean?
Jack and Roger kill a sow by stabbing and pushing a spear while butterflies dance peacefully nearby.
In plain terms
The boys violently kill a sow while nature remains indifferent.
What can you take from it?
Nature does not react to human violence.

Where it applies

  • acts of violence
  • nature observation

Putting it to work

  • note contrast
  • acknowledge brutality

Questions to consider

  • Why does nature remain calm during violence?

Another view

The graphic nature might obscure the thematic point.

More from William Golding

  1. 'You want a pig,' said Roger, 'like in a real hunt.' 'Or someone to pretend,' said Jack. 'You could get someone to dress up as a pig and then he could act - yo…

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  2. He paused and stood up, looking at the shadows under the trees. His voice was lower when he spoke again. 'But we'll leave part of the kill for :' He knelt down…

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.

    Permalink to quote #22

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