Lord of the Flies

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1. 
   podunc Teacher
   College - Sophomore

   The "Beast from Air" referred to in the title of Chapter 6 is actually a dead parachutist. He was killed in an air battle above the island, and his corpse floats down to rest on a mountainside. The appearance of the corpse is an ironic touch from Golding, who suggests that the increasingly violent world of the boys is not unique, but rather a mirror of what is going on in the adult world, where WWII still rages. The presence of this body is what finally convinces the boys on the islands that their fears are not unfounded--the "beastie" is real.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/flies

   http://www.enotes.com/flies/chapter-6-summary-analysis

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   Posted by podunc on Monday September 22, 2008 at 4:57 PM
   
   

2. 
   ms-mcgregor Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   One night a plane that was fighting a battle over the island explodes and the dead pilot's body parachutes, landing on a mountainside of the island. Because it was nighttime, the boys are unaware of this incident and will later mistake the body of the pilot for the beast. This enhances the theme of the novel that the beast is human and is a part of everyone. Only Simon will actually get near enough to the body to see the truth and the consequences for him are dire.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/flies

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   Posted by ms-mcgregor on Monday September 22, 2008 at 5:03 PM
   
   

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