Questions about the lord of the flies?

Question

Golding writes, “The mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness” (64). Explain the significance of this quotation. Does the mask truly “liberate” Jack? If Jack wears the mask because of shame, how does shame relate to violence? Discuss the connection between shame and violence throughout the novel.

im confused..please help!!

Answer 1

The masks behind which the kids hide enable them to create themselves a new identity, to make the transition between innocent children and heartless hunters easier. When Jack first tries to slaughter an animal(a little pig if I remember correctly), he hesitates, thus permitting it to escape. The solution of the mask is effective, because it truly is "a thing on its own", a kind of independent entity, that "liberates" Jack from his former self,education and beliefs. Behind the mask, his innocence disappears, making way for the instinctual cruelty. However, the fact that, by the end of the novel, the boy forgets his original identity being completely immersed in his new position as hunter and leader demonstrates the fact that, far from liberating him, the mask has actually trapped him behind it and reduced him(and also the others) to the level of archaic culture.

Secondly, the character wears the mask to liberate him from shame because he was (perhaps unconciously) aware of the fact that, far from being a simple provider for the tribe, he actually enjoyed violence and the feeling of power it gave him. The instinct of the human who arrives in a new territory and has the urge to destroy, conquer and rule it is stronger than his reason and former principals induced to him by a modern, civilized society.

It is this memory of society and their previous conduct that makes the boys ashamed of their acts of violence which gradually get worse and worse throughout the novel(they go from slaughtering animals to applying brutal punishments among themselves, to unconsciously and then consciously murder two of their own). However, by the end, they are so transfigured by their masks that they completely forget the feelings of shame and their former selves and end up re-creating the worse of the society back home: a civilisation disbanded by the second world war. The point where a childish game degenarates into a real war is,also, the climax of this novel.

Answer 2

Here are a few sites the will help you with Lord of the Flies.  They will help you see the symbolism and themes connceted to masks in the novel.  Because Jack does not fear being shamed he is free to be as violent as he wants to be.  He can give in to his most primal instincts because he has no fear of shame.

http://www.gerenser.com/lotf/

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/t...

http://www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us/lo...

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/flies/