When Simon whispers to Piggy “What else is there to do?” What now, are the differences between Piggy+Simon attitude toward their new situation?
When Simon whispers to Piggy “What else is there to do?” What now, are the differences between Piggy’s and Simon’s attitude toward their new situation? Explain yourself in detail.
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About a third of the way through Chapter 8, after Jack and Ralph and Roger have seen what they perceive as the beast with its "ruined face," they return from the mountain and decide that the beast has stolen the fire. Jack tries to assume the power of chief, but no one votes for him, so he runs off. Angered that Ralph just stood during the confrontation, Piggy relents in his urge to rebuke him and Ralph just says that they can do without Jack Merridew. But Simon suggests that there is, indeed, something to do: "I think we ought to climb the mountain." But, when the others "shivered with dread," Simon cuts short his words. Piggy asks,
"What's the good of climbing up to this here beast when Ralph and the other two couldn't do nothing?"
Simon whispered his answer, "What else is there to do?"
Here Piggy displays his fear and lack of understanding what Simon intuitively knows. Simon realizes that going up the mountain near the "beast" is safer than he is when he is with the others. Simon knows that the beast is within the boys and not on top of the mountain even though the prospect of climbing in the dark is a bit daunting. So says enotes:
He is not afraid of the beast, as others are because he understands that it is only when he is away from the others that he is truly away from the beast.
Rather than confront the evil, Piggy is the type who wants to simply avoid it and build a fire on the beach. "We can do without" is Piggy's attitude. But, the intuitive Simon goes up the mountain and hides in the brush until Jack and the others impale the hunted sow's head upon a stake that Simon confronts and recognizes.
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