What was to be done then? to The cries were far now, and faint.Chapter 12 Page 241 - 242 William Golding's choice of language in this extract sets the scene on the island

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What was to be done then? to The cries were far now, and faint.

Chapter 12 Page 241 - 242

William Golding's choice of language in this extract sets the scene on the island. He uses simple words such as 'leaped' and 'dashed' to show the swift movements of Ralph, which also create the dramatic action. They show the distress Ralph is in whilst he is on the run from Jack's savages and his desperation to survive. Simple phrases such as 'shied like a horse' at the sound of 'shrills' also dramatise upon the action. These show how frightened and nervous Ralph has become, as horses usually are frightened and terrified of most things (i.e. too many people)
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The quote Most he was beginning to dread...making a simpleton of him' is also another example of imagery as it describes how his mind may go suddenly blank (idea of the curtain), losing any sense of what was happening around him - 'the curtain that might waver in his brain' The idea of the curtain gives the impression of that he isn't in a good state of mind, as he is on he is on the run for his life, and also been hunted down by Jack's tribe. William Golding also uses a war reference in the book ...

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