Impressions
A couple of years back when I was reading a book, I wasn’t really reading the introductory chapter, as I wanted to be completely surprised by the content of the book. Similarly, I never watch movie trailers. However, at some point I decided that maybe, in some cases it’s better to have more context about the book’s content and author, to be able to appreciate the story more.
Up to this point, this innitiative has proved to be worthwhile. I am at a point in my life where I want to have my own opinions. I want to read something and I want to be able to have my own opinion about, and not regurgitate what others have thought about it.
For example, when I read Wuthering Heights, I kind of lost the magic of the story, becuase I knew that the author was female, but the character in the book was male. This however, in the grand scheme of things, did not play a significant role, as the book was amazing.
Similarly, when reading other books, like The Master and Margarita I felt that the details that had been provided in the introduction could spoil the action; but, what actually ended up happening, was that I appreciated the book more, because I had more context.
In the case of Lord of the Flies, I was scared that when reading the Introductory chapter the content of the book would be spoiled. And, in a way, it was: I was expecting for major a turn of events to happen at some point, which maybe ruined the surprise. I guess, in the English literature, the book has become a classic and most people have heard of its content before reading it. But, in my case, I had known nothing about the book.
Consequently, in this case it would have been better if I hadn’t read the introductory chapter. Nevertheless, even though I kind of knew that things were about to have a major turn, the book really left an impression on me.
Why? Because I remembered the times when I used to be one of those kids. Even though I’ve never been stranded on an island when I was a little boy, I could relate with the group dynamic. In a way, that dynamic was there when I used to be a boy, and it kind of evolves as we get older.
As the things in the book were getting more and more ruthless between the boys, I remembered of how a boy tried to drown one of my nephwes, when they were playing in the pool: something I’ve experienced and witnessed, which kind of instantiated the motifs and truths of the book.
Another thing that really resonated with me in the book is the motif of: being good without the capacity of being bad makes you an incomplete man, and, in some scenarios can have catastrophic consequences.
The book reminded me that if you really have a good agenda, something to improve the world, you have to be consiouss of the bad in the world, to be able to fight it. You have to be able to understand others’ shadow in order for your light to bring light to that.
Moral: keep on striving to be good, and incorporate your capacity for evil. If you don’t, you’ll not be able to do good, and evil will take over you. If you don’t, you’ll stay a boy forever, instead of being a man.
New words
- stooped = (of a person) having the head and shoulders habitually bent forwards. “a thin, stooped figure”
- croon = hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a sentimental manner. “she was crooning to the child”
- frond = the leaf or leaflike part of a palm, fern, or similar plant. “fronds of bracken”
- flutter = (of a bird or other winged creature) fly unsteadily or hover by flapping the wings quickly and lightly. “a couple of butterflies fluttered around the garden”
- fringe = the border or outer edges of an area or group. “the southern fringes of the city”
- preposterous = contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous. “a preposterous suggestion”
- snarl = (of an animal such as a dog) make an aggressive growl with bared teeth. “the dog snarled at the boy”
- moon = behave or move in a listless and aimless manner. “I don’t want her mooning about in the morning”
- antler = each of the branched horns on the head of an adult deer (typically a male one), which are made of bone and are grown and cast annually. “a stag’s antlers”
- stag = a male deer, especially a male red deer after its fifth year. OR a social gathering attended by men only. “a stag event”
- irk = irritate; annoy. “it irks her to think of the runaround she received”
- footling = trivial and irritating. “year after year you come with the same footling complaint”
- snigger = laugh in a half-suppressed, typically scornful way. “the boys at school were sure to snigger at him behind his back”
- pucker = (especially with reference to a person’s face) tightly gather or contract into wrinkles or small folds. “the child’s face puckered, ready to cry”
- tussle = a vigorous struggle or scuffle, typically in order to obtain or achieve something. “there was a tussle for the ball”
- riddance = the action of getting rid of a troublesome or unwanted person or thing. “the new movement emphasized discipline, not riddance or punishment as a method of solving the criminal problem”
- derisive = expressing contempt or ridicule. “he gave a harsh, derisive laugh”
- burrow = (of an animal) make a hole or tunnel, typically for use as a dwelling. “moles burrowing away underground”
- protrude = extend beyond or above a surface. “something like a fin protruded from the water” OR (of an animal) cause (a body part) to protrude. “when attacking, it protrudes its long snout”
- derision = contemptuous ridicule or mockery. “my stories were greeted with derision and disbelief”
- barmy = (informal, British) mad; crazy. “I thought I was going barmy at first” OR extremely foolish. “this is a barmy decision”
- exulting = feeling or showing elation or jubilation. “he gave an exulting cry”
- propitiate = win or regain the favour of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them. “the pagans thought it was important to propitiate the gods with sacrifices”
- scour = clean or brighten the surface of (something) by rubbing it hard, typically with an abrasive or detergent. “she scoured the cooker”
- furtively = in a way that attempts to avoid notice or attention; secretively. “I furtively glanced over at my father to see his reaction”
- loiter = stand or wait around without apparent purpose. “she saw Mary loitering near the cloakrooms”
- cradling = a wooden or iron framework, typically one used as a structural support in a ceiling.
