The subject’s name and the location spotted (page #);
What the subject says, thinks, feels, or does (or has done to it) (a “direct quote”)
What you think your observation reveals about the subject.
You should have AT LEAST one entry for every chapter in which your subject appears.
Page(s)12-21
What subject says, thinks, feels, does, or experiencesThe lagoon and beach is where Ralph and Piggy find the conch,
it also serves as the meeting place when the boys assemble to
the sound of the conch.
What observation reveals about the subjectThe lagoon and its beach appear to already serve as
a central area and will likely be their main area of habitation.
10
The lagoon is the barrier between the island and the Pacific.
This shows how the island is paradise, protected from the
troubles of the outside world. The lagoon ensures the kids'
innocence because it stops the reality of the outside, adult world
(the Pacific ocean) from affecting the world on the island.
Note: *The beach/lagoon do not appear in Chapter 2: Fire on
the Mountain
49-50
Ralph and Simon build huts on the beach.
This shows how the boys are trying to recreate aspects of their
old lives on the island, especially the beach since it is the
area that they regard as being their "home." So it only seems fit
that they try to create structures that resemble homes on it.
58-59
At midday, the boys are troubled by bizarre images appearing
on the beach.
This is one of the first instances that suggests that the island
is not as nice as it seems. The fact that bizarre images appear
foreshadow the appearance of imaginary creatures
on the island. For example, the beast.
59-60
The littluns build sandcastles on the beach.
Again, since the boys consider the beach to be their home,
they try to recreate aspects of their old lives on it. For example,
the sandcastles contain railway lines, tracks, etc.
80
Ralph reminds the kids to defecate near the rocks on the beach.
The beach is considered to be their home, so they do all their
daily activities on the beach, including defecation.
105
Ralph sees the Pacific ocean and realizes how different the
water is from the lagoon.
This strengthens the idea of the lagoon protecting the kids from
the outside world with the water of the lagoon being calm, while
the water of the Pacific is chaotic and unsteady.
110-111
Ralph sees the Pacific ocean, and his hope for being rescued
is greatly reduced.
In the lagoon since the water is friendly and calm, it was possible
for Ralph to dream about rescue. But seeing what lies beyond
the barrier (the Pacific ocean), Ralph loses hope because of
the ocean's hugeness and unfriendliness. On the lagoon, Ralph
feels big and important to the big scheme of things, but when
he sees the Pacific, he realizes how small he is.
119
All the biguns, except Jack, Roger, and Ralph, scared about
going to see the beast on the mountain go back to the beach.
This shows how the beach is a haven for the boys, and how
there they feel protected and are comforted. This is so because
they no realize the danger of the island and want to be as far
away from it as they can.
128-129
The boys are scared to leave the beach, and Piggy suggests
moving the fire to the beach.
Again this shows who the beach is a haven for the boys, and how
with the presence of the beast they want to be as far away from
the island as they can be. And by moving the fire to the beach,
the area has also become a greater haven all together because
the light comforts the kids in the night. Also, it strategically gives
the area power, since fire is a symbol of power.
153-154
When Simon dies, the water of the lagoon mirrors the night
sky, so the water looks like it has stars on it.
Simon, being a symbol of human goodness, had a very cruel/
harsh death, but how his body is carried away is very peaceful.
The calm waters of the lagoon take him, and images of stars
appear on the water, which make it seem that Simon is ascending
into heaven, like Jesus' Ascension. This shows how the natural
world (the lagoon) reacts to real life events.
Note: *The beach/lagoon do not have any significant purpose in
Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses
173-174
Event though there was a great storm the night before, the next
day, the beach is nice and clean, like nothing happened.
Even though a great travesty occurred the night before, the beach
is nice and clean as if nothing happened. This shows how the
natural world is able to start anew, no matter what happened to
it previously. This is contrary to humans, and how the boys
can't start anew, even though some really want to.
200-202
The great fire engulfs the entire island, but it doesn't entirely
destroy the beach, and the boys are found by the officer.
Even though the fire consumes almost all of the island, a good
portion of the beach is not destroyed, and it is there where the
officer finds the kids. This shows that once again how this
portion of the beach (where the platform is and not where the feast
occurs) is a true haven for the boys.
Subject BEACH / LAGOON:
Use this chart to track your subject. Write:
it also serves as the meeting place when the boys assemble to
the sound of the conch.
a central area and will likely be their main area of habitation.
troubles of the outside world. The lagoon ensures the kids'
innocence because it stops the reality of the outside, adult world
(the Pacific ocean) from affecting the world on the island.
the Mountain
old lives on the island, especially the beach since it is the
area that they regard as being their "home." So it only seems fit
that they try to create structures that resemble homes on it.
on the beach.
is not as nice as it seems. The fact that bizarre images appear
foreshadow the appearance of imaginary creatures
on the island. For example, the beast.
they try to recreate aspects of their old lives on it. For example,
the sandcastles contain railway lines, tracks, etc.
daily activities on the beach, including defecation.
water is from the lagoon.
the outside world with the water of the lagoon being calm, while
the water of the Pacific is chaotic and unsteady.
is greatly reduced.
for Ralph to dream about rescue. But seeing what lies beyond
the barrier (the Pacific ocean), Ralph loses hope because of
the ocean's hugeness and unfriendliness. On the lagoon, Ralph
feels big and important to the big scheme of things, but when
he sees the Pacific, he realizes how small he is.
going to see the beast on the mountain go back to the beach.
there they feel protected and are comforted. This is so because
they no realize the danger of the island and want to be as far
away from it as they can.
moving the fire to the beach.
with the presence of the beast they want to be as far away from
the island as they can be. And by moving the fire to the beach,
the area has also become a greater haven all together because
the light comforts the kids in the night. Also, it strategically gives
the area power, since fire is a symbol of power.
sky, so the water looks like it has stars on it.
harsh death, but how his body is carried away is very peaceful.
The calm waters of the lagoon take him, and images of stars
appear on the water, which make it seem that Simon is ascending
into heaven, like Jesus' Ascension. This shows how the natural
world (the lagoon) reacts to real life events.
Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses
day, the beach is nice and clean, like nothing happened.
is nice and clean as if nothing happened. This shows how the
natural world is able to start anew, no matter what happened to
it previously. This is contrary to humans, and how the boys
can't start anew, even though some really want to.
destroy the beach, and the boys are found by the officer.
portion of the beach is not destroyed, and it is there where the
officer finds the kids. This shows that once again how this
portion of the beach (where the platform is and not where the feast
occurs) is a true haven for the boys.