Ralph abandons his hiding place and fights his way past Jack and a group of his hunters. Chased by a group of body-painted warrior-boys wielding sharp wooden spears, Ralph plunges frantically through the undergrowth, looking for a place to hide. ... In his portrayal of the small world of the island, Golding paints a broader portrait of the fundamental human struggle between the civilizing instinct-the impulse to obey rules, behave morally, and act lawfully-and the savage instinct-the impulse to seek brute power over others, act selfishly, scorn moral rules, and indulge in violence. ... Althou...

• Word Count: 11237
• Approx Pages: 45
• Grade Level: High School

THEMES Betrayal Patrick Maloney's unexplained decision to leave his pregnant wife. This violation of the marriage-vow is obviously not the only betrayal in the story, however. Mary's killing of her husband is perhaps the ultimate betrayal. Her elaborately planned alibi and convincing lies to the de...

• Word Count: 2792
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

Optimism can lead one to the right place, but won't solve the mystery for them, nor will it make a better person. ... Pynchon describes the power of the promise of hidden truth with his imagery of the small child. ...

• Word Count: 3055
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

Lion (1987) is a novel which takes place in Toronto in the years following the First World War. ... In chapter three, ironically titled, "[T]he Searcher", Patrick is searching for Ambrose Small but that is merely a metaphor for his vocation. ...

• Word Count: 3985
• Approx Pages: 16
• Grade Level: High School