Question

do now 2/10/26
up to 5 minute
standard:
what is one example from chapters 1–6 that shows how fear affects the characters’ choices?

Explanation:

A key example from Lord of the Flies (Chapters 1-6) is Jack's shift from following rules to prioritizing hunting, driven by fear of the "beast" and fear of losing power/control. The boys' collective fear of the imaginary beast leads them to abandon rational decision-making (like maintaining the signal fire) and embrace violent, tribal behaviors to feel protected. This fear distorts their moral choices and erodes their civilized instincts.

Answer:

In Lord of the Flies, the boys' collective fear of the imaginary "beast" (introduced in Chapter 5) leads them to abandon the critical task of maintaining the signal fire (a link to rescue) and instead focus on hunting and ritualistic displays of power. Jack exploits this fear to gain influence, convincing the group that his aggressive, tribal approach will keep them safe, which causes them to reject Ralph's rational, civilization-focused leadership. This fear drives them to make choices that prioritize short-term sense of safety over long-term rescue and their own civilized values.