Symbolic Objects - Reading Focus Tracker

I'm very proud to say that I have been keeping up with my Reading Focus Tracker. Hopefully, I've included every symbolic object that I've come across so far. However, the significance of certain symbolic objects have changed throughout the first through eleven chapters. 


The first major symbolic object is the conch shell, of course. In the beginning, the conch held a great deal of power. “I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking.” (32).  The conch shell holds the unity and order of the civilization on the island as well as Ralph's authority over everyone. But the importance of the conch shell is broken in chapter 11 when it is shattered: “The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist." (181). 


Throughout the whole book, the significance of fire is deeply emphasized by Ralph because he is the only person who truly understands how vital in maintaining the fire is. It represents their hope of getting off the island and being rescued. When the fire burns down, it shows that their hope is also gone. But when the fire is burning, their hope is alive and they also will survive. “The fire is the most important thing on the island. How can we ever be rescued except by luck, if we don’t keep a fire going? Don’t you understand? Can’t you see we ought to die before we let the fire out?” (80).


The third major object is the Beast. The Beast has also been progressively developed throughout the book. The Beast continuously causes fear among the boys. “He says the beast comes out of the sea.” (88). The children are all scared of the Beast that they’ve been seeing in their nightmares. The Beast symbolizes the evil creature inside each individual. It interferes with everything that they do. Although the others visualize the Beast as an actual beast, Simon senses that the Beast may be inside of them: “However, Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.” (103). We learn that Simon is accurate when we come across the Lord of the Flies who informs Simon of the truth. 

Book Log and Reading Details

The books I've read so far this semester: (from hardest to easiest)

1. In Defense of Food: an Eater's Manifesto

2. Nation

3. Crank, Ellen Hopkins

4. The Outsiders

5. Lord of the Flies

6. The Coldest Winter Ever, Sister Souljah

7. Purge Rehab Diaries, Nicole Johns

8. This is Our Faith, Michael Francis Pennock

Due to my hectic school schedule, I haven't been able to read as many books as I had aspired to. Even though every book I read was interesting, I wish I had more time to read on my own without feeling restricted because of my time limit. To be honest, I haven't learned anything about myself as a reader this semester. I do notice, though, that if I'm really fond of a book, I don't ever want to stop reading. However, my weaknesses include forgetting some characters that were introduced in the beginning, unexpectedly leave, and show up again. I don't really have a sharp memory, so that's one of my weak points. 

My main goal for the next semester is to read as much as I can, but also keep track of what types of books I read. I'll try to expand the types of books I read. I don't like reading nonfiction books at all, but I will try to find a nonfiction book that I will enjoy (even though that will be hard.) Also, I want to find some books that deal with other cultures and nationalities. I think other cultures are fascinating, but I can't find foreign books that seem interesting or makes sense to me.

Reading details: 

William Golding, Lord of the Flies

12/3: 120 min. (Chp. 6-7)

12/4: 60 min. (Chp. 8)

12/5: 120 min. (Chp. 9-10)

12/6: 60 min. (Chp. 11)

Reading Details

Kay West, 50 Things Every Young Lady Should Know
12/1: 60 min.
Pages: 1-101

William Golding, Lord of the Flies
12/3: 120 min.
Pages: 95-124 

Total time: 180 min.