Which two names from R.M. Ballantyne's Coral Island are repeated in William Golding's reworking of the same text as Lord of the Flies?

(a) Ralph
(b) Roger
(c) Jack
(d) Simon

Correct option is B

Explanation:

The correct answer is Ralph and Jack.

R.M. Ballantyne's "Coral Island" (1857) is a novel that also revolves around a group of young boys stranded on a deserted island. In this novel, Ralph and Jack are the protagonists. These names were reworked by William Golding in his novel "Lord of the Flies" (1954), where they play key roles in the novel as well.

In "Lord of the Flies", Ralph is the protagonist who represents order, civilization, and democratic leadership. Jack, on the other hand, represents savagery, chaos, and authoritarian leadership. Both characters are central to the novel’s exploration of society and human nature.

Golding's "Lord of the Flies" is seen as a darker version of Ballantyne's more idealistic "Coral Island," which portrays the boys as civilized and capable of overcoming adversity. In contrast, Golding's novel explores the darker side of human nature, where the boys descend into violence and chaos.

Information Booster:

R.M. Ballantyne's "Coral Island":

The novel features three boys, Ralph, Jack, and Peterkin, who are stranded on a desert island. The narrative celebrates their survival, cooperation, and overcoming of challenges. The characters are portrayed positively, reflecting the Victorian values of courage, self-reliance, and goodness.

William Golding's "Lord of the Flies":

Golding's "Lord of the Flies" serves as a dark critique of the idyllic portrayal of childhood and society. The novel follows a group of boys who become stranded on an island and are forced to govern themselves. The characters of Ralph and Jack are central to the themes of civilization vs. savagery, order vs. chaos, and the inherent evil in human nature.

The names Ralph and Jack in both novels emphasize two contrasting traits: leadership and moral integrity versus brutality and chaos. This repetition of names shows how Golding’s novel reinterprets the ideas from "Coral Island" to explore the darker side of human nature.

Additional Knowledge:

Roger and Simon:

While Roger and Simon are important characters in "Lord of the Flies", they do not appear in "Coral Island". Roger in Golding's novel represents sadism and the descent into evil, while Simon is a Christ-like figure who represents innocence and spirituality.

These characters do not correlate with any characters in "Coral Island".