Many of my questions about the life of Miss Brill and the true meaning behind the short story were answered after the class discussion. It was hard picking apart every piece of the story on my own, as there was just so many different components to think about. In some ways, I could connect to Miss Brill. When I access the online world, I feel like I am part of an international community that accepts you for who you are, no matter your race, religion, appearance, and socioeconomic status. However, the reality is that I am sitting alone in my dark room, tapping away on a piece of metal. They do not know who I am in person. I was reminded of how our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us can be false. But then this raises the question – what is the truth then? Is how society measures my value as a human being correct, and everything I thought I knew about myself, wrong? Or perhaps – do our combined perceptions work together to create my identity?

Here are five quotes  that show  a loss of morality within the characters from Lord of the Flies:

“‘Here – let me go!’ His voice rose to a shriek of terror as Jack snatched the glasses off his face” (Golding 55).

“Roger stooped, picked up a stone, aimed, and threw it at Henry – threw it to miss” (Golding 86).

“‘Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood'” (Golding 96).

“All at once, Robert was screaming and struggling with the strength of frenzy. Jack had him by the  hair and was brandishing his knife” (Golding  164).

“‘We’ll raid them and take fire. There must be four of you; Henry and you, Robert and Maurice. We’ll put on paint and sneak up; Roger can snatch a branch while I say what I want'” (Golding 195-196).

The world turned pitch black, as the sound of a gunshot bounced off the hard, concrete wall. An ice-cold sensation pierced Walter’s shoulder, and –

“Walter!” Walter opened his eyes to see his wife standing right in front of him, her cold nails digging into his shoulder.

“I’m finished. What are you doing? It is lunch time and I am starving. Let’s go.” He obliged, feeling famished himself. They strolled down through the parking lot, cars glistening with raindrops. There was no need for an umbrella, since the rain had just stopped. Children were running about, splashing around through puddles. They reached a crosswalk. It was safe to cross, and just as Walter stepped onto the damp concrete, a child leaped into a pothole full of water. Water flew up and soaked Walter’s clothing. As it seeped into his socks and his coat, a burning sensation heated his cheeks and forehead. Suddenly, the ground started to steam and sizzle. A loud explosion exploded his eardrums and the sound of screaming tourists echoed through the air.

“The volcano is erupting!” The tour guide, Mr. Akamu, exclaimed. “Hurry everyone, we must return to the city!” He ushered Walter down the volcano, as ash and dust turned the sky into charcoal. A loud boom sounded once again, and lava dripped down past Walter’s feet, separating him and Mr. Akamu.

“Help!” A dark-haired local Hawaiian woman screamed, stranded on a lone rock that was slowly being eroded with lava. Walter leaped swiftly from rock to rock, dodging the lava which threatened to eat the hem of his pants. With one last, mighty jump, he landed next to the woman. She greeted him with a huge, relieved smile.

“Thank you! Let’s go!” Walter picked up the woman and continued his epic trek down the volcano’s side. But just then, a huge ball of fire flew right past the pair.

“Meteors!” The woman yelled. A huge one hurdled straight for Walter.

“Watch out!” Mr. Akamu’s distant voice warned them. Walter was about to prepare to jump when-

“WALTER!” The sound of multiple honking cars greeted his ears. He opened his eyes to find a large truck skidding to a stop, about to hit him. Walter jumped onto the sidewalk as the truck just missed him. The truck driver shouted at him before heading off, and traffic resumed as normal.

“What are you thinking dear?” His wife scolded him, as they continued on their way to the restaurant. Her hand found a way to his forehead.

“Oh look! You have a fever as well! We should take you home then.” Now tired and extremely famished, Walter followed his wife back to the car, the dull rain starting to fall once again.