How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Life […] is scientific, that's what it is. In a year or two when the war is over they'll be traveling to Mars and back. I know there isn't no beast—not with claws and all that I mean—but I know there isn't no fear either."
[…]
"Unless we get frightened of people." (5.99, 104)
There's nothing to be afraid of, says Piggy—unless we start to fear other people. Trust rational, scientific Piggy to understand.
Quote #8
“Maybe […] there is a beast
[…]
What I mean is… maybe it's only us.” (5.183-195)
Simon and Piggy come to equal-but-opposite conclusions. Piggy has a kind of rational, external, empirical attitude—we're afraid of each other. Simon has a more spiritual insight: it's not each other we need to be afraid of, but ourselves. Subtle? Sure. But it's an important difference.
Quote #9
"It was furry. There was something moving behind its head—wings. The beast moved too—"
"That was awful. It kind of sat up—"
[…]
"There were eyes—"
"Teeth—"
"Claws—"
"We ran as fast as we could—" (6.67-75)
Samneric do see something; they see the dead parachuter. But their fear makes them see something totally different from what actually exists—like turning a pile of clothes in your closet into a monster.