The term describes a style of musical performance characterized by alternating or responsive singing or chanting between two groups. In a literary context, it can refer to dialogue or interaction that mimics this back-and-forth structure. In William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, this term can be applied to understand certain conversational or behavioral dynamics, particularly those that reveal underlying tensions or power structures within the group of boys stranded on the island. For example, the chanting of the hunters, or the call-and-response between Ralph and the other boys, can be seen as exhibiting features of this communicative pattern.
The importance of recognizing this pattern lies in its ability to highlight the shifting social dynamics and descent into savagery. The implementation of this type of interaction often signifies a move away from rational discourse and toward more primal, ritualistic behavior. This shift underscores themes of order versus chaos, civilization versus savagery, and the inherent human capacity for both good and evil, central to Golding’s narrative. Historically, these musical or interactive patterns have been used to create a sense of community or belonging. Its perversion into chaotic responses underlines the narrative’s critique of societal breakdown.
