Throughout the first three chapters, a strong emphasis is placed on setting by the author. In these descriptions and the way the boys react to the setting, two conflicting moods emerge. A sense of hopelessness and isolation as well as a conflicting mood of happiness and pleasure both emerge.
Once the characters have landed on the island, the setting establishes a fear in them and a hopelessness that they will ever escape. Their entrapment is portrayed through the use of setting. When Piggy says that he “can’t hardly move with all these creeper things” (Golding 1) a fear and entrapment is brought about by the setting. The isolation and unfamiliarity of the island is also a catalyst for hopelessness. Piggy’s pessimism displays this as he suggests that “they’re all dead” (9) and that “nobody don’t know we’re here” (9). The immediate searching of the island brings about the shattering of their hope that it “isn’t an island” (20). Once their hunger is realized they resign to the need to “hunt” (27) and “catch things” (27) as it seems that rescue is not imminent.
Although a resignation has been made to the idea that they may not be rescued, a mood of happiness and enjoyment is established through this isolation. The island can be seen as an oasis of sorts from the troubles going on in the world. When Piggy reminds Ralph that the pilot said something about “the atom bomb” (Golding 9) it is evident that chaos and destruction is happening outside of the confines of their island. In this way it is seen as a positive setting by the boys. Along with the realization that there were no older people on the island, the characters get the sense that they can abandon responsibility. “They’re off bathing, or eating, or playing” (51) because of this and are enjoying the freedom the island is providing them with.
