Both Uses of
oppress
in
Lord of the Flies
- The silence of the forest was more oppressive than the heat, and at this hour of the day there was not even the whine of insects.
p. 49.0 *oppressive = uncomfortable (weighing heavily on the senses or spirit)
- The silence grew oppressive and Piggy held his breath.
p. 102.4
Definitions:
-
(1)
(oppress as in: oppressive government) to dominate harshly and unfairly; or to make sufferThe meaning of oppress depends upon its context. For example:
- "The authorities oppress political activists," or "The new nation oppressed Native Americans." -- to dominate harshly and unfairly
- "She is oppressed by excessive debt." - made to suffer
-
(2)
(oppress as in: oppressive heat) to make uncomfortable (weigh heavily on the senses or spirit)