Ralph And Jack example essay topic

Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell Piggy and Ralph meet up with each other after escaping from their shot-down plane. A large scar was made in the untouched jungle, symbolizing the first of man's destruction on the island. A war is going on in the outside world, and now for the rest of the book, everyone will be isolated from it and put into their own 'world. ' Piggy spots a conch shell, and tells Ralph how to use it to make a noise. Ralph does so, and calls all of the other boys on the island who crashed down with the plane. Jack and his Choir, Simon, Sam and Eric, and many other characters join in an assembly (including the little " uns, which are the youngest kids at about 6 or 7 years old).

Rules are set down, and Ralph is to be chief. There is no one else on the island but the young boys, so Jack decides to take his choir out to hunt for wild pigs, although he is unsuccessful in killing a small pig with his knife. Significance: While Jack's first attempt to kill the pig failed, his quote 'next time... ' foreshadowed his future of savage hunting. Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain Ralph calls another assembly, and reminds everyone that they are completely alone on the island, and there are no adults. Jack recounts his failure in killing the pig, and reiterates the need for skilled hunters. Several rules are made up, such as 'whoever holds the conch gets to speak.

' Unexpectedly, an unnamed little " un with a birthmark on his face tells about a 'beast ie' that he saw somewhere on the island. The general consensus from the others is that there is no such thing, and it must be his imagination. Ralph then suggests making a signal fire, which would be necessary if they hope to get rescued. The boys scramble off to gather wood to build a fire. Unsure of how to light it, they finally grab Piggy's specs and focus the sunlight to ignite their fire. They were not careful, however, and soon the fire is engulfing half the forest near the mountain.

The little boy with the birthmark is noticed to be missing, swallowed up by the raging fire. Significance: Piggy is averse to most of the other boys, who he thinks are acting like little children (they are children, obviously, but Piggy acts like the adult figure). He cites their irresponsibility in dealing with the fire. Jack also shows signs of belligerence when he argues with Ralph about the signal fire, and claims that 'The conch doesn't count on the mountain!' Chapter 3: Huts on the Beach Jack is busy tracking a pig at the start of this chapter, when he arrives at the beach where Simon and Ralph are constructing huts. Ralph complains no other boys are helping them with their shelters, but Jack tries to argue that hunting is more important; this expands into yet another argument between Ralph and Jack.

When Jack again brings up hunting, Ralph presses that keeping the signal fire is much more important than hunting. Jack disagrees, and they boys continue on their path of mutual dislike. Ignorant to the fussing of the other boys, Simon picks fruit for the little " uns and makes his way into the jungle finding a clearing. He climbs onto a mat of creepers, and remains there; he enjoys the tranquility of this spot, where he can be in touch with nature. Significance: Jack is solely concerned with hunting, and cannot see the necessity of other things that can keep them alive. Ralph and Jack are really beginning to fight in this chapter, and it foreshadows much more future conflicts down the line.

Simon's actions present him as a very good, peaceful and helpful character, in contrast with many others. Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair Roger is knocking down sand structures made by little " uns, and throwing rocks at a young boy, although intentionally missing. Jack calls Roger away, asking him to watch him paint his face for hunting pigs. Ralph and the other boys are swimming in the bathing pool later on, when smoke from a ship is spotted in the distance.

The signal fire was out, not being watched, obliterating their chances of rescue. Oblivious, Jack and his hunters come proudly marching carrying their first kill, trying to convey their excitement to Ralph. When Ralph yells that a ship passed them by and no fire was going, excuses are made and Jack tries to say that hunting is of utmost importance. In the ensuing fight, Jack punches Piggy, breaking and knocking off his specs. Finally, the fire is lit again, the pig is roasted, and everyone eats. The hunters reenact the hunt, with a wild tribal dance and one boy being the pig; this is the first time of many that the dance is performed.

Significance: Roger's first showing of aggression foreshadows his becoming a very evil and sadistic figure, Jack's invitation to watch him paint his face is the start of their 'evil friendship. ' Jack's mask of face paint represents a cover that he can hide behind, which liberates and frees him, allowing him to do anything when wearing it, without worrying about any important matters. Jack still does not understand Ralph's concern with the fire, and doesn't seem to care much for getting rescued. The primal dance performed by the hunters highlights their transition into savagery. Chapter 5: Beast From Water At another assembly, Ralph mentions that work isn't getting done, and rules aren't being followed. He tries to drive home the fact that '... we ought to die before we let the fire out.

' All the young children, however, are preoccupied with the Beast, which they still believe in as some kind of animal living on the island. Jack says that he's been everywhere, and there is no beast, and Piggy says that a beast can't exist in a world with science. However, a little " un still steps up and says that he saw something horrid in the forest (which was actually Simon returning in the dark from his peaceful area). Another little " un says that there's a 'Beast from the water,' which is further debated. Simon finally tries to settle the matter by saying that there may be a beast, but that 'it's only us. ' However, this is responded to with mocking and joking, as it seems a preposterous notion.

During the assembly, Jack tries brings up the fact that Ralph isn't a good chief, because he can't hunt or sing. Piggy and others are against the idea, but Jack is starting to become more and more savage and overpowering. The assembly soon falls apart and the hunters begin to chant and dance. Significance: Simon is the only one to realize that there really isn't any 'beast,' but just a force of evil or savagery inside all of them that can manifest itself in different ways.

The boys are beginning to split into two factions, those that support Ralph and those that support Jack and his more savage ways. The conflict between them is continuing to build up. Chapter 6: Beast From AirA man from a shot-down fighter plane parachutes down from the sky. The man is already dead, however, and the body and parachute float up to the island, eventually snagging on rocks. The wind continually grabs the parachute, lifting the body up and down, which is seen by Samneric.

Terrified, they run to tell about this 'Beast from the Air,' and an assembly is called. Most everyone now thinks they are in grave danger, and Jack suggests they go hunt it. Jack, Ralph, and a group of hunters set out to get the Beast, while Piggy stays at the beach with the little " uns. They first check Castle Rock, where they had never been before.

Although they find nothing, Jack thinks the place would be a great fort, and he and his hunters heave a large boulder off a ledge. Ralph prods them along, and they decide to continue to the mountain to look for the Beast. Significance: The fighter plane being shot down at the beginning symbolizes the war going on in the real world, and links it to the boys and their island. Jack's intrigue with Castle Rock foreshadows his future use of the location as a fortification. Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees Ralph begins to ponder about their appearance and dirtiness as they walk to the mountain; he would love to get his hair cut back down to a half inch. Simon sees Ralph staring out to sea and repeatedly reassures him that they will get home safely.

Jack, his hunting instincts always engaged, finds traces of a boar which they begin to hunt. Ralph manages to hit it with his spear, but the animal escapes. Another tribal dance is formed, with a boy named Robert as the Pig. Unlike before, Ralph actively participates, and their acting becomes overly realistic, actually striking and hurting Robert. Finally, they move on towards the mountain, and send Simon back to tell Piggy they won't be back soon. Jack scales the mountain and reports a sighting of a moving creature, initiating a mass climb to the summit.

When they see what they believe to be the Beast (the body being lifted by the parachute), they make haste to leave. Significance: Simon's reassurance of their rescue strengthens his position as a positive and good character. Ralph, on the other hand, showed his faltering in blocking his inherent savagery when he joined in on the pig hunt and dance. Even to Ralph, 'the desire to squeeze and hurt was overmastering. ' Even the mock pig hunt is becoming something of danger and greater brutality.

Chapter 8: Gift for the Darkness Piggy is told about the encounter, and everyone tries to decide what to do. Jack calls an assembly, and insists that the Beast is a major threat that should be hunted. Ralph upsets him, though, when he calls his hunters cowards. Enraged, Jack asks if anyone thinks Ralph shouldn't be chief. Nobody responds, so he asks again for anyone to come with him, then runs off with tears in his eyes.

Their signal fire is being blocked by the Beast, as they believe, so they decide to move the fire to the beach. When they get there, they notice that most of the older boys did in fact decide to go off with Jack, except for Ralph, Simon Piggy and Samneric. Jack's tribe begins to hunt, and they come across a sow and baby piglets in the clearing near Simon's domain. They attack and kill the mother sow, while the piglets escape.

The head is severed and put on a stick, which is embedded into the ground as a gift for the Beast. Jack finally realizes that they " ll need fire to cook the meat, so they raid Ralph's camp and steal a flaming log, and invite them to come feast. Ralph maintains that the fire is more important, but has to be reminded why by Piggy. Simon encounters the Pig's head, and manages to start talking to the thing, although it is mostly in his imagination. The black cloud of flies coating the head causes it to now be called 'The Lord of the Flies. ' The Lord of the Flies says 'I'm part of you...

We " re going to have fun on this island. ' It continues to say that if Simon tries to talk to the others about the Beast, that he will be killed by everyone, including Ralph and Piggy. After taking this all in, Simon feels a faint coming on and collapses. Significance: Jack's killing of the mother pig shows his great lack of foresight, as by killing the mother, they were losing all the other piglets who would " ve been a future source of food. The events with Simon are also some of the most important in the book, hence the book's name.

Simon's conversation with it is the basis of the theme of the novel, and is partly his imagination, and partly some kind of 'message' from the unknown. The Lord of the Flies basically confirms to Simon that the Beast really is 'inside' everyone, but says that everyone would rather have fun than worry about anything else. The threat of being killed clearly foreshadows the ending of Simon's life. Chapter 9: A View to a Death A violent storm is raging on the island, while Simon finally wakes up from his faint. He staggers towards the beach to tell the other boys about his ordeal. Piggy and Ralph already decided to check out the roasting of the Pig, where Jack then asks everyone to confirm their loyalty to him.

Ralph tries to persuade them to follow himself and keep the fire alive, but most of the boys are already overcome by Jack's leadership and ability to tell them what they want to hear. Insistent, Ralph tries to talk some sense into them, asking them what they will do without shelters. Jack just orders the boys to begin their dance, oblivious to any dangers. Roger plays the pig, and as the boys begin dancing, even Piggy and Ralph feel the strong lure to be part of the group, take part in this primal ritual.

As before, the dance escalates into real attacking, but they are distracted by a figure emerging from the jungle. They call out that 'it's the Beast!' and begin to attack it relentlessly. The beaten and dead body of Simon is then carried out to the sea by the current. Significance: The beating of Simon by all the boys, even Ralph and Piggy who were caught up in the frenzy, fulfills the Lord of the Flies' 'prophecy. ' Even these boys were overcome with their savage side when in such close contact with all the other boys. Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses Samneric are collecting wood for the fire, while Ralph and Piggy discuss the murder of Simon; the rest of the boys pledge their loyalty to Jack.

Piggy claims that the whole affair was an accident, and that they just got all caught up. Jack meanwhile is guarding his fort on Castle Rock, where Roger is always ready to use a lever to drop a boulder on intruders. Jack has a boy tied up and beaten, for no reason except to show what happens if anyone gets in his way. His savagery is obvious now, and his face is always painted. Ralph is still pondering over watching the fire, and he always has to be reminded that the fire is a necessity. Ralph tries to reassure the twins that what they are doing is right, and Jack is wrong, in response to their protests.

They finally concede to leave the fire and go to their shelters. They are woken up by unusual sounds, and fear it may be the Beast, but it turns out to be Jack and tribe searching for fire. They break into the shelter and begin to fight for Piggy's glasses, cutting and knocking teeth loose in the process. Significance: The murder of Simon is somewhat of a wake-up call for Ralph, who doesn't accept that it was just an accident. The constant need to be reminded about the fire, though, shows that he is losing touch with civilization, and responsibility. Roger being ready with the massive boulder foreshadows some future use for it, undoubtedly to cause harm.

The stealing of Piggy's glasses shows a disappearance of a symbol of order and clear-sightedness, as they unwillingly drift from civilization. Chapter 11: Castle Rock Ralph calls an assembly in worry, and Piggy, the twins and a few little " uns are the only ones left to attend. Ralph suggests to the bruised boys that they may be able to go to Jack and demand the specs back, since they are not savages and rescue is not just a game. Ralph and Samneric set off carrying spears, leading Piggy holding the conch.

At Castle Rock, Roger orders the boys to halt, but Ralph blows the conch. Ralph tells them he is calling an assembly, and Jack steps forward. He laughs at their request to return the specs, and a fight ensues. Jack then orders his tribe to grab Samneric, and tie them up. Suddenly, interrupting the fighting, Piggy speaks up, asking everyone if it is better to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill. Everyone remains silent and hears his message.

As Piggy continues his preaching of democracy, Roger slams the lever holding the boulder and it goes careening down. Ralph dodges the rock, but the unseeing Piggy is struck, sending him flying 40 feet straight down and shattering the conch. Even Jack is a bit surprised with Roger's quick and brutal action, but he assures Ralph that it will happen to him next. Ralph begins to run away, and the tribe eventually gives up pursuit under Jack's order. Significance: Piggy's willingness to come along for what he believes is right, and his standing up and speaking out shows that he has gained greater courage and confidence since the beginning of the novel. His tragic death and the shattering of the conch represents the disappearance of some of the last remnants of democracy.

With Samneric taken under Jack's control, Ralph is the only one left with the waning sense of democracy and goodness. Chapter 12: Cry of the Hunters Ralph is huddled in the jungle near Castle Rock, as dusk passes. Samneric, who are guarding Castle Rock under Jack's leadership, are approached by Ralph. They inform him that Jack's tribe will be out hunting him the next day, and they have 'sharpened a stick at both ends. ' Ralph tells Samneric of his hiding spot, and proceeds back to it.

Scared by Jack's power, Samneric tell Jack about Ralph's hiding spot the next morning. Another boulder is rolled down, but misses smashing Ralph. Other attempts of getting Ralph from his hiding spot are unsuccessful, so they set the entire area on fire in desperation. Ralph begins to run from the advancing fire, making his way to Simon's mat of creepers where he hides and lays low. The savages advance with the fire, searching, hunting for Ralph. They finally reach Ralph's hiding spot, and Roger looks in.

Ralph attacks him, knocking him over, and continued running to the beach. Running wildly, he almost crashed into a Naval officer standing at the beach, who was attracted by all the fire and smoke. He assumes that their stay on the island must " ve been all 'fun and games,' but is surprised at the spears and face paint on many of the boys. Some are crying, many are confused. The officer is told that two boys were killed, and everyone is taken to a Navy cruiser. Significance: The 'stick sharpened at both ends' is a reference to what they did with the Lord of the Flies, impaling one end in the head and the other in the ground.

This shows the brutality of what they planned to do to Ralph, who indeed felt like a pig being hunted by the savages. The fire set on the entire island shows the tribe's complete lack of foresight, as if they were not rescued, they would have no food or shelter. Ironically, the fire meant for evil started by Jack turned out to be what got the boys saved. The arrival of the Naval officer thus seems like a happy and ironic ending, but if one digs deeper it is just a continuation from one war to another. Once all the boys get on the Navy cruiser, they " ll most likely just be subjected to more battle and fighting, this time on a worldwide level, due to the war taking place in the outside world.