2.5.2
Beast from the Water 2
Jack and Piggy's Fight
Jack and Piggy's Fight
Jack and Piggy fight over the conch shell and the boys see them as two shadows and a conch which is partially illuminated by the dying light of the evening. Jack starts to challenge Ralph's authority.
The beast in the sea
The beast in the sea
- Piggy asks another littlun (Percival) to come forward.
- Percival cries and Jack grabs him and shakes him, demanding to know where the beast lives.
- Percival says that “the beast comes out of the sea”.
- All of the boys go quiet before they start arguing again.
The beast inside
The beast inside
- Simon breaks up the arguing by saying that there might be a beast, it might be inside the boys themselves: “Maybe it’s only us”.
- All of the other boys disagree.
The fight
The fight
- After one of the boys suggests the beast is a ghost, and most of the others say they do believe in ghosts, Piggy asks if the boys are humans, animals or savages.
- Jack tells Piggy to shut up.
- Jack and Piggy fight over the conch.
Symbolism
Symbolism
- The boys see them as two shadows and a conch which is partially illuminated by the dying light of the evening.
- This fight could symbolise that logic and reason (Piggy) are being smothered by the darkness and violence (Jack).
- Authority and control (the conch) are fading as darkness takes over.
Jack and Ralph argue
Jack and Ralph argue
- Ralph says that Piggy has the conch, so he has the right to speak.
- Jack argues that Ralph always supports Piggy.
- Jack says that Ralph should not be chief – he can’t even hunt.
- Ralph argues that Jack is breaking the rules but Jack says, “Who cares?”
- Ralph tells him that “the rules are the only things we’ve got!”
Jack's Challenge
Jack's Challenge
Jack tells the boys that they don’t need to follow any rules and leads them down to the beach. Ralph refuses to blow the conch shell to get the boys back because he is scared they will not come which would mean the end of order.
Allegory
Allegory
- At this point, we see three parts of society fighting for control and we wonder who will survive:
- Science and logic – Piggy.
- Violence – Jack.
- Authority – Ralph.
Jack's challenge
Jack's challenge
- After telling the other boys that they don’t need to follow any rules, Jack leads them down to the beach.
- He tells them they can kill any beast.
Ralph's doubt
Ralph's doubt
- Piggy tells Ralph to blow the conch and get the boys back, but Ralph refuses.
- If he blows it and the boys do not return, there is no order left.
- Ralph wonders if he should stop being chief, but Piggy tells him that he needs to be the chief or Jack will take over.
- Jack would be obsessed with hunting and they would never be rescued.
Piggy's fears
Piggy's fears
- Piggy and Ralph realise that Simon is with them as well.
- Ralph repeats that he will stop being the chief but Simon agrees with Piggy that Ralph must continue to be the chief.
- Piggy is scared of Jack.
- He worries about his own safety if Ralph stops being chief because he knows he is not safe with Jack.
Adults
Adults
- Ralph wishes there were adults on the island who could help them.
- He cries out, hoping an adult will hear him.
1Context
2Story Analysis
2.2Chapter 2
2.3Chapter 3
2.4Chapter 4
2.6Chapter 6
2.7Chapter 7
2.9Chapter 9
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
3Key Characters
4Key Concepts
5Writing Techniques
Jump to other topics
1Context
2Story Analysis
2.2Chapter 2
2.3Chapter 3
2.4Chapter 4
2.6Chapter 6
2.7Chapter 7
2.9Chapter 9
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
3Key Characters
4Key Concepts
5Writing Techniques
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