2.8.1
Gift for the Darkness
Jack Challenges Ralph
Jack Challenges Ralph
Jack uses the conch shell to call a meeting and try and vote Ralph out of power. He is unsuccessful in his challenge and walks away from the group.
The beast
The beast
- In the morning, Ralph tells Piggy that there is a beast on the mountain. Piggy is still sceptical.
- Ralph says that they are all defeated and have no hope of rescue. If they try to build a signal fire, they could be killed by the beast, who lurks by the fire.
- Jack argues that the hunters give them hope, but Ralph says they are just “boys armed with sticks”.
A meeting
A meeting
- After Jack walks away, Piggy tells Ralph that he should not have insulted Jack.
- They hear the conch shell being blown by someone.
- All of the boys arrive at the meeting area.
- Jack has used the conch to call a meeting.
Jack's challenge
Jack's challenge
- Jack tells the boys that there is a beast and that Ralph is a bad chief.
- Jack says that Ralph had told him that the hunters were bad.
- He says that Ralph is a coward because he made Jack go up the mountain alone.
- He says that Ralph is just like Piggy.
Ralph wins
Ralph wins
- Ralph tries to defend himself, but Jack says that Ralph just likes to give orders.
- Jack says that the boys need to vote again for their chief.
- None of the boys raise their hands to vote Ralph out of power.
- Upset and embarrassed, Jack says he does not want to “play” with the boys anymore.
Jack leaves
Jack leaves
- “Slowly the red drained from Jack's cheeks, then came back with a painful rush”.
- Jack puts down the conch and tells the boys that, if they want meat, they can hunt with him.
- Then he walks away.
Building a New Fire
Building a New Fire
Ralph is worried that they will not be rescued because the beast is stopping them from lighting a signal fire. Piggy suggests building a new one on the beach.
Consolation
Consolation
- Piggy tries to console a worried Ralph by saying that, without Jack, they can make good decisions and be more sensible.
- Ralph believes that they will not be rescued because the beast is stopping them from lighting a signal fire.
The beast
The beast
- Simon takes the conch and says that they should go back up to the top of the mountain.
- Piggy disagrees. If Jack, Ralph and Roger ran away from the beast, the other boys would not be able to defeat it.
Piggy's intelligence
Piggy's intelligence
- Piggy suggests that they build a new signal fire on the beach. It won’t be as high up, but it would be better than nothing.
- “Only Piggy could have the intellectual daring to suggest moving the fire from the mountain”.
- Piggy uses his intelligence and logic to attempt a solution to their problem. Unlike Ralph, he does not give up.
The new fire
The new fire
- The boys build a new fire. Piggy uses his glasses himself to start the fire (this is the first time he does this).
- The littleuns are happy that the fire will be close to their shelters because it will make them feel safer in the darkness.
Ralph's worries
Ralph's worries
- Piggy tells Ralph that two of the boys (Bill and Roger) have left to join Jack. Ralph is upset.
- Ralph tells Piggy that he is worried about Simon as no one has seen him.
Simon
Simon
- Ralph and Piggy think that Simon may have gone to the mountain top on his own.
- Simon has gone to his favourite place in the forest, where he can sit and watch the wildlife.
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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