2.8.1

Gift for the Darkness

Test yourself

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.

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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”.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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