Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-1-1-the-sound-of-the-shell [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Lord of the Flies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies.md) › The Sound of the Shell # The Sound of the Shell English Lit: AQA GCSE Lord of the Flies, topic 2.1.1 ## Ralph and Piggy At the start of the novel, we are introduced to our two main characters: Ralph and Piggy. ### Ralph and Piggy ![Ralph and Piggy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/51c0fa3b-5582-4aea-92c9-1e9d59944c9c/justitia-judge-scales-law-.jpg) - At the start of the novel, we are introduced to our two main characters: Ralph and Piggy. - In the first line, Ralph is described as __“the boy with fair hair”.__ - The adjective __“fair”__ may have an alternative meaning here. - Ralph is identified as the boy who will try to be fair and treat everyone equally. ### The plane crash ![The plane crash](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/72c58ac3-1297-4fd3-a047-17150e7e9120/superjet-jet-plane-.jpg) - The two boys emerge at the edge of the island and discuss what has happened: their plane has crashed onto the island. - They discover that there are no adults on the island. - Ralph and Piggy notice the damage caused by the plane crash – there is a big burned __“scar”__ on the ground and a tree trunk has been damaged. ### Human damage ![Human damage](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/memory-location-images/Mamanuca%20Islands,%20Fiji-min.jpg) - Piggy says that the plane had been attacked and had crashed. Then the plane’s cabin had hit the island (causing a __“scar”__ on the land), before being dragged out to sea. - This exchange shows how the beautiful island has been damaged and scarred due to the actions of humans – the first time in the novel that the evil nature of humans hurts something innocent. ### Names ![Names](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/36bf7522-5117-4d77-8b2b-6d20e93f755c/shutterstock_642075343.jpg) - Piggy coaxes Ralph to ask for his name, but Ralph does not seem to care. - It is not until Piggy says that he doesn’t care what people call him as long as they don’t use the nickname he was given in school (__“Piggy”__) that Ralph pays attention. ### Ralph's attitude ![Ralph's attitude](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/2e8f9a3e-8964-4595-b081-068185ae8c0a/pigs.jpg) - Despite Piggy’s wishes, Ralph starts laughing and repeating __“Piggy”__ over and over again. - This interaction immediately shows Ralph’s uncaring, nasty attitude towards others. - In his first conversation with Piggy, he deliberately humiliates him. ## The Conch Shell Piggy and Ralph are shown to be very different characters, and we learn of Ralph's desire for power. ### Piggy's vulnerability ![Piggy's vulnerability](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/01d26871-cdc7-4ee3-bcbc-f2fab521b5df/beach-sand-sea-rock-.jpg) - Ralph runs into the water to swim and Piggy reluctantly follows. - We learn that Piggy has __“asthma”__ and does not know how to swim. - This adds to the suggested vulnerability of Piggy. ### Differences ![Differences](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/7.3.1-%20Effects%20of%20human%20interactions%20on%20ecosystems/cemetery-2650712_640-min.jpg) - Ralph reveals that his dad is a commander in the Navy. - Piggy’s parents are both dead. He lived with his aunt for a while, and then he lived at school. - Piggy and Ralph are immediately shown to be very different characters. - The differences between them cause friction later in the story. ### The future ![The future](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/274939d9-dfc9-42da-ab36-2c3bbe83fb3f/nuclear-explosion-.jpg) - Ralph is convinced that his father will come and save them from the island. - Piggy tells him that the plane pilot had said that an atom bomb had been dropped and everyone at home was dead. - He says that the evacuated school boys from England will die on the island, as no one knows where they are. ### Power ![Power](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/061cac29-6850-453b-a920-cae0c63cfc9e/brain-mri-xray.jpg) - Piggy suggests that he and Ralph should explore the island to find any other survivors. - Ralph smiles and Piggy thinks that Ralph appreciates his ideas and recognises his intelligence. - However, Ralph is smiling because he thinks that he can be the boss of the island. He craves power. ### The conch shell ![The conch shell](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/8c48f47b-05d3-49f1-bbe8-5e6c3a1334c4/conch-shell-beach-.jpg) - Ralph sees something in the water – __“a shell”.__ - They get the shell out of the water. - Piggy tells Ralph it's a conch shell and tells Ralph to blow into it to summon the other boys to their location. ## Test yourself on The Sound of the Shell - Which characters are we introduced to first in _Lord of the Flies_? - How have the boys ended up on the island in _Lord of the Flies_? - Events of Chapter 1 - What do we learn about Piggy in Chapter 1? - What is Ralph's father's job? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/08b7e84d-b410-4ab6-9d2b-0cecf0e200ed/section/441ea1a2-93cc-4eea-bf8c-c3d93f416621/session) - Previous topic: [1.1.3 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/1-1-3-end-of-topic-test-context.md) - Next topic: [2.1.2 The Sound of the Shell 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-1-2-the-sound-of-the-shell-2.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Lord of the Flies contents ### 1 Context - 1.1 Context - [1.1.1 The Title](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/1-1-1-the-title.md) - [1.1.2 Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/1-1-2-historical-context.md) - [1.1.3 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/1-1-3-end-of-topic-test-context.md) ### 2 Story Analysis - 2.1 Chapter 1 - [2.1.1 The Sound of the Shell](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-1-1-the-sound-of-the-shell.md) - [2.1.2 The Sound of the Shell 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-1-2-the-sound-of-the-shell-2.md) - 2.2 Chapter 2 - [2.2.1 Fire on the Mountain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-2-1-fire-on-the-mountain.md) - 2.3 Chapter 3 - [2.3.1 Huts on the Beach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-3-1-huts-on-the-beach.md) - 2.4 Chapter 4 - [2.4.1 Painted Faces & Long Hair](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-4-1-painted-faces-and-long-hair.md) - 2.5 Chapter 5 - [2.5.1 Beast from the Water](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-5-1-beast-from-the-water.md) - [2.5.2 Beast from the Water 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-5-2-beast-from-the-water-2.md) - 2.6 Chapter 6 - [2.6.1 Beast From the Air](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-6-1-beast-from-the-air.md) - 2.7 Chapter 7 - [2.7.1 Shadows & Tall Trees](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-7-1-shadows-and-tall-trees.md) - 2.8 Chapter 8 - [2.8.1 Gift for the Darkness](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-8-1-gift-for-the-darkness.md) - [2.8.2 Gift for the Darkness 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-8-2-gift-for-the-darkness-2.md) - [2.8.3 Gift for the Darkness 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-8-3-gift-for-the-darkness-3.md) - 2.9 Chapter 9 - [2.9.1 A View to a Death](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-9-1-a-view-to-a-death.md) - 2.10 Chapter 10 - [2.10.1 The Shell & the Glasses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-10-1-the-shell-and-the-glasses.md) - 2.11 Chapter 11 - [2.11.1 Castle Rock](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-11-1-castle-rock.md) - 2.12 Chapter 12 - [2.12.1 Cry of the Hunters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-12-1-cry-of-the-hunters.md) ### 3 Key Characters - 3.1 Profiles - [3.1.1 Ralph](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/3-1-1-ralph.md) - [3.1.2 Piggy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/3-1-2-piggy.md) - [3.1.3 Jack](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/3-1-3-jack.md) - [3.1.4 Exam-Style Questions - Jack](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/3-1-4-exam-style-questions-jack.md) - [3.1.5 Simon](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/3-1-5-simon.md) - [3.1.6 Roger](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/3-1-6-roger.md) - [3.1.7 End of Topic Test - Ralph, Piggy & Jack](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/3-1-7-end-of-topic-test-ralph-piggy-and-jack.md) - [3.1.8 End of Topic Test - Simon & Roger](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/3-1-8-end-of-topic-test-simon-and-roger.md) - [3.1.9 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/3-1-9-grade-9-key-characters.md) ### 4 Key Concepts - 4.1 Themes - [4.1.1 Human Nature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/4-1-1-human-nature.md) - [4.1.2 The Beast](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/4-1-2-the-beast.md) - [4.1.3 Savagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/4-1-3-savagery.md) - [4.1.4 Location & Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/4-1-4-location-and-setting.md) - [4.1.5 Democracy & Dictatorship](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/4-1-5-democracy-and-dictatorship.md) - [4.1.6 Power & Control](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/4-1-6-power-and-control.md) - [4.1.7 End of Topic Test - Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/4-1-7-end-of-topic-test-themes.md) ### 5 Writing Techniques - 5.1 Writing Techniques - [5.1.1 Allegory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/5-1-1-allegory.md) - [5.1.2 Foreshadowing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/5-1-2-foreshadowing.md) - [5.1.3 Pathetic Fallacy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/5-1-3-pathetic-fallacy.md) - [5.1.4 Naming](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/5-1-4-naming.md) - [5.1.5 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/5-1-5-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Characters Quotes - [6.1.1 Ralph - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-1-1-ralph-quotations.md) - [6.1.2 Piggy - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-1-2-piggy-quotations.md) - [6.1.3 Jack - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-1-3-jack-quotations.md) - [6.1.4 Simon - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-1-4-simon-quotations.md) - [6.1.5 Roger - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-1-5-roger-quotations.md) - 6.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [6.2.1 The Sound of the Shell - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-1-the-sound-of-the-shell-quotations.md) - [6.2.2 Fire on the Mountain - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-2-fire-on-the-mountain-quotations.md) - [6.2.3 Huts on the Beach - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-3-huts-on-the-beach-quotations.md) - [6.2.4 Painted Faces & Long Hair - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-4-painted-faces-and-long-hair-quotations.md) - [6.2.5 Beast from the Water - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-5-beast-from-the-water-quotations.md) - [6.2.6 Beast From the Air - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-6-beast-from-the-air-quotations.md) - [6.2.7 Shadows & Tall Trees - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-7-shadows-and-tall-trees-quotations.md) - [6.2.8 Gift for the Darkness - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-8-gift-for-the-darkness-quotations.md) - [6.2.9 Gift for the Darkness - Quotations 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-9-gift-for-the-darkness-quotations-2.md) - [6.2.10 A View to a Death - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-10-a-view-to-a-death-quotations.md) - [6.2.11 The Shell & the Glasses - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-11-the-shell-and-the-glasses-quotations.md) - [6.2.12 Castle Rock - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-12-castle-rock-quotations.md) - [6.2.13 Cry of the Hunters - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/6-2-13-cry-of-the-hunters-quotations.md)