Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-1-2-the-sound-of-the-shell-2

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# The Sound of the Shell 2

English Lit: AQA GCSE Lord of the Flies, topic 2.1.2

## Jack Merridew

Jack Merridew is the leader of the choir boys. He is also presented as a character who enjoys having power, and has little sympathy for others.

### Other characters

![Other characters](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/memory-location-images/Mystery%20Island,%20Vanuatu-min.jpg)

- After a few moments after Ralph blows into the conch shell, more children begin to appear from the forest:
  - Johnny and 3 other boys – around 6 years old.
  - Another boy around Piggy’s age.
  - Eric and Sam – twins.
  - A group of choir boys.
- All of the boys are 6-12 years old.

### Jack Merridew

![Jack Merridew](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/fadc6133-53fb-47cf-8553-644e848c5a5f/choir-boys-church-music-sing-.jpg)

- The leader of the choir boys, Jack Merridew, talks to Ralph.
- Jack commands the choir boys to stay in line.
- However because it is so hot and they have heavy choir robes on, one choir boy (Simon) faints.

### Jack's character

![Jack's character](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/2.2.1%20States%20of%20matter/stone-2715446_640-min%20-%20Edited.jpg)

- Jack allows the other boys to lift Simon up onto a rock. 
- Then he orders them to leave Simon alone because he faints all the time.
- Jack is immediately presented as a character who enjoys having power, and has little sympathy for others.

### Piggy's humiliation

![Piggy's humiliation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/8c48f47b-05d3-49f1-bbe8-5e6c3a1334c4/conch-shell-beach-.jpg)

- Ralph confirms to Jack that there are no adults on the island.
- Piggy tells Jack that Ralph blew into the conch shell to call a meeting, and then he begins to talk about the boys.
- Jack dismisses Piggy:
  - Jack: __“You’re talking too much. Shut up, Fatty.”__
- Without knowing much about Piggy, Jack’s first conversation with him causes Piggy some humiliation (much like Ralph earlier).

### Piggy's victimisation

![Piggy's victimisation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/147dc6b5-27e7-4a30-957a-f977eba5628c/shutterstock_117754507.jpg)

- Ralph tells Jack that his name isn’t Fatty; it’s Piggy. 
- This causes all of the boys to laugh and start chanting __“Piggy!”__
- It does not take very long for the boys to start victimising Piggy because he is different to them.

### Society

![Society](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/4cae334f-b377-4914-ae40-c3968687c3f2/Mockery-Mocking-Laughing-Funny-Cruel.jpg)

- These initial interactions between Piggy, Ralph and Jack all show a nasty, unfair side of society: people harshly judging others for their appearance or the way they come across.

## The Vote

The group decide they need __"a chief to decide things”__ and conduct a vote. Ralph wins but allows Jack to retain control of the choir.

### Finding a leader

![Finding a leader](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/45a05283-ebd0-45d0-a395-30b1a432915f/polling-station-voting-.jpg)

- Jack says that they need to come up with a plan to be rescued.
- It is Ralph who says: __“We ought to have a chief to decide things”.__
- They decide to vote between Jack (who thinks he should be the island chief because he is the choir leader) and Ralph.

### The vote

![The vote](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/1a698b97-68b0-40e8-8c6d-aada232cf698/vote-yes-tick.jpg)

- The choir vote for Jack, but everyone else votes for Ralph.
- Ralph is elected as the chief of the island: __“Every hand outside the choir except Piggy’s was raised immediately”.__

### Control of the choir

![Control of the choir](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/fadc6133-53fb-47cf-8553-644e848c5a5f/choir-boys-church-music-sing-.jpg)

- Ralph gives control of the choir to Jack (__“the choir belongs to you, of course”__) which makes Jack start to like Ralph.
- Jack decides that he and the choir will be the hunters – he allows them to remove their robes.

### Exploration

![Exploration](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/fb233709-cc7b-4f98-a6d5-838550c632a9/shutterstock_444328321.jpg)

- Ralph and Jack decide to explore the island.
- Piggy wants to join them but is rejected (__“We don’t want you”__). 
- Instead, they take a boy named Simon.
- Jack reveals that he has a knife on his belt.

## Exploring the Island

Ralph, Jack and Simon head off to explore the island. As they explore, they play-fight and wrestle with each other.

### Power over nature

![Power over nature](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/8b51844f-5175-4e95-960e-8169621c3d17/Freedom-Break-Free-BreakingFree.jpg)

- Ralph, Jack and Simon head off to explore the island. 
- They follow an animal track and come to a huge boulder, blocking their path.
- Together, they push the boulder out of their way and stand on top of the mountain. 
  - This could symbolise them exerting their power over nature.

### The island

![The island](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/41a6a090-3ec2-4976-9bec-522383af6ec3/lochan-scotland-lanscape-mountain-lake-.jpg)

- As they stand on top of the island, the boys are able to see that they really are on an island. 
- There are no villages, smoke, or other civilisations on the island.
- The boys are excited at the idea that they can be the leaders of their own island and that they have plenty of food and water to sustain them.

### A wild pig

![A wild pig](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/66011c5a-c11f-44ca-9f2f-cf7f2e33add5/wild-pig-animal-nature-.jpg)

- Walking back down the mountain, the boys see a wild pig tangled in vines.
- Jack pulls out his knife but pauses too long at the idea of killing a living creature (__“They knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood”.__).

### Jack's shame

![Jack's shame](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/017e0f16-4adf-4d76-87b7-81a02e443667/knife-crime-murder-.jpg)

- The pig escapes.
- Jack feels ashamed that he hesitated. 
- He promises Ralph that he will kill the next time he has an opportunity.

## Test yourself on The Sound of the Shell 2

- Which choir boy faints in Chapter 1?
- Events of Chapter 1
- In Chapter 1, who says: __“We ought to have a chief to decide things”__?
- In Chapter 1, which characters head off to explore the island?
- In Chapter 1, what symbolises the boys exerting their power over nature?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/08b7e84d-b410-4ab6-9d2b-0cecf0e200ed/section/bd7bfcd2-2574-432a-83c7-ecf67d59ae9c/session)

- Previous topic: [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)
- Next topic: [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)

## 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)