Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/lord-of-the-flies/2-5-1-beast-from-the-water [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) › Beast from the Water # Beast from the Water English Lit: AQA GCSE Lord of the Flies, topic 2.5.1 ## Meeting on the Beach Ralph calls a meeting and walks down to the beach on his own. The other boys join him and he demands the fire is kept going and his orders are obeyed. ### Symbolism ![Symbolism](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/8c48f47b-05d3-49f1-bbe8-5e6c3a1334c4/conch-shell-beach-.jpg) - Ralph blows the conch, signalling that he wants to start a meeting. - The conch is the symbol of civilisation and authority. - Here, we see that it is turning white after being left in the sun. - The fading colour symbolises Ralph’s fading power and authority. ### The choir boys ![The choir boys](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/67628857-d606-44a1-a968-2d814825bac1/hastings-beach-.jpg) - The boys gather on the beach. - The choir boys are nervous because they know that Ralph is furious about them letting the signal fire go out, which meant that they missed a rescue opportunity. ### The meeting ![The meeting](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/3bf436b2-5bb6-43b1-bf1c-a381fc5a26c0/rules-rule-board-.jpg) - Ralph tells the boys that they must make, and agree to follow, important decisions: __“I know what we need. An assembly to put things straight”.__ - He tells them that they had not done any of the things they had agreed to, especially building shelters and keeping the signal fire going (__“We decide things. But they don't get done”__). ### Jack ![Jack](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/34f22cce-5451-4ec0-a6ee-46772f19deca/whisper-secret.jpg) - At this point, Jack starts whispering to one of the other boys. - We are not told what he says, but it shows Jack possibly undermining Ralph’s authority here. ### The fire ![The fire](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/5a2e4d44-1741-4531-8771-87b5110ac1cd/reaction-exothermic-fire-water-.jpg) - Ralph says that they have to keep the signal fire going because it is the only way they will get rescued. - They must be willing to die to keep the fire going. - He says that the boys are not allowed to build any other fires and have to cook only on the signal fire. ### Commands ![Commands](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/c3e680f7-bfdb-49c3-96b0-fc7f48795e65/order-command-.jpg) - He also tells them not to set the island on fire again. - Ralph says that the boys elected him as chief and have to do what he says. ## The "Beastie" Ralph encourages the boys to talk about their fears so they can get past them. Phil (a littleun) takes the conch and talks about his dream the night before. ### The beast ![The beast](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/fc1342fd-9373-4e22-97a1-37ce190cd3bd/conch-shell-beach-sand-.jpg) - Ralph encourages the boys to talk about their fears so they can get past them. - Jack takes the conch shell and tells the littleuns that they are the ones who started talking about the beast and have frightened everyone. - He tells them that there is no beast and fear cannot hurt them. ### The boy's immaturity ![The boy's immaturity](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/42329702-0cd1-4803-b86a-f8b5369915af/ghost-hallucination-spooky-fog-.jpg) - Piggy agrees with Jack that there is no beast. - He says that there is no need for fear – unless they are frightened by other people. - The boys laugh at him. ### Piggy's maturity ![Piggy's maturity](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/6.1.1%20-%20Reproduction/shutterstock-chioldren.jpg) - Piggy tries to keep the meeting sensible and logical (__“When you done laughing perhaps we can get on with the meeting”__). - He does not giggle and act silly, like the other boys. - Piggy invites the littleun who keeps seeing the beast to talk about it. ### Phil's dream ![Phil's dream](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/4.1.1%20Photosynthesis/moon-1859616_640-min.jpg) - Phil (a littleun) takes the conch and talks about his dream the night before. - He had dreamt that he was outside the shelter alone and was fighting with twisty things in the trees. - When he woke up, he was outside the shelter alone, in the dark. ### Night time rules ![Night time rules](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/77cf9808-a10c-4bd0-b5de-2a4407523a80/shutterstock_439886914.jpg) - He also saw something __“big and horrid”__ in the forest. - Ralph tries to dismiss the thing in the forest as part of his nightmare, but Phil says he was definitely awake. - Ralph argues that no one would have left the shelters at night, but Simon says he did. He went into the forest to a place he likes. - Ralph tells Simon not to go out at night again. ## Test yourself on Beast from the Water - How does Ralph signal that he wants to start a meeting? - Who tries to keep the meeting in Chapter 5 sensible and logical by saying __“When you done laughing perhaps we can get on with the meeting”__? - In Chapter 5 which character leaves the shelter in the night and goes into the forest to a place he likes? - Discussing the "Beastie" in Chapter 5 [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/08b7e84d-b410-4ab6-9d2b-0cecf0e200ed/section/4bf4e3d7-8615-4ac5-aef7-a29673a23dbc/session) - Previous topic: [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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)