Gift for the Darkness
English Lit: AQA GCSE Lord of the Flies, topic 2.8.1
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
- 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
- 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 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 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
- “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.
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
- 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 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 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
- 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
- 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.
Test yourself on Gift for the Darkness
What does Jack say about Ralph at the meeting in Chapter 8?
Who calls a meeting with the conch at the beginning of Chapter 8?
What does Ralph say to Piggy and Jack at the beginning of Chapter 8?
Who wins the leadership vote in Chapter 8?
What does Piggy use to start the fire in Chapter 8?