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Unit 25: William Golding — Lord of the Flies: Detailed Study of Text-I

Chapter Five: Beast from Water Notes
Ralph goes to the beach because he needs a place to think and feels overcome with frustration
and impotence. He is saddened by his own physical appearance, which has grown shabby
with neglect. In particular, his hair has grown uncomfortably long. He understands the weariness
of life, where everything requires improvisation. Ralph decides to call a meeting near the
bathing pool, realizing that he must think and must make a decision but that he lacks al
intellectual ability.

That afternoon, Ralph blows the conch shell and the assembly gathers. He begins the assembly
seriously, telling them that they are there not for making jokes or for cleverness. He reminds
them that everyone built the first shelter, which is the most sturdy, while the third one, built
only by Simon and Ralph, is unstable. He admonishes them for not using the appropriate
areas for the lavatory. He also reminds them that the fire is the most important thing on the
island, for it is their means of escape. He claims that they ought to die before they let the fire
out. He directs this at the hunters in particular. He repeats the rule that the only place where
they will have a fire is on the mountain. Addressing the spreading fear among the littluns,
Ralph then attempts to demystify the question of the “beastie” or monster. He admits that he
is frightened himself, but their fear is unfounded. Ralph again assures the group that there are
no monsters on the island.

With his customary abruptness, Jack stands up, takes the conch from Ralph, and begins to yell
at the littluns for screaming like babies and not hunting or building or helping. Jack tells them
that there is no beast on the island. Piggy does agree with Jack on that point, telling the kids
that there are no beasts and there is no real reason for fear-unless it is of other people. A
littlun, Phil, tells that he had a nightmare and, when he awoke, saw something big and horrid
moving among the trees. Ralph dismisses it as nothing. Simon admits that he was walking in
the jungle at night.
Percival speaks next, and as he gives his name he recites his address and telephone number.
This reminder of home, however, causes him to break out into tears. All of the littluns join him
in crying. Percival claims that the beast comes out of the sea, and he tells them about frightening
squids. Simon says that maybe there is a beast, and the boys speak about ghosts. Piggy claims
he does not believe in ghosts, but Jack attempts to start a fight again by taunting Piggy and
calling him “Fatty.”

Did u know? Ralph stops the fight and asks the boys how many of them believe in
ghosts. Piggy begins yelling, asking whether the boys are humans, animals,
or savages.

Jack threatens Piggy again, and Ralph intercedes once more, complaining that they are breaking
the rules. When Jack asks, “who cares?” Ralph says that the rules are the only thing that they
have. Jack says that he and his hunters will kill the beast. The assembly breaks up as Jack
leads them on a hunt. Only Ralph, Piggy, and Simon remain. Ralph says that if he blows the
conch to summon them back and they refuse, then they will become like animals and will
never be rescued. He asks Piggy whether there are ghosts or beasts on the island, but Piggy
reassures him. Piggy warns Ralph that if he steps down as chief Jack will do nothing but hunt,
and they will never be rescued. The three imagine the majesty of adult life. They also hear
Percival still sobbing his address.

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