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Unit 26: William Golding — Lord of the Flies: Detailed Study of Text-II

26.1 Detailed Study of Text Notes

Chapter Seven: Shadows and Tall Trees
The boys continue to travel across the island to the mountain, and they stop to eat. Ralph
notices how long his hair is and how dirty and unclean he has become. He has been following
the hunters, and he observes that on this side of the island, which is opposite to the one on
which the boys have settled, the view is utterly different. The horizon is a hard, clipped blue,
and the ocean crashes against the rocks. He compares the ocean to a thick wall, an impermeable
barrier preventing the boys’ escape. As Ralph appears to lose hope, Simon reassures him that
they will leave the island eventually. Ralph is somewhat doubtful, but Simon replies that his
thoughts are simply opinions. Roger calls for Ralph, telling him that they need to continue
hunting.
That afternoon, the boys discover pig droppings. Jack suggests that they hunt the pig in
addition to continuing their search for the beast. A boar appears, and the boys set out in
pursuit of it. Ralph, who has never hunted before, is excited by the chase and quickly gets
caught up in the adventure. He throws his spear at a boar. While it only nicks his snout, Ralph
is encouraged by what he considers his good marksmanship.

Jack is wounded on his left forearm, apparently by the boar’s tusks. He proudly presents his
wound to the crowd, and Simon tells him he should suck the wound to prevent infection. The
hunters go into a frenzy once more, repeatedly chanting “kill the pig.” Caught up in the
momentum of their chanting and dancing, they jab at Robert with their spears, at first in jest,
and then with more dangerous intent. Frightened and hurt, Robert drags himself away from
the crowd, now aware that they are carried away with their game. Roger and Jack talk about
the chanting, and Jack says that someone should dress up as a pig and pretend to knock him
over. When Robert says that Jack should get a real pig that he can actually kill, Jack replies
that they could just use a littlun. The boys, enamored by Jack’s bold statement, laugh and
cheer him on. Ralph tries to remind the boys that they were only playing a game. He is
concerned about the increasingly violent, impulsive behavior of the hunters.

As evening falls, the boys start climbing up the mountain once more, and Ralph realizes that
they won’t be able to return to the beach until morning. He does not want to leave the littluns
alone with Piggy all night. Jack mocks Ralph for his concern for Piggy. Simon says that he can
go back to the beach and inform the group of the hunters’ whereabouts. Ralph tells Jack that
there is not enough light to go hunting for pigs, so they should wait until morning. Sensing
hostility from Jack, Ralph asks him why he hates him. Jack has no answer.

Though the hunters are tired and afraid, Jack vows that he will go up the mountain to look
for the beast. Jack mocks Ralph for not wanting to go up the mountain, accusing him of being
afraid. Jack claims he saw something bulge on the mountain. Since Jack seems for the first
time somewhat afraid, Ralph agrees that they will look for it immediately. The boys see a
rock-like hump and something like a great ape sitting asleep with its head between its knees.
As soon as they see it, the boys run off, terrified.

Analysis

In this chapter, Golding further develops the themes he introduced in “Beast From Air.” The
rift between Jack and Ralph becomes more intense as Ralph continues to remind Jack of his
misguided priorities. The struggle in this chapter between the two characters again assumes
political overtones, as the two engage in a power struggle for authority over the other boys.

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