He no longer sees his job as a leader as a sport or fun. He sees it as a serious responsibility, and it seems to tire him out at this point. He longs for civilization more than anyone but Piggy.
question
Who does Ralph blame for letting the fire go out?
answer
The hunters
question
How does Jack deal with the fear?
answer
Jack, while he denies the existence of a beast, implies that if there were one, he, as a hunter, would kill it.
question
What does Piggy represent in his speech at the assembly?
answer
Piggy, now half blind, stands for rules, intelligence, science, and order, which are in tatters.
question
The second littlun has lost his connection to the previous world. What does this precipitate?
answer
The rest of the littluns begin to cry with Percival. Then he reveals that "the beast comes out of the sea." (Pg. 88) This is a moment that will haunt the boys. The sea itself surrounds them, is mysterious, prevents their rescue, and holds too much unknown for them to deal with intelligently. If a terror comes from the water, it must be powerful.
question
What theme does Simon express at the meeting? What is the reaction?
answer
Simon, struggling to find the words, states that the beast is real. Ralph is astonished, but Simon then comes to the conclusion that "maybe it's only us." (Pg. 89)
question
The meeting breaks down in confusion and fear. Jack defies the rules and starts talking without having the conch. When Ralph shouts to Jack, "You're breaking the rules," Jack responds, "Who cares?" What is Ralph's response?
answer
Ralph knows that "the rules are the only thing we've got"' (Pg. 91)
question
What does Ralph mean by that comment and why is it significant?
answer
The rules "are the only thing we've got" to keep the island society together as a unit. Without the rules there seems to be only anarchy as the behavior of the boys at the assembly seems to reveal.
question
What is Ralph's dilemma?
answer
If he tries to establish order by blowing the symbol of authority, the conch, and no one responds, they are doomed; if he does not blow the conch, they are doomed anyway.
question
Why does Piggy desperately want Ralph to stay on as chief?
answer
He fears what Jack would do to him if Ralph stepped down as chief.
question
Find an example of irony dealing with adults on page 94.
answer
One of the three boys, Ralph, Piggy, or Simon, says, "they wouldn't quarrel" This statement is a perfect example of "dramatic irony." The adults on the planet are engaged in a nuclear war; the children are merely, at this point, arguing among themselves.
question
In what sense are Ralph, Piggy and Simon in conflict with the rest of the boys?
answer
They are voices of reason trying to re-establish a society that will result in their working together to be saved. The rest of the boys cannot seem to get this picture.
question
In this assembly, Ralph acts like the leader he is, but what does he feel that he lacks?
answer
He realizes that Piggy is a better thinker than he is.
question
True or False: Ralph cannot or will not assure the boys that the beast does not exist
answer
False
question
Where does Ralph decree shall be the only place where fire is allowed?
answer
On the mountaintop
question
Who makes a strong case that the beast could not possibly exist?
answer
Piggy
question
What does Ralph identify as a primary distraction during their meetings?
answer
The littluns bouncing on a springy log
question
Why does Ralph choose an easy path of firm ground to return to the platform to call and assembly?
answer
So he could concentrate on his thinking rather than walking.
question
What is Ralph discovering that he dislikes about the way he is living?
answer
He dislikes his new life. He also hates his dirty, worn-out clothes because they are becoming uncomfortable. He also hates the dirt and stuff he has to constantly flick out of his hair and eyes.
question
How does Piggy show disapproval as Ralph's assembly is called?
answer
Piggy stands outside of the triangle.
question
What four complaints does Ralph bring up at the hastily called assembly?
answer
Not enough drinking water, everyone should help build shelters, littleuns, need to go to the bathroom in the right spot, they can't let the fire go out again.
question
Littlun Phil reports he saw something at night in the jungle. What was it?
answer
Phil reports that he saw something big and horrid in the trees of the jungle, which turned out to be Simon going to his spot in the jungle.
question
What does Littlun Percival Wemys Madison reveal to the assembly?
answer
That the beast comes out from under the sea.
question
What rationale does Piggy give for not believing in ghosts?
