Lord of the files chapter summary

Because of the atom bomb's devastation, it's likely that no one knows the boys' whereabouts. Ralph is delighted to be on a pristine tropical island without adults, but Piggy is less pleased. The two boys make their way out of the jungle and onto the beach. Ralph is not much interested in Piggy and does not request an introduction in turn when Piggy asks Ralph's name. Piggy confides his hope that the boys on this island won't call him Piggy as they did back home.

On the beach, Ralph investigates a large platform of pink granite overlooking a long pool that had formed in the beach. After demonstrating his swimming skills, Ralph spies a conch, which Piggy identifies as a valuable shell that can be blown as a trumpet. Piggy urges Ralph to blow into the shell, using it to summon any other survivors to the beach.

Soon boys between ages 6 and 12 come streaming out of the jungle onto the beach, assembling on the platform near Ralph. Last to arrive are Jack and the choirboys. But instead of asking the fat boy's name, Ralph wanders off. The fat boy follows, but can barely keep up because of his asthma. When the fat boy starts eating some fruit, Ralph slips away and finds a beautiful beach.

Ralph ignores the fat boy because the boy is fat and weak. Even in paradise, human nature is prejudiced against weakness. Eventually the fat boy finds Ralph and proposes they call a meeting and make a list of everyone who survived. He lets slip that in school people called him Piggy.

Ralph laughs. Piggy begs Ralph not to tell anyone. Piggy, the weak boy, tries to win the friendship of Ralph, the strong boy. Piggy's desperation only makes him seem more weak. The boys keep exploring. Ralph finds a perfect swimming hole and says his father , who's in the Navy, will come rescue them. But Piggy is fairly certain that no one knows where they landed. Piggy says they have to do something. Just then, Ralph spots a huge conch shell. Piggy realizes they can use it as a trumpet.

Piggy can't blow it himself, because of his asthma, but shows Ralph how to do it. Ralph blows, and a huge blast sounds. Though weak, Piggy is smarter than Ralph. He comes up with the idea for the meeting and using the conch. By blowing the conch, Ralph and Piggy both become civilizing forces: they organize the boys to figure out what to do. All the boys gather on the beach: they range in age from six to twelve.

There's one set of twins, Sam and Eric. A group of the older boys are members of a choir, dressed in black. Their leader is Jack , a redhead who tries to take control of the meeting. One of the boys in the choir, Simon , faints. Jack soon tells Piggy to shut up, and calls him "Fatty. The meeting is Piggy's effort to build a "civilization," but already Jack seeks to take over by mocking Piggy.

Ralph plays along, wanting to seem strong. Fainting spells like Simon's were once considered signs of a spiritual connection to higher powers. Read more about the struggle to build civilization as a theme.

The civilized Ralph, meanwhile, is unable to understand this impulsive and cruel behavior, for he simply cannot conceive of how physical bullying creates a self-gratifying sense of power. Ace your assignments with our guide to Lord of the Flies!

SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Who is the Lord of the Flies? What is the conch and what does it symbolize? How does Simon die? Why does Jack start his own tribe? Do the boys get rescued from the island?

Why is Ralph chosen to be the chief? Why does Jack think he should be the chief? Who is the first boy to die on the island? Why does Jack hate Ralph? What is the beast? What does Simon want to tell the other boys? How does Piggy die? Does Ralph survive? Why is the backdrop of the war important to the story? Please wait while we process your payment. Sign up and get instant access to save the page as your favorite. Summary Chapter 4.