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The Lord of the Flies: PlotBack to Main PageLord of the Flies tells the story of young boys marooned on a island after their plane is shot down during a war. The story opens with Ralph meeting Piggy, a chubby smart boy. They find a conch on the beach and Ralph blows it, summoning other young boys from the jungle.
The boys range in age from 6 to 12, referred to as littluns and biguns respectively. A group of choir boys appear, led by a boy named Jack. The boys elect Ralph as leader, to the disappointment of Jack. They decide to hold daily assemblies where one cannot speak unless he holds the conch. The boys initially develop a civilized society centered around the daily assemblies and keeping a fire ablaze to signal to ships for rescue. Jack and his choir boys volunteer to keep the fire going, which can be started using Piggy’s glasses. Life is difficult as the boys adjust to their new lives. They fear beasts hiding in the woods. Jack’s group becomes increasingly distracted by the lure of hunting and falls on their duties to tend the fire. Ralph clashes with Jack in a power struggle. Gradually, the camp divides into two sub-factions. Jack rules his group like a tyrant and they descend into savagery, painting their bodies and carrying spears. After stealing fire in the form of Piggy’s glasses, they murder Piggy and hunt Ralph like a pig. He is chased out to the beach, where they find a Naval officer and their rescue. |
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