Lord of the Flies Plot Summary - Full Lesson - Schooling Online

Summary

A group of British schoolboys is stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes. Initially, they try to maintain order, with Ralph elected as leader and Jack in charge of hunting. As the boys struggle to survive, tensions rise between Ralph's focus on rescue and Jack's growing desire for power. The fear of a mythical Beast fuels paranoia, while Simon discovers the truth: the Beast is just a dead parachutist. Chaos escalates as the boys descend into savagery, culminating in the tragic death of Simon and the murder of Piggy. The boys' descent into violence is only interrupted by the arrival of a naval officer, who rescues them, leaving them to face the consequences of their actions.

Takeaways

• 😀 A group of British schoolboys is stranded on a tropical island after a plane crash, possibly due to a military conflict.
• 😀 Ralph is elected as the leader of the boys, while Jack leads the choirboys, who become the hunters.
• 😀 The boys initially try to organize themselves with rules and a signal fire to attract rescue, but tension grows between Ralph and Jack.
• 😀 Piggy is a thoughtful but physically vulnerable boy, whose glasses are used to light the fire, and who struggles to maintain order.
• 😀 Fear of a mythical 'beast' spreads among the boys, leading to paranoia and a breakdown of their societal structure.
• 😀 Simon discovers that the 'beast' is not external, but represents the darkness within the boys themselves, yet he is tragically killed.
• 😀 Jack's increasing focus on hunting and savagery leads to a split in the group, with some boys defecting to his tribe.
• 😀 As tensions rise, the boys descend further into violence, and Ralph's leadership falters as Jack's tribe grows stronger.
• 😀 Piggy is killed when a boulder is rolled onto him by Roger, and Ralph narrowly escapes with his life from Jack's tribe.
• 😀 The boys' descent into savagery culminates in a massive fire, which attracts a British naval officer who rescues them.
• 😀 The officer's arrival marks the end of their time on the island, but the boys are left deeply traumatized, having lost their innocence.

Q & A

What is the main reason the boys end up stranded on the island?

The boys are stranded on the island after their plane crashes, possibly due to being shot down, and the wreckage is dragged out to sea in a storm. They were evacuated due to the outbreak of nuclear war.

How does Ralph become the leader of the group?

Ralph is voted as the leader during the boys' first meeting on the island, despite Jack Merido assuming he would be chosen. Ralph's leadership is affirmed when the boys vote for him, and Jack is assigned leadership over the choir boys who become the hunters.

What role does the conch shell play in the story?

The conch shell is used by Ralph to call meetings and maintain order. It symbolizes authority and civilization. Piggy also uses it to help Ralph maintain structure, but Jack eventually dismisses its importance as his tribe becomes more savage.

Why do the boys create a signal fire, and what goes wrong with it?

The boys create a signal fire to attract passing ships for rescue. However, the fire gets out of control, nearly setting the island ablaze, and one of the younger boys goes missing during the chaos, heightening the tension.

What is the significance of the beast in the story?

The 'beast' symbolizes the boys' fear and inner darkness. Initially thought to be an external monster, it is revealed to be a manifestation of the boys' growing savagery and their fear of the unknown, culminating in Simon's realization that it is just a rotting corpse.

How does Jack's tribe evolve throughout the story?

Jack's tribe evolves from a group focused on survival and rescue to a more primal and violent faction. They break away from Ralph's leadership, focusing on hunting and feasting, and eventually start a brutal ritualistic hunt, leading to Simon's murder.

What is Simon's role in the narrative, and what happens to him?

Simon is a kind-hearted, introspective character who seeks solitude in the jungle. He discovers the truth about the 'beast,' realizing it is a dead parachutist. However, in a moment of chaos during a storm, the boys mistakenly kill Simon, believing he is the beast.

How does the conflict between Ralph and Jack intensify?

The conflict between Ralph and Jack escalates as their priorities clash. Ralph focuses on being rescued and maintaining order, while Jack prioritizes hunting and power. This leads to Jack's rebellion, the division of the group, and escalating violence.

What role does Piggy play in the story, and how does he meet his end?

Piggy is the intellectual and rational voice of the group, often advocating for logic and order. His glasses are crucial for starting the fire, and he tries to reason with Jack and his tribe. Piggy meets a tragic end when Roger releases a boulder that kills him and shatters the conch, symbolizing the complete breakdown of order.

What is the significance of the naval officer's arrival at the end of the story?

The arrival of the naval officer represents the return to civilization and the boys' rescue. However, the officer's perception of the boys as ragged and savage highlights their loss of innocence and the extent of their descent into savagery. The boys' tears reflect the weight of the horrors they've experienced.