(I'm not sure how our page numbers will line up. I am using the Perigree Book published by the Penguin Company, for reference. It has a green fly resting on a boy in a black uniform on the cover.)
In chapter 5, after another confrontation between Jack and Ralph over hunting the beast and maintaining order on the island, Jack rushes away with his group of hunters. Piggy tells Ralph that he has to "make 'em do what you want." Ralph responds:
If I blow the conch and they don't come back; then we've had it. We shan't keep the fire going. We'll be like animals. We'll never be rescued. (92)
Ralph thus realizes the limited power of the conch. Although they all agree that it represents a source of power and authority, the ultimate leadership comes from people—in this case, that should be Ralph. And he realizes that he lacks the abilities to be the real leader the group needs. Thus:
Ralph raised the conch to his lips and then lowered it. (92)
Ralph isn't confident that the either he or the conch hold the...
(The entire section contains 3 answers and 1057 words.)
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