Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis
Summary
After the feast at the mountaintop, Ralph paces along the beach, preparing for the assembly he has asked the boys to gather for. He understands that there is a great deal at stake and that the boys will need to arrive at a consensus on how to conduct themselves. Ralph considers the place of thought and wisdom. He has never considered himself a thinker; but now, in his position as leader, he has begun to learn how to think, how to discern the best course of action. He sees these abilities in Piggy, though Piggy cannot convince or lead the other boys.
Ralph approaches the other boys, who have already gathered near the platform on a triangle of logs. Ralph blows the conch and begins the meeting, being sure to think through his words carefully so as to address the most important topics.
Ralph begins by reiterating the need for an assembly, which to him is “not for fun” but rather “to put things straight.” Ralph begins by listing several pressing issues: the boys have ceased to bring water to the camp, the shelters need more work, and the littluns have begun to relieve themselves near the huts and orchards.
Then Ralph turns to the most serious topic—the need to sustain the fire. Ralph frames the tending of the fire as a task of mortal importance. Pointing to the mountaintop, he says, “We’ve got to make smoke up there—or die.” Ralph then bans the starting of other fires, an unpopular decision that he reinforces by restating his chiefdom.
Next, Ralph brings up the topic of the beast. To him, the question of the beast’s existence is not as crucial as the choice of whether or not to be afraid. He insists that the fear of the beast is perhaps the largest obstacle in the way of the boys’ happiness. Jack leaps up, takes the conch, and accuses the littluns of spreading stories about the beast. He claims to have ranged all over the island without spying any beast. Piggy agrees, adding that it would be unrealistic for a large predator to exist on such a small island. As Piggy puts it, “Life… is scientific,” and thus fear of anything ghostly is unneeded. He then calls forward any littluns who have seen the beast to speak.
A boy named Phil comes forward and describes a dream about seeing “twisty things in the trees” and then waking up and seeing something “big and horrid” moving in the trees. Ralph assures him this is not possible since nobody could have been out at night. Simon speaks up, stating that he had gone out into the jungle “to go to a place—a place I know.” Jack mocks him, Ralph admonishes him, and Simon sits down without another word.
Another boy, Percival, is called forward but shrinks in embarrassment. All the boys call for him and he speaks, weeping loudly and deeply, overwhelmed with sorrow and homesickness. When Jack asks him about the beast, Percival nearly faints, but whispers something to Jack before passing out: the beast comes out of the sea. The boys are stunned and begin to speculate about what this could mean. Maurice mentions the possibility of a giant squid, which Piggy and the other boys refute.
Amid the rowdy din of the assembly, Simon then offers another idea: “‘maybe there is a beast’” and “‘maybe it’s only us.’” However, Simon is unable to fully express his vision, and so he goes silent again, as do the rest of the boys. Piggy plucks up the conch again and reasserts his disbelief in ghosts. Jack then insults Piggy, leading Ralph to regret his decision to hold the assembly at night, when the thought of ghosts seems more real. Ralph calls for anyone who believes in ghosts to raise his hand, and he sees numerous hands rise in the descending darkness.
Piggy chastises the group for believing in ghosts, for acting like animals and savages, for “‘going off—hunting pigs—letting fires out—and now!’” Jack silences Piggy before turning his attention to Ralph, at whom he launches an unexpected volley of criticism: “‘And you shut up! Who are you, anyway? Sitting there telling people what to do. You can’t hunt, you can’t sing . . . ’” When Ralph tries to rein in Jack by reiterating his chiefdom and citing the need for rules, Jack breaks loose, whooping, chanting a hunting song, and leading the other boys away from the assembly and down the beach in a rowdy, dancing throng.
Ralph, Simon, and Piggy remain to discuss the situation. Ralph expresses a desire to give up his leadership, but both Simon and Piggy advise against it. Piggy intuits that Jack would snatch up the role of leader and use it against both Piggy and Ralph, both of whom he hates. The boys talk about their longing for grown-up intervention, for adults to bring order and save them from their circumstances. Suddenly Percival, still lying in the grass, begins to wail.
Analysis
When he gathers the assembly, Ralph discerns both the crucial need for order among the group and, as the assembly unfolds, the unattainability of order. As always, the forces threatening the boys’ social order come from both inside and outside the group. The inability of the boys to reach a consensus in terms of their priorities—i.e. hunting or getting rescued—is a major obstacle, as are the numerous moments of day-to-day chaos wrought by small, irresponsible boys.
The beast is a significant threat to order, one which has both an internal and external dimension. While the beast appears to be a threat from outside the group, Ralph notices that the boy’s fear of the beast is perhaps the greater threat. Simon adds to this view of the beast by speculating that “‘maybe it’s only us.’” Here, Golding and Simon hint at a brewing paranoia and distrust between the boys as well as the evil that can come from humanity. Whether there is a beast or not, Golding implies that the most harmful evil is the one that the boys manifest and act upon.
Another major menace to order is Jack, whose sense of personal significance has grown to the point where he no longer hides his dislike for Ralph, whom he has thus far tried to appease. Jack snaps at Ralph, questioning his authority before single-handedly derailing the assembly and taking the boys off to the beach for a bout of stereotypical barbaric-like dancing. In this way, Jack has begun to take aim at the social order from the top, seeking to topple Ralph from his position of rule.
The boys initially listen to Ralph at the meeting because they fear his anger, which Ralph fails to recognize. The mention of the beast stirs their fears again, and Ralph, Piggy, and Simon all try to persuade the boys against the reality of the beast, but to no avail. However, Jack now capitalizes on the boys’ fear. Rather than dismiss it as imaginary, he positions himself as someone who can confront the threat. Jack’s bravado leads him to dismiss the power of the conch and end the meeting on his own terms, further harming the fragile order Ralph had established.
Expert Q&A
In chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, what does Simon mean by "maybe it's only us that we're afraid of"?
In this quote, Simon is referring to the evil inherent to human nature. Simon clearly perceives that, despite the trappings of modern society, man still retains the characteristics of the beasts he ostensibly fears.
In Chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, what does Percival forgetting his telephone number signify?
Percival forgetting his telephone number in Chapter 5 of "Lord of the Flies" symbolizes the boys' fading memories of civilization. This incident underscores the shift from a society driven by logic and reason to one influenced by fear and intimidation. It marks the start of the boys' descent into savagery, a process that culminates in Percival completely forgetting his civilised incantation by Chapter 12.
In chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, what does a littlun see moving in the jungle at night?
In chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, a littlun named Phil reports seeing "something big and horrid" moving in the jungle at night. Despite suggestions that it was a nightmare, Phil insists he was awake during the encounter. This incident intensifies the boys' fear of a beast, contributing significantly to the group's growing conflicts and fears, even though rational explanations like mistaken sightings of other boys, such as Simon, are offered.
In Lord of the Flies, where do the boys get fresh water on the island?
In Lord of the Flies, the boys obtain fresh water from a river running through the island. Initially, they planned to collect and store the water in coconut shells at their camp, but this practice was only maintained for a few days. Eventually, the boys resorted to drinking directly from the river.
In chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, why does Jack maintain the boys' fear of the beast?
In Chapter 5, Jack maintains the boys' fear of the beast to manipulate them and undermine Ralph's leadership. Initially agreeing there is no beast, Jack later exploits the growing fear to position himself as a protector, thus gaining influence. By offering protection through his hunters, Jack encourages the boys to accept his leadership and acts of savagery, allowing the beast's symbolic power of human savagery to manifest in their lives.
In Lord of the Flies, what happens to Percival when he takes the conch?
When Percival takes the conch, he is too nervous to speak in front of the group. Initially, he attempts to recite his name, address, and phone number but forgets his phone number, leading him to wail, which triggers other littluns to cry. Eventually, Jack questions Percival about the beast, and Percival whispers that "the beast comes out of the sea" before falling asleep, reflecting the loss of civilization's hold on the boys.
In chapter 5 of "Lord of the Flies", what does Simon's question about the "dirtiest thing" reveal about human nature?
Simon's question about the "dirtiest thing" in chapter 5 of "Lord of the Flies" reveals that human nature harbors inherent evil. He struggles to articulate that the true beast is not external but resides within themselves, representing mankind's essential illness. This inability to communicate his insight highlights the boys' misunderstanding of their own intrinsic darkness.
In chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, why does Piggy dissuade Ralph from relinquishing his chief role?
In Chapter 5, Piggy dissuades Ralph from relinquishing his chief role because he fears Jack's leadership would focus solely on hunting, neglecting the vital signal fire, and jeopardizing their rescue chances. Piggy also recognizes Ralph as his protector; without Ralph, Piggy would be vulnerable to Jack's aggression. Piggy understands that Ralph's leadership is crucial for maintaining order and safeguarding the weaker boys, including himself, from Jack's tyranny.
What does the phrase "taken short" mean in Lord of the Flies?
The phrase "taken short" in Lord of the Flies means to unexpectedly need to relieve oneself, often due to sudden bouts of diarrhea. Ralph uses this British phrase to address the boys' improper bathroom habits and to explain Simon's odd behavior, highlighting the urgency and unexpected nature of their need.
In Chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, why should the littluns avoid the fruit?
The littluns should avoid the fruit when they need to go to the bathroom. In Chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, Ralph reprimands the boys for defecating near the fruit instead of using the rocks by the ocean, highlighting the deterioration of their camp's organization and civilization.
In chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, how does Maurice pacify the littleuns?
In Chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, Maurice pacifies the littluns during a meeting where fear of a beast causes distress. To distract them, he theatrically pretends to fall, making them laugh and momentarily forget their fears. His antics lighten the mood as the littluns stop crying, and even the older boys join in the laughter. However, the mood shifts again when the discussion of the beast resumes.
Which technique does Golding not use to express the boys' troubled feelings in Chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies?
In Chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, Golding does not use elaborate diction to express the boys' troubled feelings. Instead, he employs repetitive diction, dashes, ellipses, and interrogatives. Repetitive diction underscores the boys' focus on rules and survival. Dashes indicate pauses or shifts in dialogue, while ellipses suggest hesitation or incomplete thoughts. Interrogatives are used to pose both real and rhetorical questions, highlighting their confusion and fear.
What is an example of character paralysis in chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies?
In Chapter 5, Ralph experiences character paralysis as he struggles to articulate his thoughts and organize the boys. He realizes he cannot think as logically as Piggy and feels overwhelmed by the complexities of leadership and existence. Similarly, Simon suffers paralysis when he fails to communicate his understanding of the "beast" to the group, resulting in ridicule. Both characters struggle with inarticulateness, hindering their ability to influence and lead effectively.
Why are Ralph, Piggy, and Simon referred to as "Three Blind Mice" in Lord of the Flies?
Ralph, Piggy, and Simon are referred to as "Three Blind Mice" in Lord of the Flies because they are unable to see a way to reassert leadership against Jack. This occurs after the night assembly when their attempts to emphasize the importance of rescue and civilized behavior are overshadowed by Jack's appeal to hunting and excitement, leaving them isolated and powerless.
In chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies, what do the boys decide the beast can eat?
In Chapter 5, the boys discuss their fear of the beast, considering what it might eat. While Piggy argues that a beast couldn't exist without food, the boys suggest it could eat the feral pigs on the island, just like them. This conversation highlights their growing hysteria and foreshadows the darker aspects of their nature, as the "beast" symbolizes the inherent evil within themselves.
In which chapter of Lord of the Flies does Ralph admit Piggy's superior intellect?
Ralph admits Piggy's superior intellect in chapter five of Lord of the Flies, titled "Beast from Water." While preparing for an important assembly, Ralph recognizes that Piggy possesses a type of thinking that does not come naturally to him, acknowledging Piggy's valuable intellectual ability.
Description of the assembly area in Lord of the Flies
The assembly area in Lord of the Flies is depicted as a natural platform of pink granite rocks by the lagoon. This space is elevated, providing a clear view, and is surrounded by palm trees, making it a central and significant meeting place for the boys on the island.
In Lord of the Flies chapter 5, why does Piggy persuade Ralph to stay chief?
Piggy persuades Ralph to remain chief to protect himself from the more brutal boys like Jack and Roger. Piggy views Ralph as a voice of reason and compassion, which he needs for his safety. He fears Jack, who has already threatened and physically harmed him. Piggy is aware that Jack hates him and worries that without Ralph as chief, he would be vulnerable to Jack's cruelty.
Percival's statements about the origin and residence of the beast in Lord of the Flies
Percival claims that the beast comes from the sea. His assertion reflects the boys' growing fear and the increasing influence of their imaginations over their sense of reality, contributing to the group's descent into savagery.
The significance of the "sign" given to Ralph and Piggy in Lord of the Flies
In Lord of the Flies, the "sign" given to Ralph and Piggy is the dead parachutist, symbolizing the war and chaos in the adult world. It serves as a stark reminder of the breakdown of civilization and the pervasive violence that has engulfed both the boys on the island and the outside world.
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