Two separate illustrations of an animal head and a fire on a mountain

Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

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Why do the boys plan to raid Ralph's camp in Lord of the Flies?

Quick answer:

The boys plan to raid Ralph's camp to steal Piggy's glasses, which they need to start a fire for cooking meat. Jack and his hunters carry out the raid at night, successfully taking the glasses after attacking Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric. This act leaves Piggy nearly blind and prompts him to journey to Castle Rock to retrieve them, a decision that ultimately leads to tragic consequences.

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Toward the end of chapter 10, Jack and his hunters raid Ralph's camp during the night to steal Piggy's glasses. In order for the hunters to cook their meat, it is imperative that they build a fire. Jack and his hunters plan on using Piggy's glasses to focus sunlight on dried wood to start a fire so that they can eat their pig meat. In the middle of the night, Jack and his hunters attack Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric while they are sleeping together in a hut. During the struggle, Ralph and Samneric accidentally fight each other in the dark as the hunters make off with Piggy's glasses. Piggy is nearly blind without his glasses, and he decides to travel to Castle Rock with Ralph and Samneric to retrieve his glasses, which proves to be a fatal decision.

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