Lord of the Flies: Plot Summary

What happens in Lord of the Flies?

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Chapters One and Two

  • Group of boys evacuated due to war involving England.  Marooned on small island.
  • Ralph + Piggy FIND CONCHRalph blows it to call other survivors to beach.
  • Choirboys arrive, led by Jack Merridew - mostly older boys.
  • RALPH ELECTED LEADER.  Jack displeased.  Choir --> Hunters
  • Ralph, Jack + Simon exploreJack almost kills piglet.
  • Meeting called.  Conch becomes SYMBOL of AUTHORITY.
  • Boys argue over existence of beast.
  • FIRE LIT to attract attention, but BURNS OUT OF CONTROL.  Boy with birthmark disappears.
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Chapters Three and Four

  • Jack takes delight in tracking pigs, but fails to kill any.
  • Ralph constructs shelters but with limited success - lack of help.
  • JACK + RALPH ARGUE OVER PRIORITIES (hunting vs. shelters + boys' general well-being)
  • Simon goes into forest alone.
  • Roger + Maurice destroy smaller children's sandcastles.  Roger throws stones at Henry.
  • RALPH SPOTS SHIP.  Chance of rescue disappears because fire left unattended.
  • Hunters return with pig.  Ralph angry with Jack for letting fire go out.
  • Feeling guilty, JACK LASHES OUT AT PIGGY - smashes a lens in his glasses.
  • Ralph upset, calls a meeting.
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Chapters Five and Six

  • Ralph points out requirements for survival.
  • Discussion turns to 'beastie' - Jack + Piggy dismissive.
  • DEAD PARACHUTIST drifts onto island near fire, unseen.
  • Sam + Eric believe parachutist is beast, rush to tell others.
  • Boys gather on platform, JACK suggests they HUNT beast.
  • Ralph, Jack + older boys head off together.  Piggy stays with littluns.
  • Ralph goes alone to unexplored part of rocky outcrop, soon joined by Jack.
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Chapters Seven and Eight

  • Ralph notices how dirty boys have become.
  • Ralph + hunters try to kill wild boar.  In frenzy, re-enact event.
  • Ralph, Jack + Roger hunt for beast on mountain-top.  See dead parachutist - think it's the beast.
  • Boys discuss beast.  Jack thinks hunters can kill it.  Ralph knows they are boys armed with sticks.
  • JACK UNSUCESSFULLY TRIES TO OVERTHROW RALPH as leader.  Wanders off, soon secretly joined by many of older boys.
  • Hunters kill sow.  Plan to invite others to feast with aim of stealing their fire.  Put pig's head on stick.
  • SIMON HAS 'CONVERSATION' WITH PIG'S HEAD, falls unconscious.
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Chapters Nine and Ten

  • Simon sees dead parachutist + KNOWS TRUTH about beast.
  • Ralph + Piggy join other boys' feast.  Dance + chant as thunder stikes.
  • Simon stumbles into tribal circleSeen as beast, KILLED IN FRENZIED ATTACK
  • Simon + parachutist washed out to sea.
  • Ralph, Piggy, Sam + Eric show signs of guilt.  Ralph confused.
  • Jack + hunters set up camp on rocky outcrop.
  • 3 hunters attack Piggy at night + STEAL GLASSES.
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Chapters Eleven and Twelve

  • Ralph, Piggy, Sam + Eric decide to confront Jack.
  • PIGGY KILLED by falling rock when Roger leans on lever, catapulting rock towards him.  CONCH DESTROYED also.
  • Sam + Eric captured by hunters, leaving Ralph alone.
  • Jack + hunters track Ralph (as if he is pig).
  • Jack sets most of ISLAND ON FIRE to flush out Ralph.
  • Ralph collapses on beach, looks up, sees NAVAL OFFICER.  He is rescued!
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