Chapter 5: Summary and Analysis

Beast From Water

As Ralph reflects on the recent developments, he finds himself reminiscing about the promise of a new, unmonitored childhood on the island. He seems to realize that one cannot escape constraints even if one lives in a world with adult supervision, rules, and laws. As he struggles to decide what to discuss during the meeting, he recognizes that thinking is not his forte, but Piggy’s.

The growing tension between Jack and Ralph had already lent the meeting an ominous air. With the assembly scheduled for a very late hour, the group is cloaked in an air of seriousness. At the meeting, Ralph states that the group should prioritize life safely and effectively over having fun. He claims that the boys must show more regard for rules to accomplish this. As an example, he cites the tendency of some boys to relieve themselves wherever they please instead of using the rocks designated for this purpose.

He then adds that a fire signal is central to their prospects for rescue and that it must be kept burning at all times. He orders the boys to build a fire signal on the mountain and nowhere else. He also orders the boys to cook food using only the fire signal and suggests that the signal is more important than hunting. Toward the end of his speech, Ralph states that he senses something like an “abstract fear” on the island.

When it is Jack’s turn to speak, he states that there is nothing to fear on the island. Piggy then takes the conch, but the group does not listen to his speech. A littlun named Phil takes the conch after Piggy and states that he felt a big, nasty presence in the woods. Ralph tells Phil that it must have only been a dream. At this juncture, Simon reveals that he has forged his own retreat in the woods and admits that he goes there from time to time. Nonetheless, the boys seem engulfed by fear.

Percival then takes the conch, but as he begins his speech he is overcome with tears. Watching this, the other littluns also begin to cry. Maurice lightens the mood by purposefully falling over, which elicits laughs from the littluns.

Jack returns to the matter of the unknown beast. He does not hold the conch, but nobody in the group objects. He then grabs hold of Percival and asks him where the beast lives. Percival says the beast usually lives in the sea.

With the meeting on the verge of chaos, Ralph attempts to bring back a semblance of order, but it only results in a tussle for the conch. Meanwhile, the group wonders if the beast might be a ghost. Ralph is displeased to hear this and decides to take a vote about whether or not ghosts exist. Jack, however, continues to interrupt and contradict Ralph, who states that Jack’s disregard for the rules can set a dangerous precedent. Jack remains unperturbed and remarks. “Bollocks to the rules! We’re strong—we hunt!” In doing so, Jack manages to win over most of the group, except Piggy and Simon.

It is evident that the group views Jack as the better leader. Ralph’s leadership is further weakened by his uncertainty regarding the beast’s existence. Though Piggy tries to assure him that the beast does not exist, Ralph remains hesitant and hopes for a guiding sign from the adult world.

The chapter ends with a loud screeching noise of aerial warfare. The boys, however, mistake the noise for the noise of the unknown beast.