Chapter One Lord of the Flies

Chapter Summary Ralph and Piggy find one another and introduce themselves We learn that in the midst of a war a plane carrying a group of boys was shot down. It crashes on an island and the survivors have been scattered Ralph and Piggy discover a conch shell and Piggy convinces Ralph to blow through it. The sound summons the other boys. Eventually a large group of boys ranging from the ages of 6-12 appear on the beach. A group of choir boys emerge with their strict leader named Jack The boys decide to elect a leader and Ralph is chosen although it is obvious Jack wants to be leader - to appease Jack, Ralph asks him to lead the choir boys as the “hunters”

Chapter summary Ralph chooses Jack and a choir boy named Simon to explore the island, ignoring Piggy’s pleas to be chosen. The three boys excitedly explore while feeling a bond connecting them. The boys reach the other end realizing they are completely alone with no adult supervision. While journeying back to the beach, the boys find a pig caught in vines. Jack draws his knife to kill the pig, but hesitates, and is unable to bring himself to killing. The pig gets away. Jack promises that he will not allow the opportunity to escape him again. Eventually the boys emerge from the jungle and find the group of boys waiting on the beach.

Characters Ralph Jack Piggy Simon Elected leader, protagonist Choir leader, antagonist, appointed lead hunter Piggy Whiny, intellectual Simon Shy, sensitive, choir boy

Setting Deserted tropical island in the South Pacific Beach Lagoon Jungle

Symbols from chapter one Young boys on island Symbolizes children’s preadolescent stage of life and innocence in all children Children with no adults Symbolizes how children behave without any rules or consequences – Foreshadows events to come Piggy Represents intellectual and scientific members of society – behavior and glasses Conch shell Represents law, order, and political stability – the children hear it blown and come to the beach