Lord Of Flies
...during a world war. There are no adult survivors. The boys are intelligent, well-to-do children–the sons of aristocratic families that run society and government–who had been evacuated from a battle zone. Under a hot sun, two older boys–one fat and clumsy and the other handsome and athletic–are on a beach getting acquainted as they discuss their plight. They are uncertain whether there are other survivors. The fat boy confides that his school chums call him Piggy, a nickname he despises. The other boy later introduces himself as Ralph. Ralph says his father will rescue them when he learns that their plane is missing, but Piggy rejects this possibility: “Didn’t you hear what the pilot said? About the atom bomb? They’re all dead.” While they get their bearings, Piggy continually urges Ralph to go with him to look for other survivors. But rather than taking this advice, Ralph goes swimming in a lagoon near a
slab of pink granite. There, he finds a conch about 18 inches long. Piggy recognizes it as a valuable find, telling Ralph that blowing into it will make a sound loud enough to be heard a long way off. If there are other survivors, they might come running.
.......Intrigued, Ralph tries it out and surprises himself at the deep, booming sound he produces. Within a short time, a small boy comes toward them. Then others arrive, including a group of choir singers led by a boy of superior bearing barking commands. His name is Jack Merridew. When the boys introduce themselves, Piggy pipes up, asking that a name be repeated. But Jack says, “You’re talking too much. Shut up, Fatty.” There is laughter all around. Meaning well but further embarrassing the fat boy, Ralph says, “He’s not Fatty, his real name’s Piggy.” There is more laughter, louder this time.
.......Using the rules of civilization taught at school, the boys assemble to choose a leader. Jack...
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