During an unnamed time of war, a plane carrying a group of British school boys is shot down over the pacific. Many of the boys survive the crash and find themselves on an inhabitant island. The first two boys introduced are the main characters of the story: Ralph, is among the oldest of the boy, handsome and confident, while Piggy, as he derisively called, is a pudgy asthmatic boy with glasses. The two go to the beach where they find a conch shell, which Ralph blows to rally the other survivors. As they emerge from the jungle, it becomes clear that no adults have escaped the crash. Singing is than heard and a small column of school choir boys, wearing dark cloaks and hats and led by a boy named Jack Marridew, walk toward their direction. The boys decide to appoint a chief. That vote goes to Ralph, not Jack. Initially, Ralph is able to steer the boys (all of whom are aged between about six and fourteen) towards a reasonably civilized and cooperative society. Only the boy conch is allowed to speak turns during meetings or assemblies. The choir boys make wooden spears, creating the appearance that they are warriors within the group. Crucially Jack has a knife, capable of killing an animal. …show more content…
With no rescue in sight, the increasing authoritarian and violence-prone Jack starts hunting and eventually finds a pig. Meanwhile, the fire, for which he and his hunters are responsible, goes out, losing their chance of being spotted from passing a airplane. Piggy chastises Jack, and Jack strikes him in retaliation, knocking his glasses off, and breaking one lens. Ralph is furious with Jack. Soon some of the boys begin to talk of a beast that comes from the water. Jack, obsessed with his imagined threat, leaves the group to start a new tribe, one without rules, where the boys play and hunt all day. Soon, more follow until only a few, including Piggy, are left with