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Plot summary - EdexcelDetailed plot summary - killing and pursuing

Lord of the Flies by William Golding looks at the dark side of humanity as a group of boys turn against one another in the face of an imagined enemy.

Part of English LiteratureLord of the Flies

Detailed plot summary - killing and pursuing

Killing

Simon regains consciousness, investigates the dead parachutist and, realising what it is, sets off to tell the others that there is nothing to fear. A storm begins as a weary and weakened Simon returns. Back at the beach, another ritual dance has begun - the noise from this and the storm is deafening. In the darkness, Simon crawls into the group and tries to tell them what he has seen but it is too late. The boys have lost all control and thinking he is the Beast, they kill Simon - even Ralph and Piggy are involved. That night, Simon's body is carried out to sea.

The group of playful schoolboys soon turn into savage hunters
Image caption,
The group of playful schoolboys soon turn into savage hunters

The following morning, the boys have to deal with their guilt. Most of them have now joined Jack's tribe even though he is becoming an increasingly vicious dictator. Jack again raids Ralph's group - this time to steal Piggy's glasses so he will always have a means of making fire. What remains of Ralph's group go to Jack to demand the return of Piggy's glasses. Sam and Eric are taken prisoner and Piggy is killed when Roger pushes a rock down on top of him. Like Simon, his body is also washed away.

Pursuing

A triumphant Jack turns on Ralph and wounds him with a spear. Ralph runs for his life to hide in the forest and a manhunt begins. In an attempt to smoke Ralph out, Jack starts another huge blaze which soon covers the entire island. An exhausted Ralph makes it back to the beach where he falls at the feet of a naval officer - his passing ship had spotted the fire. Ralph is rescued from certain death but he will never forget the terrible things he has seen and the friends he has lost.