Contents
CHAPTER TWO
Overview
Ralph formalizes rules, introduces the conch for orderly speech, and tries to balance fun with rescue by proposing a mountain signal fire. The boys recklessly ignite a blaze using Piggy’s glasses, which spreads out of control. Jack claims responsibility for tending the fire and lookouts, while Piggy’s call for order reveals a missing littlun, raising the story’s stakes and fear.
Summary
Ralph convenes an afternoon assembly, confirms the island is uninhabited, and establishes order with the conch granting the right to speak. Jack champions rules for hunting. A littlun with a mulberry birthmark claims a “beastie,” which Ralph denies while Jack promises to kill any snake if it exists, revealing a split between reassurance and bravado.
Seeking rescue, Ralph argues for a mountain signal fire. Excited, the boys race uphill, abandoning procedure. Lacking matches, Jack seizes Piggy’s glasses and Ralph uses them to ignite a large pile. The fire blazes impressively but with little smoke, exposing their inexperience and waste.
Ralph mandates dedicated fire-watchers and more rules. Jack agrees, assigning his hunters to maintain the fire and keep a lookout, asserting English discipline. As evening nears, hope wavers; Piggy, ignored and mocked, castigates the group for not building shelters or taking names, and for starting an impractical bonfire.
The neglected fire spreads into the forest below, becoming a dangerous, uncontrollable blaze. Awe replaces their earlier glee as they witness its power. Piggy presses the need for responsibility, highlighting that no headcount was kept and that the littlun with the birthmark is missing.
Confronted with the likely fatal consequence of their recklessness, the boys fall silent. Ralph, shamed, can only mutter a weak possibility that the child returned elsewhere, while the fire’s drum-roll continues below, signaling the first grave cost of their disorder.
Who Appears
- RalphChief; sets rules, prioritizes rescue, proposes signal fire, organizes watchers, but loses control as fire spreads.
- PiggyVoice of reason; insists on order and names, glasses used to light fire, highlights missing littlun.
- Jack MerridewHunter leader; eager for rules and hunting, commandeers Piggy’s glasses, volunteers hunters to maintain fire and lookout.
- Littlun with mulberry birthmarkSix-year-old who reports a ‘beastie’; later goes missing after the forest fire.
- SimonSupports Ralph; helps build the fire, mediates slightly, part of initial exploration trio.
- RogerSuggests primitive fire-making, voices doubt about rescue, joins fire efforts tersely.
- Sam and EricTwins who cleverly add dried leaves; later assigned to fire-watching under hunters.
- MauriceSuggests green branches for smoke; participates in fire-building and supports hunters’ plan.