Lord of the Flies: Chapter Summaries
Track the boys' descent from civilization to savagery through all 12 chapters.
Chapters 1-3: Establishing Order
Boys crash-land on island. Ralph and Piggy find conch. Ralph elected chief. They explore island, light signal fire, establish rules and assemblies. Jack focuses on hunting. Early signs of conflict between rescue (Ralph) and hunting (Jack).
Key Events:
- •Conch found
- •Ralph elected chief
- •Signal fire lit
- •First hunt
- •Assemblies established
Chapters 4-6: Civilization Weakening
Jack lets fire die to hunt, missing rescue ship. First kill of pig brings euphoria. Boys claim to see beast on mountain. Fear spreads. Jack challenges Ralph's authority more openly.
Key Events:
- •Fire dies, ship passes
- •First pig killed
- •Beast sighted
- •Jack challenges Ralph
- •Fear takes hold
Chapters 7-9: Descent into Savagery
Simon discovers beast is dead parachutist. Jack splits from Ralph, forms own tribe. Boys join Jack for feast and hunting. During storm and ritual, boys murder Simon, mistaking him for beast. Point of no return.
Key Events:
- •Simon finds parachutist
- •Jack forms own tribe
- •Boys defect to Jack
- •Simon murdered
- •Savagery complete
Chapters 10-12: Complete Breakdown & Rescue
Jack's tribe steals Piggy's glasses for fire. Ralph and Piggy confront them. Roger kills Piggy and destroys conch. Jack's tribe hunts Ralph to kill him. Ralph flees to beach where naval officer arrives for rescue.
Key Events:
- •Glasses stolen
- •Castle Rock confrontation
- •Piggy and conch destroyed
- •Hunt for Ralph
- •Officer arrives
- •Rescue