Chapter 7
by testsuphomeAdminChapter 7: In Lord of the Flies, Chapter 7, Ralph follows Jack through a narrow pig-run, tracing the rocky coastline as the afternoon heat bears down on them. Ralph, uncomfortable and dirty from the harsh environment, reflects on how much he has changed since being stranded on the island. The discomfort of the heat and the grime on his body serve as a reminder of how far the boys have strayed from their previous lives. The familiarity of these conditions has led him to accept the filth as a new normal, which is evident as he looks at the others around him. Looking out towards the sea, Ralph experiences a deep sense of isolation, contrasted sharply with the memories of home—a place filled with comfort and safety, now a distant and unreachable concept.
Ralph is abruptly drawn from his thoughts when Simon approaches, offering some comfort by speaking of the possibility of returning home. Ralph, however, dismisses Simon’s words with sarcasm, stating that he doesn’t believe in the hope of ships coming. Despite this, Simon’s words create a brief moment of connection between the two, where they exchange a smile, recognizing that, despite the chaos surrounding them, there is still some mutual understanding. As Ralph and Simon share this moment, Jack, still fixated on the hunt, leads the group to fresh pig droppings, stirring their excitement and determination. The hunt is no longer just about survival but about the primal urge to dominate and overcome the fear of the unknown, represented by the elusive pig they are chasing.
Jack’s influence grows stronger as he leads the hunt with increasing confidence, while Ralph remains distracted by thoughts of his past, now seeming far away. These memories of warmth and safety feel unreachable, as the group’s behavior becomes more chaotic and disconnected from the civilized world they once knew. The mood of the group shifts from a simple hunting mission to an intense chase after a wild boar. Ralph, caught up in the thrill, successfully strikes the boar with a spear, feeling a mix of pride and fear. The boys’ reactions to the kill stir both exhilaration and discomfort, and Ralph grapples with the realization that their playful activities have begun to turn darker. Their descent into savagery is marked by their violent behavior, as they celebrate the hunt and the fear that drives them to kill.
As the group continues to engage in their hunting rituals, the lines between play and real violence blur. In a disturbing moment of mimicry, Ralph and the others nearly injure Robert, showcasing how easily their playful behavior transforms into genuine aggression. Though Ralph feels uneasy about the growing violence, he cannot resist the rush of excitement and adrenaline that surges through the group. The boys, who once played together innocently, now embrace their savagery with increasing fervor, leaving their former identities and innocence behind. The thrill of the hunt and the chaotic energy of the group become the driving forces, overwhelming any sense of remorse or hesitation Ralph may have had. The once-clear division between right and wrong becomes clouded, and Ralph finds himself struggling to hold onto the remnants of the civilization he once believed in.
Later, as the boys prepare to climb the mountain to search for the so-called beast, the tension between Ralph and Jack becomes more apparent. Fear grips the group as they set out, but Jack’s challenge to Ralph’s leadership brings their rivalry to a boiling point. Ralph, still clinging to the hope of being rescued and returning to civilization, feels the weight of their current situation. Jack, on the other hand, embraces the savagery and power he has gained over the group. As the boys ascend the mountain, the darkness of the night mirrors the growing uncertainty and fear within Ralph. The mountain climb represents not just their search for the beast but also Ralph’s internal struggle between maintaining his leadership and accepting the brutal reality of their circumstances. The chapter concludes with the boys confronting the unknown, both the physical dangers on the island and the emotional turmoil each one is facing. The division between Ralph’s dwindling hope for rescue and Jack’s complete surrender to savagery becomes the central theme of this chapter.
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