Lord Of The Flies      -      Chapter Summary

Chapter 4:

In this chapter, Roger and Maurice demonstrate their inner cruelty by damaging the littleun’s sandcastles. Maurice feels guilty and starts forming an excuse as he would at home. Johnny also displays his inner cruelty by throwing more sand at Percival Wemyss Madison. Henry plays with some jellyfish and enjoys controlling them. Roger throws some stones near him but he doesn’t dare hit him for fear of adult repercussions.

Jack shows Roger his facepaint. The paint acts like a mask, hiding him from others and himself. The hunters form a line to catch a pig.

Piggy suggests some ideas to make their life more civilized but Ralph rejects it. A ship passes but doesn’t notice them as the hunters have let the fire go out. The hunters return with a pig on a stick, chanting, “Kill the big. Cut her throat. Spill her blood!”

Piggy confronts Jack and Jack punches him, and then slaps him, breaking his glasses. Then Piggy said, “I got to have them specs. Now I only got one eye, Jus’ you wait!” Ralph forces them to rebuild the fire. Jack won’t give Piggy any meat so Simon gives Piggy his meat. Jack gets angry and Ralph calls an assembly.

Many of the children still feel that if they get in trouble they will be punished. Piggy has been made an outsider from the big’uns thanks to Jack and his hatred of Piggy. Piggy’s view and everyone’s view is damaged when Piggy’s glasses are shattered and they find it harder to discern between right and wrong.