2. What points does Ralph make at the meeting?  What general point does he make that he wants people to discuss?  Why are these points so significant? 

He addresses the meeting with a serious tone, pointing out that it is not about making jokes. He lets them know that their way of escaping is through the fire, and it is very crucial for them. He admits his frustrations and fear, and assures everyone that there are no monsters or beasts on the island. This is significant because if Ralph loses credibility with the boys, the boys will join Jack, and in turn this could lead to the end of the island’s civilization.

3. What does Jack say in response to Ralph's comments?  Why do you think Ralph is shocked? 

As Ralph paused during his speech, Jack whispered something to Robert, but was ignored. When it seemed as though Ralph finished speaking, Jack made a scene and scowled at Ralph, and he tried to defend himself when Ralph directed his anger towards the hunters. Ralph was not done speaking, and he reminded Jack that he had the conch. Jack angrily sat down, and Ralph continued to address his concerns. 

When he was finished speaking, Jack took the conch and began to speak. He was talking about the beast with the little ones, telling them not to behave like babies and to stop being frightened. He tells them all they do is sit and complain about the “beast”, and continues to say there is no beast to be worried about. Ralph realizes that the beast is not something that can be hunted or killed, but is rather a fear instilled and created in the minds of children. He is likely shocked because he understands their fear, and has the sense that it is not wrong to be afraid. Yet, Jack was being very rude to them. Ralph realizes this as he matures. 

2.What does Sam and Eric's description of the beast tell us about human psychology? 

Both Sam and Eric carry unrealistic descriptions of what they witnessed. It went hand in hand with their fear of the beast. Their ideas of the "beast" were shown in their descriptions of what they saw. Instead of the description being accurate, they portrayed their own ideas onto the unknown figure. 

3. How does Ralph overcome Jack's challenge during the discussion about what to do about the beast? 

Ralph overcomes Jack’s challenge by gathering the boys and reminding them of the incident with the fire that happened earlier. Because of this, Jack was forced to go along and he was not given many options.

4. What significant thoughts does Simon have about the beast while the boys are walking to the “castle”? 

Simon has thoughts about the beast in relation to the boys. He suggests that perhaps they are the beast. Their fear was reflected through their thoughts. Although Piggy made the same observation, Simon’s thoughts about it were more in depth. He shows his wisdom, and in a way, is the answer to their fears of the "beast."

2.What does Simon say to Ralph that makes them both smile?  Think carefully about Simon's choice of words—do you think it foreshadows something that might happen later in the novel? 

Simon says Ralph will get home and he will be okay. Ralph makes a joke and asks Simon if he has a ship in his pocket. Throughout the novel, Simon shows his wisdom and makes prophecies. He is the author’s version of Jesus, and he goes around with a good heart and makes predictions about the future.

3. What disturbing thing do the group of hunters and Ralph do immediately after their encounter with the pig?  How is Ralph's behavior surprising?  What does this behavior foreshadow? 

After their encounter with the pig, they pick at Robert with their spears and pretend that he is the pig. They begin chanting to kill the pig and open his throat. Robert was distressed and he shouted at them to stop. Even Ralph wanted to get near. 

Finally, they do stop and leave Robert on the ground. Ralph’s surprising behavior shows that slowly by slowly, he too may become a “Jack” and a savage. As the story progresses, he may eventually become like the hunters and follow in their footsteps. 

3. Why do you think the biguns wait until the other boys are occupied to leave instead of supporting Jack's challenge during the meeting? 

The biguns likely waited to leave because they felt ashamed and embarrassed of Jack. When Ralph’s leadership and authority was questioned, the biguns expressed their feelings of shame towards Jack by not raising their hands. He tried to instill in them that Ralph was a coward who did not really care about them. He insults Ralph and constantly belittles him. They needed time to think about who their true leader was. Since a large portion of them were Jack’s hunters, they chose Jack as their leader. 

This was not good because instead of following in the more practical footsteps of getting rescued, they chose the path of hunting and fun. 

4. What unusual thing happens to Ralph after Jack leaves and after he realizes most of the biguns have left?  What is the significance of his reaction? 

Ralph is upset and disappointed that many of the biguns have disappeared and left. He feels abandoned, and tries to make himself feel better. He tries to justify that they always caused trouble. He sits down and takes time to reflect, not focusing on his environment but rather takes the time to ponder. He is very concerned, and the significance of his reaction is that he shows a lost sense of hope. 

He has a desire to be rescued, but at the same time, he starts to believe it might not happen. This represents one of the themes in the book. Ralph doubts his ability as a leader from the beginning, and starts to doubt other things. He did gain confidence when the boys voted for him, but his leadership introduced other challenges. This enforces a sense of questioning, and the fact that many of the biguns left made him question the situation more. 

7. What foolish decision does Jack make during the hunt, and why is it foolish? 

Jack leaves the pig, and it may attract another animal. It could attract flies, predators, scavengers, but it won’t make the beast go away.

2. Why does Jack command the boys to dance and chant, and why is this an effective leadership tactic? What psychological effect does dancing and chanting have on the boys? Think back to the effect that putting on makeup had on them in Chapter 4. 

The boys act more like animals and less like people. They follow tribal ways, and begin to form a tribe of their own with customs separate from other civilizations. Because of this, Jack appears more like an authority figure to them. His command makes them more likely to follow him, and maybe idolize him as their leader. 

This boosts jack’s confidence and ego. The increase in a sense of leadership may only lead to Jack becoming more powerful as time goes on, and things become sinister. The boys become irresponsible of their own actions as they further adapt this new mentality. 

3. What is the “beast” that the boys kill?  How is this event ironic and especially tragic (not only for the “beast,” but for everyone on the island)?  How is it symbolically significant? 

The “beast” that the boys kill is Simon. Simon’s appearance was frightening to the others, and it is symbolic because the “beast” is around them all. His character was a representation of the answer to their madness, and the answer to help them. This is ironic because they chose to take it out on Simon, but they did not realize the beast inside of themselves. The boys have become so fearful that they removed and destroyed their one hope.