It is evident that Ralph wants as much order as possible within the group and therefore a system of speaking should be established; ‘We can’t have everyone talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school’. It is decided that whoever has the conch is allowed to speak. It is pointed out that although Ralph is being sensible he is also remembering civility and is trying to incorporate it into the island. Ralph and Piggy see the conch as very important and powerful and consequently it is used in a positive way to aid the group. From reading the passage one can tell that Ralph, Piggy and Jack have the most power and are looked up to by the group. They, especially, Ralph have done very much to ensure that the bys have a positive view on their stay on the island. Also that the important jobs like hunting are dealt with. They make that fact that they are stranded on island into a game and compare it with books.
‘It’s a wizard’. Ralph uses this expression pertly because it is part of his schoolboy slang but also because it encourages the other boys to become excited and pleased to be on the island. In my opinion this is a very clever tactic to make sure the boys don’t worry about not being rescued. ‘While we’re waiting we’ll have a good time on this island. It’s like a book. Treasure Island, Swallows and Amazons, Coral Island’.
Ralph gives the boys something to dream about and with this he raises their hopes of being rescued.
When the boy with the ‘mulberry-coloured birthmark’ spoke to the group it indicated that, even though he was laughed at, he was still listened to and so would have anyone else. This shows fairness among the boys and that everyone will have their say.
When reading the passage the first problem that I am made aware of is the fact that they boys, who until now have been naked, have become sun burnt. This symbolizes that the island, even from the very beginning, has never fully been on their side and that they are not at home on it. The island has hurt them; ‘Feeling too late the smart of the sunburn, had put their clothes on’.
The boys are naïve to the ways of the island and have been made to suffer because of it. The fact that they put on their clothes indicates that they still need that small feeling of civility. Considering that they are still in need of this one would think that to stay on the island would be a very difficult task to complete.
It becomes evident early on in the passage that Ralph is the leader of the group. He is in charge of how the boys will survive on the island. With the knowledge of this, it seems slightly negative that Ralph is quite uncertain about his duties and how he should carry them out. ‘He was uncertain whether to stand up or remain sitting. He looked sideways to his left. Piggy was sitting near but gave no help’.
This quote tells us that he needs and very much wants reassurance. This may become a greater issue as time goes on and when he faces much larger, more testing situations in the future.
From the passage one learns that Jack has an obsession with hunting and killing as well as a great temper; ‘An army—for hunting. Hunting pigs—‘.
‘It broke away before I could kill it—but next time!’
‘Jack slammed his knife into a trunk and looked round challengingly’. He also has something that makes him a treat to the other boys; a knife. When putting all these things together you get a child who has done and will continue to cause problems on the island. The fact that Jack seems to want power but doesn’t have it may cause additions problems for the group.
The conch seems to be a key item on the island. It is used throughout the passage as a way to keep order in the group. It has a lot of power, perhaps to much power. In the passage the conch is always with either Ralph or Piggy, except for when some other boys speak during the meeting. It, however, the conch was taken by another member of the group it could be used against everyone else. The conch has been labelled as such an important and powerful object and while safely with Ralph and Piggy it is harmless but when in the hands of someone else it could be used to gain power and in a very dangerous manor.
As a result of Piggy’s speech the group are all shocked by the extremity of their situation; ‘The silent was so complete that they could hear the fetch and miss of Piggy’s breathing’.
To ease the tension and to raise spirits Ralph tell the group that they are on an adventure on a ‘good island’. He also compares it to books. This can be interpreted in two ways. It can be a positive move forward because he is giving them some excitement as well as taking their minds of their situation. On the other hand Ralph could be making the boys realise the reality of the circumstances. This could be a major problem later on because it will constantly be plaguing their minds.
When considering the passage as a whole I can conclude that the boys have made a very positive start to their stay on the island. They have acted like adults but also as children. I think this is a very suitable combination under the circumstances. However they have also triggered off some problems that could expand greatly in the future.