lord of the flies ch 10 summary

• Ralph: The elected leader, initially representing order and civilization. He struggles to maintain control as the boys descend into savagery.
• Jack: The charismatic choirboy who forms a rival tribe based on hunting and primal instincts. He represents the allure of power and the seductive nature of savagery.
• Piggy: The intellectual and overweight boy, representing reason and intellect. He is constantly marginalized and ultimately murdered.
• Simon: A shy, insightful boy who possesses a mystical connection to the island and its secrets. He represents spirituality and understanding but is tragically killed.
• Roger: A sadistic and inherently cruel boy who becomes a key enforcer in Jack’s tribe, embodying the unchecked capacity for violence.

Jack’s tribe has fully embraced their savage nature, exemplified by their painted faces, their bloodthirsty hunts, and their ritualistic dances. They are driven by the thrill of the hunt and the power it bestows upon them. This stands in stark contrast to Ralph’s attempts to maintain some semblance of order and civilized behavior. However, his efforts are increasingly futile as fear and desperation grip his dwindling followers.

The climactic event of Chapter 10 is the brutal murder of Piggy. This act is not a spur-of-the-moment attack but a calculated and deliberate decision, stemming from Jack’s growing power and the boys’ complete abandonment of reason. The shattering of Piggy’s spectacles, symbolic of the loss of intellectualism and reason, is a powerful moment that showcases the triumph of savagery over civilization. Piggy’s death serves as a critical turning point and a symbolic end to any remaining hope of rescue or redemption for the boys. The rock that crushes Piggy and his intellectualism falls on the island’s remaining vestiges of civilization, leaving only savagery in its wake. The chapter ends with Jack’s triumphant yet terrifying dominance, illustrating the full potential for darkness within human nature. His reign is now absolute, and the boys who remain loyal to Ralph are deeply afraid. The island itself seems to transform, resonating with the growing darkness, foreshadowing further violence and the inevitable destruction.

This chapter is not merely a depiction of violence; it’s a poignant commentary on the fragility of civilization and the ease with which it can be replaced by primal instincts. The boys’ descent is not just a physical one but a moral one, highlighting Golding’s chilling exploration of human nature. The chapter ends with the boys’ hope of rescue fading as the darkness of human nature takes over and completely consumes them. It leaves the reader pondering what is essential for human civilization, especially in such an extreme and desperate environment. It highlights the importance of reason and the potentially catastrophic consequences of succumbing to unchecked primal desires.

• Civilization vs. Savagery: The central conflict of the novel, vividly illustrated in the boys’ gradual descent from structured society to primal instincts.
• Loss of Innocence: The boys’ journey exposes the brutal reality of human nature and the loss of their innocence as they embrace violence and savagery.
• The Nature of Evil: Golding suggests that evil is not an external force but an inherent part of human nature, capable of manifesting even in seemingly innocent young boys.
• Power and Authority: The struggle for power between Ralph and Jack reflects the corrupting influence of unchecked power and the seductive nature of authority.
• The Failure of Reason: Piggy’s demise symbolizes the ultimate triumph of brute force and instinct over reason and intellect.