Chapters 10-12 Analysis

Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses

1. Summary: What Happens?

• Ralph and Piggy struggle with Simon's death, trying to convince themselves it was an accident.
• Jack now rules over Castle Rock, acting like a dictator.
• Jack orders his hunters to punish Wilfred for no reason, showing his growing cruelty.
• Ralph's group, now small and weak, realise they cannot make fire without Piggy's glasses.
• Jack's tribe attacks Ralph's camp at night and steals Piggy's glasses, leaving him nearly blind.

2. Themes

• Guilt and Denial
  • Ralph and Piggy try to excuse Simon's murder, unable to face their own involvement.

"I'm frightened. Of us."

• Tyranny vs. Democracy
  • Jack now rules with violence and fear.

"He's going to beat Wilfred… He got angry and made us tie Wilfred up. He's been… he's been tied for hours."

• The Destruction of Intelligence
  • Piggy's glasses are stolen, symbolising the end of logic and reason on the island.

3. Symbols

• Piggy's Glasses – Symbolise knowledge and vision; stealing them shows Jack's complete rejection of reason.
• Castle Rock – Represents savagery, violence, and totalitarian rule.

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Chapter 11: Castle Rock

1. Summary: What Happens?

• Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric go to Castle Rock to demand Piggy's glasses back.
• Jack and Ralph fight, showing their final power struggle.
• Roger rolls a massive boulder, killing Piggy and shattering the conch.
• The conch is destroyed, symbolising the end of order and civilisation.
• Jack forces Samneric to join his tribe, using violence and threats.

2. Themes

• The End of Civilisation
  • Piggy's death and the broken conch show that all rules and order are gone.

"The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow… Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea."

• Absolute Power and Violence
  • Jack has completely taken over, ruling through fear and punishment.
• Loss of Identity
  • Samneric are forced to join the tribe, showing that resistance is no longer an option.

3. Symbols

• The Conch – Destroyed, marking the death of democracy and civilisation.
• Piggy – Represents intellect and order; his death shows savagery has won.
• Castle Rock – Now a place of death and dictatorship.

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Chapter 12: Cry of the Hunters

1. Summary: What Happens?

• Ralph is now alone, hiding from Jack's tribe.
• Samneric secretly warn him that Jack plans to hunt him down.
• Jack sets the island on fire to flush Ralph out.
• Ralph runs for his life, eventually reaching the beach, where he collapses.
• A naval officer arrives, rescuing the boys.
• The boys break down in tears, realising what they have become.

2. Themes

• The Complete Fall into Savagery
  • Jack's hunt for Ralph shows how far they have fallen.

"They hate you, Ralph. They're going to do you."

• Irony of Rescue
  • The fire meant to kill Ralph ends up saving them all.

"What have you been doing? Having a war or something?"

• Loss of Innocence
  • The boys cry at the end, realising they have lost their childhood innocence forever.

"Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy."

3. Symbols

• The Fire – Represents destruction, but also salvation.
• The Officer – A symbol of civilisation, but also a reminder that the real world is at war too.

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