Chapter Five

Beast from Water (Pages 81- 102)

Plot
After a long walk along the beach, Ralph decides to call a meeting to attempt to bring the group back into line. Late in the evening, he blows the conch shell, and the boys gather on the beach.

At the meeting Ralph tells the boys that they haven't been following the rules as they don't help build shelters, don't gather water, neglect the fire signal and they don't use the designated toilet area. Ralph, Jack and Piggy agree that there is not beast but still a ripple of fear runs through the group nonetheless.

One of the littluns speaks up and claims that he has actually seen a beast. When the others press him and ask where it could hide during the daytime, he suggests that it might come up from the ocean at night. Fear rises again and the group go into chaos until Jack declares that he and his hunters will find and kill the beast. Ralph starts to doubt his leadership but Piggy and Simon reasure him.