1. Ralph undergoes an important change in character in Chapter 5 as he realizes he must take his role as chief more seriously to ensure the boys' survival on the island. 2. Previously childish, Ralph now speaks forcefully at an assembly, taking control and reminding the boys of the importance of organization. 3. The chapter reveals Ralph beginning to appreciate Piggy's logical thinking and shows his growing frustration with the lack of progress on key tasks like maintaining the fire and shelters.

1. Symbolic events in Chapter 4
1. Jack is proud that
he killed a pig and
What is the symbolic
is excited by the
amount of blood significance of these events?
there was What are they suggesting
2. Ralph is bitter and
to the reader?
angry that they How are characters going
missed a chance to change?
of being rescued.
3. Piggy’s glasses are Write a paragraph about
broken by Jack each event and explain
hitting him. what they signify for
the future on the island.

2. ‘Lord of the Flies’
by William Golding:
Chapter 5
Lesson Objectives:
• to make comparisons
between chapters
• to analyse language and
consider its effects

3. Chapter 5: Beast from Water
 Ralph remembers a more innocent time on the island,
when they went exploring.
 He realises it is time to be serious and realistic – he
cannot play at being a grown-up any more.
 He reflects how his tattered uniform and long hair
show how far ‘standards’ have slipped on the island.
 He begins to appreciate Piggy and his logical way of
thinking.
 At a meeting, he gets angry and takes control, the
other boys are surprised by the change in him.
 Ralph reminds the boys of the need to be organised and
how important the fire, water and shelters are to their
survival.
 He acknowledges that some of the boys are frightened
and says that they must talk about it if they are to deal
with it.

4. The opening of chapter 5
The tide was coming in and there was only a narrow strip of firm
beach between the water and the white, stumbling stuff near the palm
trees. Ralph chose the firm strip as a path because he needed to
think; and only here could he allow his feet to move without having to
watch them. Suddenly, pacing by the water, he was overcome with
astonishment. He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of his
life, where every path was an improvisation and a considerable part of
one’s waking life was spent watching one’s feet. He stopped, facing the
strip; and remembering that first enthusiastic exploration as though it
were part of a brighter childhood, he smiled jeeringly. He turned and
then walked back towards the platform with the sun in his face. The
time had come for the assembly and as he walked into the concealing
splendours of the sunlight he went carefully over the points of his
speech. There must be no mistake about this assembly, no chasing the
imaginary . . . .
He lost himself in a maze of thoughts that were rendered vague by
his lack of words to express them. Frowning, he tried again.
This meeting must not be fun, but business.

5. What does this reveal about
Ralph’s character?
 This chapter represents an important turning point in
Ralph’s character.
 If you got a question about Ralph’s character in the
novel, you would be expected to comment on the
changes in him and what triggered those changes.
 In order to succeed at this type of question, you must
…
 Show understanding of what he was like at the beginning
 What caused him to change
 What he was like at the end
 Forthe purposes of today's lesson, we will focus on
what he was like at the beginning and what causes him
to change

6. The change in Ralph’s character
 Ralph in Chapter 1  Ralph in Chapter 5
 Childish – he runs 
around like a 
fighter jet
 “fair hair” 
 “bright excited 
eyes” 
 Reluctant to be
leader – but the
boys listen to him “You voted me for
 Rude to Piggy chief. Now you do
what I say.”

7. Treatment of the Littluns
 Ralph tries to rationalise what the Littluns are scared of
and how they can deal with it …
“We’ve got to talk about this fear and decide there’s nothing in it. I’m
frightened myself, sometimes; only that’s nonsense! Like bogies. Then,
when we’ve decided, we can start again and be careful about things like the
 Jack has a different view …
fire … and be happy.”
“You littluns started all this with the fear talk. Beasts! Where from? Of
course we’re frightened sometimes but we put up with being frightened.
Only Ralph says you scream in the night. What does that mean but
nightmares? Anyway, you don’t hunt or build or help – you’re a lot of cry-
babies and sissies. That’s what. And as for the fear – you’ll have to put up
with that like the rest of us… The thing is – fear can't hurt you any more
than a dream. There aren’t any beasts to be afraid of on this island …
Serve you right if something did get you, you useless lot of cry-babies! But
there is no animal –”

8. “We’ve got to talk about this fear and decide there’s
nothing in it. I’m frightened myself, sometimes; only
that’s nonsense! Like bogies. Then, when we’ve decided,
we can start again and be careful about things like the fire
… and be happy.”
 What can you say about this speech?
 Do you think it will work on the Littluns?

9. “You littluns started all this with the fear talk. Beasts! Where from?
Of course we’re frightened sometimes but we put up with being
frightened. Only Ralph says you scream in the night. What does that
mean but nightmares? Anyway, you don’t hunt or build or help –
you’re a lot of cry-babies and sissies. That’s what. And as for the fear
– you’ll have to put up with that like the rest of us… The thing is – fear
can't hurt you any more than a dream. There aren’t any beasts to be
afraid of on this island … Serve you right if something did get you,
you useless lot of cry-babies! But there is no animal –”
 How does Jack’s speech differ from
Ralph’s?
 Do you think his speech will have more or
less impact on the Littluns?
 Which speech do you think is most
powerful? Why?

10. “You littluns started all this with the fear talk. Beasts! Where from?
Of course we’re frightened sometimes but we put up with being
frightened. Only Ralph says you scream in the night. What does that
mean but nightmares? Anyway, you don’t hunt or build or help –
you’re a lot of cry-babies and sissies. That’s what. And as for the fear
– you’ll have to put up with that like the rest of us… The thing is – fear
can't hurt you any more than a dream. There aren’t any beasts to be
afraid of on this island … Serve you right if something did get you,
you useless lot of cry-babies! But there is no animal –”
 How does Jack’s speech differ from
Ralph’s?
 Do you think his speech will have more or
less impact on the Littluns?
 Which speech do you think is most
powerful? Why?