What happens in Chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies? Chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies is a key moment where tension rises between the boys as they struggle to balance survival and rescue. In this article, we’ll look at the major events in this chapter and how they reveal growing conflicts, especially between Ralph and Jack.
What happens in Chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies?
The boys settle into daily routines in Chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies, but tensions between Ralph and Jack grow. While Ralph is sunbathing, he spots a ship passing by the island and rushes to check the signal fire, hoping the smoke will attract rescuers. However, he discovers that the fire has gone out because Jack took all the hunters away to chase a pig.
Ralph is furious, as this missed opportunity could have meant their rescue. He tells Jack:
“There was a ship. Out there. You said you’d keep the fire going and you let it out!”
Jack returns triumphantly with a freshly killed pig, but Ralph is more focused on what they’ve lost than on celebrating. The tension escalates when Jack hits Piggy for speaking up, breaking one lens of Piggy’s glasses in the process. Golding writes:
“Jack smacked Piggy’s head. Piggy’s glasses flew off and tinkled on the rocks.”
This chapter shows the growing divide between Ralph’s desire for order and rescue and Jack’s increasing focus on hunting and violence. The missed rescue chance and growing cruelty set the stage for greater conflict among the boys.
What happens to Piggy’s glasses in chapter 4?
In Chapter 4, Jack slaps Piggy hard and breaks one of the lenses of his glasses.
What did Jack do in Chapter 4?
In Chapter 4, Jack becomes obsessed with killing a pig. He paints his face with clay and charcoal for camouflage and goes into the jungle to hunt with other boys.
What does Maurice pretend to be in Chapter 4?
In Chapter 4, Maurice pretends to be a pig while the other boys pretend to attack him.
Who is Percival and what happened to him in Chapter 4?
Percival is one of the younger boys in Lord of the Flies. In Chapter 4, he has a mental breakdown, stays in a shelter for two days, sings, cries out, and dreams about the beastie.
How are things changing on the island in Chapter 4?
In Chapter 4, life on the island starts to follow a daily routine. Mornings are pleasant and the boys play happily, but by afternoon it gets very hot, and some boys nap or see strange images over the water.
How does Jack treat Piggy in Chapter 4?
In Chapter 4, Jack treats Piggy badly by punching, slapping, and mocking him. The other boys don’t seem to care, except Simon, who shows some sympathy for Piggy.
What does Simon do in Chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies?
In Chapter 4, Simon shows kindness by sharing his meat with Piggy after Jack refuses to give Piggy any. He is generous and stays out of conflicts with the other boys.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chapter 4 shows the growing conflict between Ralph and Jack. Ralph is upset they missed a chance to be rescued because the fire went out, and he’s disturbed by how violent Jack is becoming, especially when Jack hits Piggy. This chapter marks a turning point as order starts to break down among the boys.