What is the falling action of Lord of the Flies? If you’re studying the plot of Lord of the Flies, understanding the falling action is important for seeing how the story moves toward its conclusion. The falling action is where the tension reaches its highest point and we see the consequences of the boys’ choices on the island. In this article, we’ll break down what happens during the falling action of Lord of the Flies and why it matters to the overall story.
What is the falling action of Lord of the Flies?
The falling action of Lord of the Flies occurs after the boys kill Piggy and destroy the conch shell, which represents the total collapse of order on the island. At this point, almost all the boys have abandoned Ralph and have descended fully into savagery and chaos with Jack’s tribe. Golding describes the moment: “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” After this, Ralph is left alone and hunted by the other boys. The tension reaches its peak as Ralph flees for his life through the jungle until he finally stumbles onto the beach and encounters the naval officer, bringing the story’s chaos to an abrupt end.
What is the rising action of Lord of the Flies?
The rising action of Lord of the Flies starts when Ralph and Piggy find the conch shell and use it to call all the boys together for their first meeting. During this meeting, they discuss how they’ll survive and decide to elect a leader. Ralph is chosen as chief, which immediately sparks tension between him and Jack. From this point on, the conflict between Ralph and Jack grows, and the boys’ attempts to create order set the stage for the struggles that follow.
What is the exposition of Lord of the Flies?
The exposition of Lord of the Flies is the beginning of the novel, where we are introduced to the main characters—like Ralph, Piggy, and Jack—and learn that a group of British boys have crash-landed on a deserted island during a war. The opening chapters set the scene, describe the island, and show how the boys try to organize themselves and create rules in hopes of being rescued. This part of the story lays the groundwork for everything that follows.
What is the inciting incident of Lord of the Flies?
The inciting incident of Lord of the Flies is when the boys’ plane crash lands on the deserted island. This event leaves them stranded without any adults, forcing them to take charge of their own survival and set up their own society, which leads to all the challenges and conflicts in the story.
What is the resolution of Lord of the Flies?
The resolution of Lord of the Flies comes at the very end when a naval officer finds the boys and rescues them from the island. As the officer turns away, the children break down in tears, finally processing everything they’ve been through. In this moment, Ralph symbolically becomes the leader again as the boys prepare to leave the island and return to society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the falling action of Lord of the Flies takes place when nearly all the boys abandon Ralph and Piggy, giving in to savagery and chaos. When the conch is destroyed and Piggy dies, all order is lost on the island. This leads to chaos and a fight to survive until the boys are rescued. This part of the story powerfully shows how quickly civilization can break down when fear and violence take over.