In the seventh chapter of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, the boys are beginning to feel the effects of their descent into savagery and chaos. Chapter 7 is a pivotal moment in the novel, as it is the climax of the boys’ transition away from civilization and into a state of anarchy. The chapter begins with the boys in a state of fear and confusion, as they have been unable to establish themselves as a functioning society. In this chapter, Ralph and Piggy come to blows, Jack and his tribe become increasingly violent, and Simon attempts to bring the boys back to a sense of order.

The Conflict Between Ralph and Piggy

The chapter starts off with Piggy and Ralph arguing. Piggy is frustrated with Ralph’s failure to maintain order on the island and attempts to take control. Ralph, however, is determined to remain in charge and refuses to let Piggy take over. This leads to Piggy breaking down in tears and accusing Ralph of not caring about the other boys. Ralph attempts to calm down Piggy and reminds him that they are still working to maintain order.

The Beast and Its Impact on the Boys

The tension between Ralph and Piggy is eventually interrupted by the arrival of Jack and his tribe. Jack is still consumed by his search for the beast and is determined to sacrifice a pig in order to appease it. The other boys are terrified by Jack’s behavior and it furthers their descent into savagery. The boys’ fear of the beast is so great that they no longer feel safe in the presence of each other.

Simon’s Realization

In the midst of the chaos, Simon has a revelation. He realizes that the beast is not a physical entity, but rather a symbol of the evil within each of them. He attempts to tell the other boys, but they do not believe him and instead accuse him of being the beast. This leads to the boys attacking Simon and eventually killing him.

The Climax of the Chapter

The climax of the chapter occurs when Ralph and Piggy come to blows. Piggy attempts to reclaim the conch shell from Jack, who has stolen it in order to maintain control over the other boys. This leads to a fight between Ralph and Jack, with Piggy attempting to intervene. The fight is eventually broken up and Ralph is able to reclaim the conch shell.

The Aftermath

The aftermath of the battle is one of devastation. Piggy is killed by a rock thrown by Roger, and Simon’s body is left in the forest. The conch shell is destroyed and Jack’s tribe is in control. The boys are left in a state of fear and confusion, with no clear leader or sense of order.

The Impact of Chapter 7

Chapter 7 is a pivotal moment in Lord of the Flies as it serves as the climax of the boys’ descent into savagery. The chapter serves as a reminder of the power of fear and the chaos that can ensue when order is abandoned. It also serves as a warning of the consequences of allowing fear and violence to take control.

Conclusion

Chapter 7 of Lord of the Flies serves as an important reminder of the power of fear and the dangers of allowing it to take control. It is a pivotal point in the novel, as it marks the climax of the boys’ descent into savagery and chaos. The chapter is a powerful reminder of the consequences of allowing fear and violence to take control and serves as a warning of the dangers of abandoning order.