LOTF Perspective Writing - Chapter Six

Lord of the Flies
Chapter 6 - Beast from Air
"The Beast with No Trace"
Perspective: Ralph

I can’t help but feel that I am isolated form the rest of the boys on the island. All they do is run about and play foolish games, and the only production they ever make, and the only thing that is ever on their minds, is hunting. But sometimes I feel embroiled between feeling self-pity and chastising myself for my moments of anger towards the boys. At night, for example, when I hear them whimpering in their sleep form their nightmares. They will only get worst tonight, after Samneric told their account of what happened at the signal fire. They had rushed up to me and told me, and so I had foolishly called for a meeting. A beast with razor-sharp claws, that leaves no trace or tracks will certainly frighten the boys. I was also jumpy after they had replayed their experience, and I wished that I wasn’t the leader and I could follow diffidently behind someone else. I now realize that what I was really wishing for was a grown up.

Jack and I decided to go and hunt down the beast in a place we called Castle Rock, down by the end of the lagoon where Jack said he hadn’t searched before. It was so far the only thing we had agreed on in a long time. I let Jack lead the way towards the Castle Rock. I was still set on my ambition to have a break from being the chief. There are so many responsibilities, and no one person should have to carry them all. On the way, the boys were energetic and a bit fearful at the thought of going to the beast’s lair. Once we had proceeded to the rock I took charge. If everyone expected Jack to lead, he would. I still feel like I am the strongest leader, and I try to control the boys, but soon enough Jack will have the boy’s respect instead of mine.

On the rock, we found no sign of life except for the guano on the rocks. Jack and I climbed to the top and once there, above the flailing water, the boys saw us and scrambled upon the rocks. They started playing on the rocks, pushing boulders off the cliff, losing the purpose of the expedition. There was still a beast on the island and they were playing fort games? I had to remind them that we were nevertheless searching for the beast, and they mutinously obeyed.

Living on this island seems interminable. Will we ever get rescued?




In Chapter 5, Ralph asks for something grownup or sign. Later on in the beginning of Chapter Six, during when all the boys are sleeping there are planes battling over the island. An aviator attempts to parachute out of the plane, but is killed in the process. The wind drifts him over to the mountain on the island where the stranded boys are sleeping. He is thrown about on the rocks until he gets caught.