The Beast Rumor

Lord of the Flies

This flow traces how an uncertain childhood fear grows into a shared explanation that governs the boys' choices.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Child's Report A Child's Report from "Lord of the Flies". A Beast in The Forest A young boy describes a snake-like beast that appeared to him in the dark and asks whether it will return.

A Child's Report from "Lord of the Flies". A Beast in The Forest A young boy describes a snake-like beast that appeared to him in the dark and asks whether it will return.

A Beast in The Forest A young boy describes a snake-like beast that appeared to him in the dark and asks whether it will return. Fear Gets a Name Ralph dismisses the report as a nightmare, but the littluns' terror does not disappear with his explanation. The rumor gives the island's ordinary darkness a threatening identity.

Fear Enters Discussion Fear Enters Discussion from "Lord of the Flies". A Fearful Assembly More boys describe dreams and possible creatures, while Jack Merridew insists no beast exists in The forest.

Fear Enters Discussion from "Lord of the Flies". A Fearful Assembly More boys describe dreams and possible creatures, while Jack Merridew insists no beast exists in The forest.

A Fearful Assembly More boys describe dreams and possible creatures, while Jack Merridew insists no beast exists in The forest. Doubt Spreads Simon suggests that the beast may be something within the boys themselves, but the gathering laughs him down. The group can neither verify nor safely dismiss what frightens it.

A Shadow on The Mountain A Shadow on The Mountain from "Lord of the Flies". The Parachutist Mistaken Sam and Eric see the parachutist moving in the wind and flee, believing they have encountered the beast.

A Shadow on The Mountain from "Lord of the Flies". The Parachutist Mistaken Sam and Eric see the parachutist moving in the wind and flee, believing they have encountered the beast.

The Parachutist Mistaken Sam and Eric see the parachutist moving in the wind and flee, believing they have encountered the beast. Terror Gains Evidence Their sincere account makes a vague rumor feel like a witnessed fact. The boys' fear now shapes an expedition, although its supposed creature is a dead human figure.

The Beast Is Worshipped The Beast Is Worshipped from "Lord of the Flies". A Gift to The Beast Jack Merridew's hunters leave the sow's head on a stick as an offering to the creature they fear.

The Beast Is Worshipped from "Lord of the Flies". A Gift to The Beast Jack Merridew's hunters leave the sow's head on a stick as an offering to the creature they fear.

A Gift to The Beast Jack Merridew's hunters leave the sow's head on a stick as an offering to the creature they fear. Fear Becomes Ritual The offering does not protect the boys, but it gives their dread a repeated ceremony. Simon encounters the head alone and recognizes the violence that the group has projected outward.

The Rumor Turns Deadly The Rumor Turns Deadly from "Lord of the Flies". A Living Boy Called Beast Simon emerges from The forest carrying news that the figure on The mountain is a dead parachutist, but the dancing crowd attacks him.

The Rumor Turns Deadly from "Lord of the Flies". A Living Boy Called Beast Simon emerges from The forest carrying news that the figure on The mountain is a dead parachutist, but the dancing crowd attacks him.

A Living Boy Called Beast Simon emerges from The forest carrying news that the figure on The mountain is a dead parachutist, but the dancing crowd attacks him. Fear Refuses Truth The boys mistake the truth-teller for the feared creature. Their panic proves more lethal than the imagined beast and fulfills Simon's insight about human violence.

The first assembly, before the first signal fire

Several days later, during the assembly about rules and fear

One night, after the signal fire has been restored

After Jack Merridew forms his tribe and kills the sow

During the storm, shortly before Simon's death