From Crash to Island Society

Lord of the Flies

This flow follows the boys from their wartime crash through the creation and eventual destruction of their island society.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Crash

A Violent Arrival The plane crash leaves Ralph and Piggy among broken trees on The island, with no adult immediately present. An Uncertain Situation The boys gradually understand that they are stranded and that the aircraft has been destroyed. Their isolation turns a frightening accident into a test of self-government.

The Conch Call The Conch Call from "Lord of the Flies". A Call Across The Island Ralph blows The conch, which Piggy recognizes as a means of summoning the scattered boys.

The Conch Call from "Lord of the Flies". A Call Across The Island Ralph blows The conch, which Piggy recognizes as a means of summoning the scattered boys.

A Call Across The Island Ralph blows The conch, which Piggy recognizes as a means of summoning the scattered boys. A Shared Beginning The call gathers children from across The beach and gives their first meeting a visible center. A practical signal begins to acquire authority because the group accepts it.

Ralph's Election Ralph's Election from "Lord of the Flies". A Chosen Chief The boys elect Ralph, whose calm bearing and connection with The conch distinguish him from Jack Merridew.

Ralph's Election from "Lord of the Flies". A Chosen Chief The boys elect Ralph, whose calm bearing and connection with The conch distinguish him from Jack Merridew.

A Chosen Chief The boys elect Ralph, whose calm bearing and connection with The conch distinguish him from Jack Merridew. Authority With Limits Ralph assigns Jack Merridew responsibility for the choir and hunters, attempting to combine popular choice with practical roles. The arrangement contains rivalry from its beginning.

The Rescue Fire The Rescue Fire from "Lord of the Flies". Smoke as a Plan Ralph urges the boys to maintain a fire on The mountain so passing ships might see them.

The Rescue Fire from "Lord of the Flies". Smoke as a Plan Ralph urges the boys to maintain a fire on The mountain so passing ships might see them.

Smoke as a Plan Ralph urges the boys to maintain a fire on The mountain so passing ships might see them. Hope and Consequence The boys build an enormous blaze, but it spreads into the forest. Their collective excitement produces both a rescue signal and a danger they cannot control.

Rescue at Last Rescue at Last from "Lord of the Flies". A Ship on The Beach A naval officer arrives as the fire Jack Merridew's tribe set engulfs the island, and Ralph is finally rescued.

Rescue at Last from "Lord of the Flies". A Ship on The Beach A naval officer arrives as the fire Jack Merridew's tribe set engulfs the island, and Ralph is finally rescued.

A Ship on The Beach A naval officer arrives as the fire Jack Merridew's tribe set engulfs the island, and Ralph is finally rescued. An Unwelcome Return The officer sees a group of painted, exhausted boys but cannot grasp the deaths and fear behind their appearance. Ralph's grief makes the cost of their ordeal unmistakable.

At the opening, during the wartime evacuation

Early on the first day, beside The lagoon

Later on the first day, at the first assembly

The first afternoon, on The mountain

Near the ending, after the island fire draws a ship