The Parachutist's Journey

Lord of the Flies

This flow traces the dead parachutist's arrival, the mistaken interpretation of his body, and Simon's attempt to reveal the truth.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Sign From War A Sign From War from "Lord of the Flies". The Parachutist Falls A dead parachutist drifts down from the wartime sky and lands among the rocks on The mountain.

A Sign From War from "Lord of the Flies". The Parachutist Falls A dead parachutist drifts down from the wartime sky and lands among the rocks on The mountain.

The Parachutist Falls A dead parachutist drifts down from the wartime sky and lands among the rocks on The mountain. War Reaches The Island The boys are asleep and do not witness the arrival. The figure brings the distant conflict directly into the landscape they have mistaken for an escape from the adult world.

The Body Moves The Body Moves from "Lord of the Flies". A Figure in The Wind The breeze pulls at the parachute lines, making the seated body lift and bow above the rocks.

The Body Moves from "Lord of the Flies". A Figure in The Wind The breeze pulls at the parachute lines, making the seated body lift and bow above the rocks.

A Figure in The Wind The breeze pulls at the parachute lines, making the seated body lift and bow above the rocks. A Terrifying Misreading From a distance and in darkness, the motion resembles a living creature. The body's harmless mechanics become frightening because the boys lack light and knowledge.

The Twins Flee The Twins Flee from "Lord of the Flies". A Report of Teeth and Claws Sam and Eric tell the others that a furry creature with wings rose near their fire and chased them.

The Twins Flee from "Lord of the Flies". A Report of Teeth and Claws Sam and Eric tell the others that a furry creature with wings rose near their fire and chased them.

A Report of Teeth and Claws Sam and Eric tell the others that a furry creature with wings rose near their fire and chased them. Fear Gains Witnesses Their scratches and conviction make the report persuasive. Ralph cannot dismiss two frightened witnesses, and Jack Merridew sees an opportunity for a hunt.

Simon Finds The Truth Simon Finds The Truth from "Lord of the Flies". A Human Figure Revealed Simon climbs The mountain, examines the tangled lines, and realizes the supposed beast is a dead parachutist.

Simon Finds The Truth from "Lord of the Flies". A Human Figure Revealed Simon climbs The mountain, examines the tangled lines, and realizes the supposed beast is a dead parachutist.

A Human Figure Revealed Simon climbs The mountain, examines the tangled lines, and realizes the supposed beast is a dead parachutist. A Truthful Witness He frees the body from the wind's pull and starts toward the others to explain. His knowledge arrives too late to prevent the crowd's fear from becoming lethal.

The Body Drifts Away The Body Drifts Away from "Lord of the Flies". A Figure Carried Seaward The storm lifts the parachute, drawing the body away from The mountain and out beyond the reef.

The Body Drifts Away from "Lord of the Flies". A Figure Carried Seaward The storm lifts the parachute, drawing the body away from The mountain and out beyond the reef.

A Figure Carried Seaward The storm lifts the parachute, drawing the body away from The mountain and out beyond the reef. The Island's False Evidence The apparent monster disappears, but the boys have already acted on their mistaken belief. The truth leaves without being heard by the group that needs it.

One night, after the boys have gone to sleep

Before dawn, while Sam and Eric tend the fire

At dawn, immediately after their sighting

After the sow's killing, during the storm's approach

After Simon's death, during the storm and rising tide