Chapter 2 Summarization: Fire On the Mountain

Ralph, Simon, and Jack returned from their exploration around the island. Ralph called a meeting with the conch (see side picture) to tell the rest of the boys about it.

They started making rules, for they needed to be organized. The first rule they make is that they have to have a hands up, as in school. The second is that whoever is talking, must hold the conch. The only person able to interrupt the conch-holder is Ralph, for he is chief.

Jack talks passionately about pigs--and how he wants to hunt them. He mentions food, as well as bathing water in a stream down the scar.

When asked if anyone else had anything to add, a group of littleuns urged and prodded a litte boy forward. He was a tiny ting, six years old, and had a huge mulberry-coloured birthmark on the side of his face. He was nervous and didn't want to speak. With Piggy's help, he manages to tell everyone about the snake-thing, or the beastie. Ralph and Jack try to tell him he's just imagining things, but he is still terrified.

The boys then decide they need to make a fire so that ships in the distance can see them and will rescue them. They all run off to find firewood, leaving Ralph and Piggy behind. Piggy is disgusted with the boys' behaviour, acting over-mature, and Ralph is torn at what to do. Finally, Ralph runs off after the rest of the lot, leaving Piggy steaming.

They make a huge pile off wood on a platform off the forest. Neither Ralph nor Jack have matches, so they steal Piggy's glasses from him (without his consent) and use them as a magnifying glass to make a flame. The fire starts up and soon rages out of control. It burns all the dead or dying trees near it, and goes along the beach. It burns acres of trees, swallowing all in it's path. Piggy is furious.

The others don't respect Piggy when he has the conch; they're following Jack--and to some extent, Ralph's--example. Then, when Piggy finally catches their attention, he tells them that they need to make a system to remember everybody. He asks if anyone has seen the little boy with the mulberry birthmark, and sure enough, the little boy is missing. Jack and Ralph immediately blame it on Piggy, but in reality, it is everyone's fault for not keeping an eye out.

Cheers,
Kate