The first event that I found significant in this chapter is Ralph's period of reflection. It is significant because it changes the way he leads 'his people' and, at the same time, changes the way that the people of the island behave. Here is a glimpse of what's going on in his mind at this time:
"Ralph moved impatiently. The trouble was, if you were a chief you had to think, you had to be wise. And then the occasion slipped by so that you had to grab at a decision. This made you think; because thought was a valuable thing, that got results...
"Only, decided Ralph as he faced the chief's seat, I can't think. Not like Piggy.
"Once more that evening Ralph had to adjust his values. Piggy could think. He could go step by step inside that fat head of his, only Piggy was no chief. But Piggy, for all his ludicrous body, had brains. Ralph was a specialist in thought now, and could recognize thought in another."
We can see that Ralph is becoming more mature and more of an expert in his thinking and his way of leading, and this will affect the way things are done on this island. This is also the turning point of when Ralph switches his loyalties from Jack to Piggy.
The next significant event in this chapter is the assembly. Ralph makes quite a long speech. Here are some examples of things that were addressed:
" 'We have lots of assemblies. Everybody enjoys speaking and being together. We decide things. But they don't get done. We were going to have water brought from the stream and left in the coco-nut shells under fresh leaves. So it was, for a few days. Now there's no water. The shells are dry. People drink from the river.' "
" 'Look at us! How many are we? And yet we can't keep a fire going to make smoke. Don't you understand? Can't you see we ought to-- ought to die before we let the fire out?' "
" "We've got to talk about this fear and decide there's nothing in it. I'm frightened myself, sometimes; only that's nonsense! Like bogies. Then, when we've decided, we can start again and be careful about things like fire.' "
This speech is an important one because it is the beginning of a change on the island. After these things are addressed, the beastie is discussed:
" 'Maybe,' he said hesitantly, 'maybe there is a beast.' " --Simon
The group is split with the littluns thinking there are beasts, and the few biguns thinking that there aren't. Nothing is done right away-- but let's just wait and see what happens!
Keep smiling, everyone!
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When Ralph tells himself that he can't think because Piggy thinks, that is a sign of weakness. He needs to think. He can't not just because the person he dislikes or finds annoying is awfully good at it. Ralph really did need to adjust his values, and I'm glad that he starts to. A leader needs to be able to change and adapt, yet still stay strong so the others around him can look to him for strength.
Cheers.
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