As elected leader, Ralph senses that Jack craves a position of leadership and “eager[ly]…offer[s]” him a position as head of the hunters; charging him and his garrison with the task of monitoring the smoke signal and hunting for meat (30 and 59). Anxiety and panic soon breaks out among the boys when they discover that the fire has gone out, no longer producing smoke as to alert the passing ship they see on the horizon (93). In reaction, Ralph rushes towards the mountain, only to “[cry] out”, disheartened at the realization that there is no longer enough time attract the attention of the ship (93). Angered by Jack’s failure of to maintain the fire, Ralph trudges back to the shore “clench[ing] his fist[s]” only to fine Jack and his group of hunters arriving on the beach “chatter[ing] and dance[ing]; giddy with excitement as they describe the successful killing of their first pig (93-97). Abandoning Ralph’s plan to get rescued, Jack begins to focus solely on hunting, which, intrigues some of the other boys, in effect leading to the sway of allegiances in Jack’s own …show more content…
Not far after the split of the groups Piggy is beaten and left blinded by the other boys who stole his “burning specs” (242). This course of events, in turn leaves Ralph spitting mad, lending his thoughts to savage ideas of aggression that Jack has exhibited throughout the book. In retaliation Ralph and Piggy decide to confront the larger group of boys arguing that Ralph, himself, should still be in charge he yells through the noise of the boys’, “Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?” (250). Ignoring Ralphs statement, the excitement the situation becomes out of control struggle for power subsequently leading to Piggy’s death, an action that sobers Ralph: “Ralph’s lips formed a word but no sound came” (260). Threatened with the idea of their own death Ralphs remaining boys succumb to Jacks power, in turn leaving Ralph alone to “lay in covert” as he has not the numbers of a group to scare off retaliation from the other