Summary and why is the chapter important for all 12 chapters

Chapter 1- Sound of the shell
1. A group of boys are marooned on an island after evacuation from a war zone (WW3)
2. Ralph and Piggy are the first on the scene and use the conch to summon other suvivors
3. The most impressive entrance is from a group of choir boys led by the red-haired Jack Merridew, head boy and chapter chorister
4. One of the choirboys, Simon, faints near the platform where the boys are gathering.
5. Piggy's name is reviled to the boys amusement
6. The boys elect Ralph as chief. Jack believes the role should be his. He and Ralph agree that the choir will be hunters, with Jack in charge.
7. Ralph, Jack and Simon decide to explore the island
8.The three boys come across a piglet, which Jack almost kills but he declares 'Next time'

This chapter is important because it establishes the setting, Golding introduces us to the main characters and their different personalities, after Ralph is elected leader, we learn his generosity when he asks Jack to take charge of the hunters, the importance of the conch which is a symbol of democracy and the bad weather on the island foreshadows later events.

Chapter 2-Fire on the mountain
1. Ralph, Jack and Simon return from exploring and Ralph blows the conch to call a meeting. He confirms it is uninhabited.
2. Jack points out that an army is required during hunting, while Ralph is more worried about intimidate problems
3. The younger boys express their concern about the beastie on the island
4. At Ralph's suggestion, the boys agree to start a fire to attract attention of passing ships
5. Jack offers to keep the fire going and his hunters keep it going
6. The fire on the mountain starts by Piggy's glasses but burns out of control.
7. Piggy tells the boys to 'act proper' if they where to be rescued
8. Piggy discovers the boy with the birthmark has disappeared.

This chapter is important because it establishes the idea that a beast might lurk on the island, Ralph and Jack's different priories are shown, Golding introduces the idea of lighting a fire as a main way of being rescued which is important though the story. The idea that hunters watch over the fire will break down later in the novel and the first death occurs, through through the boys carelessness. This death foreshadows later tragedies.

Chapter 3-Huts on the beach
1. Jack goes pig hunting-unsuccessfully
2. Ralph shows his sense of responsibly by attempting to build shelters, but these are not that successful because he has no help apart from Simon
3. Jack develops a fascination of hunting pigs
4. Ralph and Jack have a different opinion with Jacks fascination annoying Ralph, who is more concerned about the well being of the boys
5. Ralph views Jack's hunting as enjoyment
6. Simon goes of into the forest on his own

This chapter is important because Golding further develops Ralph's character, seeing how concerned Ralph is on practical matters, we learn more about Simon, with the boys doing what they want, this foreshadows later events with the boys willingly turning to savagery, we witness Jacks growing fascination with hunting pigs, being willing to spill blood and enjoying the thrill and we see how some boys act on vows made at the assembly, while others don't.

Chapter 4-painted faces and long hair
1.The littlens play on the beach but are disrupted with Roger and Marcus destroying their sandcastles. Roger throws stones close to Henry Percival and Johnny.
2. Jack paints his face with clay and charcoal and goes hunting
3. Ralph sees a ship in the distance
4. Ralph discovers that the fire has gone out
5. The hunters return with a dead pig
6. Ralph is angry and Piggy backs him up. Jack smashes a lens in Piggy's glasses
7. Ralph, upset calls a meeting.

This chapter is important because Roger's cruelty comes to light, with a successful hunt, giving a glimpse of possible future events, the chance of rescue was lost, giving time for savagery to develop, in the hunters chant and re-enactment of the kill we see de-civilizing poses emerging and attitudes towards Piggy are further exposed and Golding shows the division between Jack and Ralph

Chapter 5- Beast from the water
1. Ralph thinks about the seriousness of the forthcoming meeting and of his role as the chief.
2. At the meeting, he lays down ground rules for behavior on the island
3. Discussion turns to the beast, some of the boys wonder if they are not alone on the island. Jack and Piggy dismiss this.
4. The opinions of Simon and Piggy are ignored.
5. Jack and Ralph have further discernment and the meeting ends.
6. Simon and Piggy, fearing Jack urge Ralph to remain as chief.
7. Simon, Piggy and Ralph discuss what grown-ups would do and wish for a signal from them.

This chapter is important because Golding's description on the first page of this chapters mirrors Ralph's feeling and we see his increasing unease. As Ralph begins to recognize the qualities needed for leadership and we notice his new respect for Piggy, Jack dismiss the beast but uses it to create fear which he could use for his advantage, Piggy's logical thinking and knowledge of science lead him to argue that the only fear was fear of people and Simon would like to speak about nature of evil but is silenced which foreshadows his death later on.

Chapter 6-Beast from the air
1. A dead parachutist lands on he island.
2. As Sam and Eric tend the fire they think the parachutist is the beast.
3. At a meeting Jack announced that the beast must be hunted down and ridicules importance of the conch
4. The bigger boys, without Piggy go and find the beast
5. Ralph bravely goes first to explore an unexplored art of the island and soon joined by Jack
6. The boys discover the end of the island would be a goof place for a fort
7. Ralph stresses the boy's practical need of the others reluctantly go on with the journey.

This chapter is important because the dead parachutist is seen as the beast, which has huge implications for the group, the role of Sam and Eric, speaking as one voice is evident in this chapter, with there description of the beast being terrifying. The revelation that the beast exists means is know recognizes as real and something Jack can hunt which reinforces the hunters importance in the group. The conch loses importance as the need to hunt down the beast now dominates the boy's minds, with Golding showing Ralph leadership qualities and bravery in action, the differences between Jack and Piggy are further highlighted and Simon begins to understand the true nature of the beast.

Chapter 7-shadows and tall trees
1. Ralph is dismayed by the dirty state of the boys and the harsh state of the other side of the island.
2. Simon tries to reassure Ralph he'll get home safety
3. Jack discovers tracks of a wild boar
4. The boys create a ritual dance to celebrate the hunt and claim its just a game but Ralph is hurt.
5. Ralph, Piggy and Roger hunt the beat on the mountain-top and they discover the dead parachutist is found and they presume its the beast
6. Terrified they flee the top of the mountain

This chapter is important because we see the further evidence of the boy's decline through Ralph's observations of their lack of classlessness, we witness Ralph's awe at the immensity and power of the ocean which is seen as a barrier between the island and the civilized world. Ralph's reflections on the comforts of his typical middle class home which provides a contrast between that and the island. The boy's playful re-enactment of their hunt is yet father evidence of the boy descent to savagery and Golding develops the theme of leadership, as Jack and Ralph try to prove their courage to lead.

Chapter 8-Gift of the darkness
1. Ralph, Jack and Roger report what they have seen. Jack argues that the hunters can kill the beast.
2. Ralph describes the hunters as 'Boys armed with sticks' which hurts Jack
3. Jack tries to overthrow Ralph as the leader but he is rejected as the new chief and he leaves, soon to be joined by most of the older boys
4. A fire is rellit by the platform
5. Jack goes off with his hunters to kill pigs. They kill a sow who has piglets and decide to invite the others for a feast.
6. They sever the sow's head and put it on a stick
7. Simon, alone in the forest, sees the pig's head and has a 'conversation' with it, before losing consciousness.

This chapter is important because it shows how much Jack hates Ralph, Golding shows highlights of Ralph and Piggy's realistic approach when they concede that the boys would be powerless against the beast, the chapter signals the split of the survivors into two groups: the conch group and the hunters which is a natural development of the differences between the two main characters. It also shows further evidence of Jack's style of leadership is a descent into the primitive, with the debate and discussion being replaced by rehearsed and ritualised responses: 'the cheif has spoken' and we witness Simon's strange behaviour when communicates with the 'lord of the flies', but we also see a courageous side to his character.

Chapter 9- A view of death
1. Simon sees the dead parachutist and discovers the truth about the beast. He heads off to tell the others
2. Ralph and Piggy join Jack's party where their having a feast
3. Jack asks who will join his tribe and he and Ralph ague over where the conch an be used
4. There is a thunderstorm (pathetic fallacy and foreshadowing death of Simon) and Piggy senses trouble.
5. Jack encourages his tribe to do their dance
6. Simon stumbles into the dancing circle
7. the boys see Simon as the beat and kills him in a frenzied attack
8. The bodies of Simon and the parachutist are washed out to sea.

This chapter is important because it shows the contrast between Jack's camp and Ralph's as well their leadership styles, Simon discovers the truth concerning the beast but is unable to bring the truth to the others, Simon's death marks a change in the hunter's attitude towards death and allows Jack to play on the boys fear. The death also brings a burden of guilt as they all took part in the murder, Golding uses nature, colour and imagery to affect this chapter and the disappearance of the parachutist's body is a convenient plot device as it revolves around the possibility of that it will be discovered and reviled for what it is.

Chapter 10- The shell and the glasses
1.Piggy and Ralph talk about the events of the previous night
2. Sam and Eric join them, guilt-ridden, the four boys lie to each other about their involvement
3.Jack and the hunters set up camp at the far end of the island
4. Roger is challenged on returning to Jack's camp and admires the lever and rock device ready to prevent unwelcome visitors
5. Ralph, Piggy and the twins try, unsuccessfully, to relight the fire (your love is my only desire!). Ralph shows signs of confusion and they give up on the fire for the evening
6. In their shelters that night, they hear noises outside
7. Jack and two other hunters attack and steal Piggy's glasses
8. Jack is delighted at his achievement

This chapter is important because we witness discussions about Simon's death, with Piggy insisting it was an accident, now Jack has become the chief we understand he has know unchecked power. It also shows Jacks power with him demonstrating Jack's authoritarian leadership, Golding also shows that Jack's hunters will use violence to get what they want and Jack is revered and set apart from the others as important

Chapter 11- Castle rock
1. Ralph is unable to light the fire without Piggy's glasses
2. The conch group decide to confront Jack and his hunters
3. A scuffle breaks out between the two groups
4. Roger leans on the lever, which catapults a heavy rock towards Piggy
5. Piggy is killed by the falling rock
6. Sam and Eric are captured by hunters
7. Ralph is know alone, forced to escape as hunters hurl spears in his direction

This chapter is important because despite Jack's crimes, we see Ralph wants to talk like civilised humans, Piggy's faith in the power of the conch, it is evident that Sam and Eric are forced to join the savage group through violent correction rather than reason. It also shows when Piggy is killed and the conch shattered it shows the symbol of civilised behaviour and voice of reason has been destroyed and Golding shows how Ralph copes with the sole target of the others hatred

Chapter 12- Cry of the hunters
1. Ralph considers his options and he tries to hide and avoid danger
2. He encounters the pig's head and experiences fear and anger, lashing out and taking away the spear that supported it
3. Ralph goes to speak with Sam and Eric on castle rock but their manner is discouraging
4. Ralph becomes aware that he is totally alone
5. Jack and the hunters track Ralph like he is an animal
6. Jack sets most of the forest on fire to smoke Ralph out
7. The smoke is seen by a passing ship
8. Ralph exhausted, collapses on the beach. He looks up to see the friendly face of a naval officer

This chapter is important because as Ralph spies on castle rock we see how he has not come to terms with what has happened, when Ralph sees the pig's head we are reminded of Simon, Ralph fails to see the significance of the sharp stick but we realise he is being hunted like a pig, at the end the naval officer sees Jack as a little boy rather than primitive, underlying aggression and savagery and Golding makes clear that Ralph was saved by external intervention.