chapter 1 lord of the flies

Who is the fair-haired protagonist introduced first in Chapter 1?

Ralph — a calm, athletic boy who becomes the elected chief.

What is the "scar"?

The long gouge of broken trees left in the jungle by the crashing plane.

Why did the plane crash?

It was shot down during a wartime evacuation of British schoolboys.

What is Piggy's real name?

It is never revealed in the book — only his nickname is known.

What does Piggy ask Ralph not to do?

Tell the other boys his nickname "Piggy" — Ralph immediately breaks this promise.

Why can't Piggy swim?

He has asthma ("ass-mar") and his aunt told him not to.

What object does Piggy spot in the lagoon?

A cream-and-pink conch shell.

Who actually retrieves the conch from the water?

Ralph wades in and grabs it.

What does Ralph do with the conch?

He blows into it, producing a loud booming note that summons the other survivors.

Who is the leader of the choir?

Jack Merridew.

What are the choir boys wearing when they arrive?

Long black cloaks with silver badges and black square caps.

Which choir boy faints from the heat?

Simon.

Who is elected chief and why?

Ralph — because he holds the conch and seems calm, even though Jack expected to win.

What job is Jack given to soothe his pride?

Leader of the hunters (the former choir).

Who goes on the first expedition to explore the island?

Ralph, Jack, and Simon.

What do the three boys do at the top of the mountain?

Push a huge rock off the edge for fun and confirm they are on an uninhabited island.

What animal do they find trapped in vines?

A piglet.

Why doesn't Jack kill the piglet?

He hesitates because of "the enormity of the knife cutting into living flesh" — he can't bring himself to do it yet.

What does Jack do to prove he won't hesitate next time?

He slams his knife violently into a tree trunk.

Who are Sam and Eric?

Identical twin brothers, often referred to together as "Samneric."

What is the title of Chapter 1?

"The Sound of the Shell."

What does the conch come to symbolize from Chapter 1 onward?

Order, civilization, and the right to speak.

How does Piggy try to bring order when the boys gather?

He tries to take down everyone's names.

What does Ralph reveal about his father?

His father is a commander in the Navy, and Ralph believes he will rescue them.

What setting is established in Chapter 1?

A remote, uninhabited tropical island during an unspecified wartime evacuation.