Ralph leapt to his feet.
"Jack! Jack! You haven't got the conch! Let him speak."
Jack's face swam near him.
"And you shut up! Who are you anyway? Sitting there - telling people what to do. You can't hunt, you can't sing-".
"I'm Chief. I was chosen."
"Why should choosing make any difference? Just giving orders that don't make any
sense.
Piggy's got the conch."
"That's right-favour Piggy as you always do-"Jack's voice sounded in bitter mimicry. "The rules!" Shouted Ralph," You are breaking the rules!"
"Who cares?"
Ralph summoned his wits.
"Because rules are the only thing we have got!"
But Jack was shouting against him.
"Bollocks to the rules! We are strong-we hunt! If there is a beast, we will hunt it down! We'll close in and beat and beat and beat-!"
He gave a wild whoop and leapt down to the pale sand. At once the platform was full of noise and excitement, scrabblings, screams and laughter. The Assembly shredded away. The sound of mock hunting, hysterical laughter and real terror came from the beach. Piggy asked Ralph to blow the conch.
Question 1: Why does Ralph leap to his feet and address Jack?
Answer: Ralph stands up and addresses Jack because Jack is speaking out of turn without the conch, the symbol of authority in their assemblies.
Question 2: What does Jack accuse Ralph of, and how does Ralph respond?
Answer: Jack accuses Ralph of favoring Piggy and asserts that Ralph's leadership lacks sense. Ralph responds by asserting his position as Chief, emphasizing that being chosen is significant.
Question 3: How does Ralph justify the importance of rules, and how does Jack counter his argument?
Answer: Ralph argues that rules are essential because they are the only structure they have to maintain order and civilization. Jack counters by dismissing the rules as unimportant and advocating for strength and hunting prowess instead.
Question 4: What does Jack proclaim as the group's strength, and what action does he advocate regarding the beast?
Answer: Jack proclaims strength and hunting prowess as the group's strength. He advocates hunting down the beast aggressively, stating that they will close in, beat it, and overcome it.
Question 5: How does Jack's speech affect the atmosphere on the platform, and what subsequent actions take place?
Answer: Jack's speech incites excitement and chaos on the platform, leading to noise, excitement, scrabbling, screams, and laughter. The assembly breaks apart, and the boys engage in mock hunting, hysterical laughter, and expressions of real terror on the beach.
Question 6: How does Piggy attempt to restore order to the situation?
Answer: Piggy asks Ralph to blow the conch, indicating his desire to restore order and call the assembly back together.