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No Fear Translations of Shakespeare’s plays (along with audio!) and other classic works
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“Conch! Conch!” shouted Jack. “We don’t need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things. What good did Simon do speaking, or Bill, or Walter? It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us.”
During the boys' meeting on the beach, Jack turns his anger against Piggy and mocks his belief that the conch shell holds any real power. By silencing the weaker boys and proclaiming the conch useless, he undermines the system of order that Ralph is trying to uphold and pushes the group toward authoritarian rule. This moment shows Jack’s growing dominance and the erosion of civilization on the island.
Read more about the conch shell as a symbol.
However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.
Simon’s realization that the true “beast” is not an external monster but the dark side of human nature reveals how deeply insightful he is. By imagining humanity as both “heroic and sick,” he recognizes that people are capable of great courage but also terrible cruelty.
Read an in-depth analysis of Simon.
Ralph: “There’s no food here, and no shelter. Not much fresh water.”
Bill: “This would make a wizard fort.”
This conversation between Ralph and Bill highlights how Ralph's efforts to ensure the boys' rescue and survival are constantly undermined by their immature priorities and desire to have fun. While Ralph wants to find food and shelter, the other boys would rather push rocks off a cliff and play games; he cares about their future, and they only care about the present moment.
