Key Quotes

1. “There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill; and there was the world of longing and baffled common-sense.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 4)

This quote represents the two ways of life available to the boys on the island. Jack represents the hunter’s way of life, and Ralph the rational, measured way of life. In the novel, though these are not presented as mutually exclusive or irreconcilable, they are nonetheless oppositional: in fact, it is the tension between these two approaches that causes the chaos. The flaw with the two groups is that they view their own approach as superior and make no room for compromise. They do not entertain the other point of view.

2. “The three boys stood in the darkness, striving unsuccessfully to convey the majesty of adult life.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 5)

Ralph, Simon, and Piggy are the only ones who refuse to join Jack’s hunting crew. The quote also highlights Jack’s growing power and Ralph’s waning control over the group.

In contrast to Jack, who represents a juvenile and unrestrained approach to life on the island, the three represent order and regulation. Simon, in particular, with his calm and introspective nature, represents the need for a middle ground between the approaches embodied by Ralph and Jack. However, the group is swayed by Jack’s calls, thereby representing the deterioration of order on the island.

3. “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!”

(Jack’s hunters) (appears throughout the novel)

These are the words Jack’s crew chant throughout the novel. It represents groupthink and serves to unite the hunters. At first, the chant enables the crew to gain the courage to hunt effectively. As the novel progresses, the chant becomes a symbol of power. It also motivates Jack’s crew into excessive acts of violence. Jack uses this chant to rally his crew against Ralph; toward the end, it highlights the difference between Ralph and Jack. Ralph calls for order and regulation, whereas Jack calls for unrestrained savagery.

Additional Quotes

“He was safe from shame or self-consciousness behind the mask of his paint and could look at each of them in turn.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 8)

“They were black and iridescent green and without number; and in front of Simon, the Lord of the Flies hung on his stick and grinned. At last Simon gave up and looked back; saw the white teeth and dim eyes, the blood—and his gaze was held by that ancient, inescapable recognition.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 8)

Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law.

(Narrator) (Chapter 4)

His mind was crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink.

(Narrator) (Chapter 4)

“What I mean is . . . maybe it’s only us.”

(Simon) (Chapter 5)