The Calm Before The Storm: A Night In The Shelter

In Chapter 10 of *Lord of the Flies*, Piggy, Ralph, and Samneric sleep in a shelter at the old camp. While they sleep, Jack, Roger, and Robert break in and steal Piggy's glasses, which they need to start a fire for cooking meat. In the darkness, Ralph and Eric end up fighting each other instead of Jack and his hunters. The shelter collapses during the scuffle, and the invaders leave with Piggy's glasses.

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Jack, Roger, and Robert break into the shelter and steal Piggy's glasses

In Chapter 10 of *Lord of the Flies*, while Piggy, Ralph, and Samneric sleep in the shelter, Jack, Roger, and Robert break in and steal Piggy's glasses. The incident occurs after Ralph has a nightmare and wakes up to the sound of people outside the shelter. A voice calls out for Piggy, causing him to panic and have an asthma attack. In the darkness and confusion, Ralph and Eric try to fight back but end up hitting each other. Meanwhile, Jack, Roger, and Robert seize the opportunity to steal Piggy's glasses.

The theft of Piggy's glasses symbolizes Jack's desire for power and control. With the glasses, Jack now possesses the means to create fire, which gives him leverage over the other boys. This incident marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the group, as Jack's interest in power and control contrasts with Ralph's attempts to maintain order and civilization.

Prior to the theft, Jack had been misusing his power, causing Roger to recognize his growing tyranny. Roger, who is placed as a sentinel at Castle Rock, goes to find Jack. There, he encounters Robert, who demonstrates a defensive mechanism he has devised, involving a rock balanced on a log that can be released to crush an enemy. Robert also reveals that Jack intends to beat Wilfred, who has been tied up for hours.

The theft of Piggy's glasses leaves Piggy nearly blind and helpless, and it symbolizes the breakdown of the fragile civilization the boys had established. With Piggy's glasses, Jack gains not only the ability to create fire but also a form of power that challenges Ralph's authority. This incident highlights the increasing tension and savagery among the boys, setting the stage for further conflict and the ultimate dissolution of their society.

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Ralph and Eric fight each other instead of Jack and his hunters

In William Golding's *Lord of the Flies*, Ralph is the main protagonist and represents civilised and socialised leadership. He is chosen as the leader of the group of boys stranded on an island and attempts to create a civilised society. However, Ralph's efforts ultimately fail as he, along with the other boys, is consumed by savagery.

One instance of this descent into savagery occurs while Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric sleep in the shelter. Jack and his hunters, including Roger and Robert, break in to steal Piggy's glasses. Ralph, startled from a nightmare, wakes up to the sound of people outside the shelter. As they call out for Piggy, he panics, triggering an asthma attack. In the darkness and confusion, Ralph and Eric try to fight back against the intruders but end up fighting each other instead. Meanwhile, Jack and his hunters seize Piggy's glasses and escape.

This incident marks a turning point in the novel, as it demonstrates the breakdown of Ralph's authority and the increasing chaos on the island. The theft of Piggy's glasses symbolises the loss of rationality and the triumph of savagery, setting the stage for the tragic events that follow.

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Piggy has an asthma attack

Piggy's asthma attack is a significant moment in the story as it highlights the character's vulnerability and the breakdown of order on the island. The attack on the shelter and the theft of Piggy's glasses represent a shift in power from Ralph to Jack, as the glasses are now needed to start fires for cooking meat. This descent into savagery is further emphasised by the fact that Jack and his hunters no longer value the conch, which once represented order and civility.

Piggy's asthma attack also has tragic consequences for the group. After the attack, Piggy is nearly blind and must journey to Castle Rock to retrieve his glasses. This decision ultimately leads to his death, as he is killed by Roger, who drops a boulder on him from above.

The scene in the shelter is a pivotal moment in the novel, showcasing the increasing tension and violence between the boys and the loss of innocence as they descend into savagery. Piggy's asthma attack is a key part of this scene, adding to the chaos and highlighting the characters' vulnerabilities in the face of their deteriorating situation.

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The shelter collapses

Ralph, the de facto leader, tries to maintain order and boost morale. He reminds the boys of the importance of building sturdy shelters and keeping the signal fire burning. He argues that they need to be prepared for any eventuality, whether it's a storm or an attack by the beast. Despite his best efforts, the boys are disheartened and scared, their clothes clinging to their shivering bodies.

Piggy, always the rational one, springs into action. He suggests using the shelter's remains to build something new, something stronger. He proposes a design that can withstand the wind and rain, and the boys rally behind his idea. They begin to collect fallen trees and branches, working together to create a sturdier structure.

As they work, the boys feel a sense of unity and purpose return. They remember why they built the shelters in the first place: to keep them safe and dry. The experience has taught them a valuable lesson about the importance of preparedness and the fragility of their existence on the island.

Despite the collapse of their shelter, the boys emerge stronger and more resilient. They understand that their survival depends on their ability to adapt and work together. With Piggy's ingenuity and Ralph's leadership, they face the challenges of the island head-on, determined to persevere through adversity.

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The boys are forced to join Jack's tribe

In Lord of the Flies, Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric are sleeping in a shelter when they are awoken by rustling sounds outside. Dark figures, including Jack, Roger, and Robert, enter the shelter and attack the boys. During the scuffle, the shelter collapses, and the attackers flee with Piggy's glasses, leaving Piggy badly beaten. This incident marks a shift in power, as Jack's tribe now possesses the only set of glasses on the island, which they need to start fires for cooking meat.

Following the raid, Piggy, Ralph, and Samneric journey to Castle Rock to retrieve Piggy's glasses, but they are captured by Jack and his tribe. At this point, Samneric are forced to join Jack's tribe, leaving only Ralph and Piggy loyal to Ralph. The boys are forced to help search for Ralph, effectively turning against him.

The events highlight the differing priorities between Ralph and Jack's groups, with Ralph focused on rescue and Jack on survival and dominance. Jack now rules through force and intimidation, abandoning the conch's symbol of order and civility. The fire, once a symbol of hope for rescue, has become a tool for Jack to feast and exert power.

As the story progresses, the boys' initial restlessness and hopelessness give way to violence and a descent into savagery. The tragic consequences of their actions become clear as they grapple with guilt and the reality of their situation, including the death of Simon.

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