Chapter 1 - The Sound of the Shell

Ralph blowing into the conch shell to signal the other boys to come out of the forest.

I heard a voice coming from the undergrowth.  A plump, fat boy popped out of the tangled foliage and asked me where the man with the megaphone was.  I told him I didn't think there were any grown-ups around on this island.  It must be an island because of the reef out in the sea.  The fat boy would not shut up.  He kept rambling on and on and on despite my attempts to end the conversation.  I finally had walked down to the beach line and saw a large pool of water.  The fat boy told me the name the kids at school used to call him, Piggy.  I burst out laughing at the thought of him being called Piggy.  The heat was unbearable so i took off my clothes and jumped into the water.  The water was hot too.  I told Piggy that my father is a Commander in the Royal British Navy and that he would soon be arriving to rescue us off the island.  Piggy tried to tell me that no one knew we were here but I know my dad will find us.  I saw a creamy shell in the sand.  Piggy helped me get it and I couldn't wait to examine it.  When I blew into it, a loud farting noise came out and I saw many boys come out of the jungle.  A large group of robed boys approached us.  Jack Merridew was their leader and he was slightly intimidating to me.  The boys took a vote on who they wanted to be leader and I was chosen.  I'm happy to be their leader, I know I can make the right choices to lead them just like my father does.  Jack seemed to be disappointed he lost the vote so I gave him power over his choir to be in charge of the hunting for the group.  I decided that it would be best if Jack, Simon, and I all went to explore part of the island to make sure it really is an island.  The jungle was incredible to explore but I really hope we are safe here.  With wild animals and other creatures, I don't know what to expect from the island, which we finally confirmed that it was.

Personal Connection:  The events in this novel in chapter one, the Sound of the Shell, can relate to my own personal life because I can relate to needing to step up into a leadership role unexpectedly.  In my sophomore year of high school soccer I was given the captain's armband to lead the junior varsity team.  It caught me off guard and I immediately had to make sure I was a good role model for those around me just like Ralph now is being looked to for help by the other boys on the island in the classic novel.

Quote:"'Shut up,' said Ralph absently. He lifted the conch. 'Seems to me we ought to have a chief to decide things.'"  This quote is important because it sets the tone of leadership of all the boys on the island in Lord of the Flies.  Ralph was voted the chief because he held the conch and called a meeting based on Piggy's suggestions.  Not everyone is satisfied with Ralph as the chief though.  Jack Merridew wanted to be the leader of the boys and was shocked when he was not elected to be in charge.  This foreshadows that there may be some conflict between Ralph and Jack over the struggle for power, leadership, and respect.