I blew on the conch to signal a meeting. It would be all business and serious, none of the fun, joking types we had before. I sat on a dead log and waited while the other boys circled around. This was the latest assembly we'd ever had but it was concerning very pressing matters. I was firm when I told the other boys about all the points I wanted to make. I told everyone that we were lacking people to get water in coconuts. That we needed to sleep in our huts at night and more people should have helped build them. That we had let the fire go out because of the hunters when it needed to be sending a signal of smoke constantly. That there would only be one fire on the mountain top, not even small ones for food. That we would use the rocks for a lavatory. I also mentioned how I sensed the fear of everyone but told them they didn't need to fear. Jack, Piggy, and I all agreed that there was no beast on the island but Simon dissented. He said the beast may only be us and the other boys laughed at him. I questioned whether I should give up being chief. I was losing control, it might happen eventually and at least this way it would be on my own terms.
I woke up to Sam and Eric frantically shaking my tired body. They said they had seen the beast. I had them quietly call another assembly. The fear in their eyes and in their words told me it wasn't just a dirty trick. I gathered the biguns and had them grab spears to hunt down the beast with. The littluns stayed behind on the beach with Piggy to watch over them. Jack told me how there was only one place he had not yet been to on the island. There was only one way up to that place. We started on our way but I was the furthest behind. I was too busy in thought to lead and Simon slowed to walk with me. We had reached the "castle" and there was only one way to access it, a narrow path made of rock. I was the chief, I had to go first so I went but I was glad when I heard Jack following close behind. There was no beast at the "castle". I was glad because now it will prove to all the other boys that there is no beast on the island.
Personal Connection: My personal connection from chapter 5, Beast from Water, and chapter 6, Beast from Air, is that I understand how it feels to look for help when there is none just like Ralph felt when he was arriving at the "castle". Ralph was so fearful of what he was about to face because he thought it would be the beast. It is hard to stay strong when others are looking up to you to lead them and help them and you don't know what to do or how to help. Ralph overcomes his struggle just as I overcome mine too.
Quote: The best quote from these chapters regarding Ralph was on page 104 and says "Ralph dismissed Simon and returned to his personal hell. They would reach the castle sometime; and the chief would have to go forward." This shows that despite Ralph being the one others look to for help and to make decisions, he has his own fears and feels the need for an adult to come help him solve his problems. He is looking for someone to look up to himself while needing to stay strong and lead the others so they can survive long enough until they can be rescued.
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