Keyword Guide · chapter-summary
This chapter 9 summary explains the key events and meanings in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Use it to review the plot quickly and prepare for class discussion, quizzes, or essays.
Simon, weak and injured, leaves the forest after his encounter with the pig’s head. He realizes the so-called beast is actually a dead parachutist. Meanwhile, most of the boys gather on the beach for a feast led by Jack. As a storm builds, fear and excitement grow, and the boys perform a wild dance. When Simon stumbles out of the forest trying to share the truth, the group mistakes him for the beast and kills him in the chaos.
Simon acts as a truth-seeker who understands that the real danger comes from the boys themselves. Jack embraces power through fear and violence, encouraging the savage ritual. Ralph and Piggy attend the feast and become swept up in the crowd, showing how even the more civilized boys are vulnerable to group pressure.
This chapter highlights the loss of innocence and the power of mob mentality. The storm reflects the emotional chaos of the group. Simon’s death represents the destruction of moral insight and goodness on the island, while the boys’ reaction shows how fear can erase responsibility.
Chapter 9 is a turning point in the novel. After this event, returning to order becomes unlikely. The boys cross a moral line, and the divide between savagery and civilization becomes almost complete.
Simon is killed because the boys are overwhelmed by fear, darkness, and excitement. In their panic, they mistake him for the beast and act as a violent group rather than as individuals.
The storm symbolizes the chaos and emotional violence inside the boys. It mirrors the breakdown of order and reason on the island.
Ralph does not intend to harm Simon, but he feels guilt afterward because he participated in the dance. This shows his awareness of right and wrong, unlike some of the other boys.
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