Chapter 7 Summary

4) Chapter 7 summary

    In chapter 7, it starts off with a group of the boys, including Ralph and Jack resting. Ralph was suddenly aware of the heat, and wanted to cut his hair with a pair of scissors. He was still daydreaming that he had escaped the island and had his own toilet to do his business. His desire to escape the island was so strong that he imagined himself doing daily necessity such as brushing of his teeth and showering. Simon, sensing Ralph's problems, went to comfort him and reassure him that they would get off the island and return home safely. In the afternoon, the group of boys found boar droppings on the ground, and decided to hunt down the boar.
    When they found the boar, they attempted to kill it. But the 'boar was floundering away from them'. However, in their attempt, Ralph managed to stick his spear slightly into the boar. Ralph was 'full of fright and apprehension and pride'. This shows Ralph slowly understanding why Jack likes hunting so much and is showing how Ralph can also turn to savagery. Ralph also felt the need of having a witness as he wanted the others to know that he was capable of hunting as well. Then, they re-enacted what had happened with Robert being the boar and Ralph being the hunter. However, they were too engrossed in the play and had almost really killed Robert. After which, they joked about using a real pig to do it next time, and Jack suggested using a little'un instead. This shows what might happen if they had gotten more savage, especially Jack, that might result in a death of their peers. 
     After they were done talking, night was soon to arrive. Ralph, Jack and Roger decides to climb the mountain and hunt for the beast. After climbing up the mountain, they were astonished to find the 'beast' and went back to tell everyone it was real. However, all the three boys saw was just the dead parachutist, and that they were just putting the image in their own mind that they saw the beast, not even wanting to confirm whether it was really a beast or not as their fear overpowered them.