In Chapter 8 of William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies, Jack angrily calls a meeting after Ralph insults the "hunters." At the meeting, Jack is further humiliated during a vote for the chief. Ralph wins this position unanimously, causing Jack to storm away.
After this, Simon suggests that the boys climb the mountain. This suggestion is met with stunned shock, which Piggy voices: "What's the good of climbing up to this here beast when Ralph and the other two couldn't do nothing?" Piggy, and the rest of the boys, believe that their options have been exhausted since their leaders could not defeat the beast.
Simon's justification, however, presents an interesting and different perspective. He asks, "What else is there to do?" Given Simon's insight into the beast, which he believes may actually be the boys themselves, this is fascinating response. He wants to confront their fears head on and united as one against something mysterious, dark, and terrifying.
The fact that this suggestion is met with such a negative reaction reveals an interesting facet to the boys' society: their decisions and behavior are crippled by assumptions and adopted weakness.
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