Lord of the Flies: Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis

Simon wakes as a storm gathers over the island. He climbs the mountain even though he's staggering with exhaustion. He sees the "beast" and realizes that it's just a dead parachutist. He untangles the cords holding the parachutist in place, and heads down the mountain to tell the others.

Meanwhile, everyone but a few littleuns and Ralph and Piggy have gone to Jack's feast. Ralph mocks the feast as a bunch of boys "pretending" to act like a tribe. But the lure of food proves too much for Piggy, who suggests they go to the feast "to make sure nothing happens."

Jack acts like a savage chief at the feast. His face is painted and he wears a crown of leaves. Jack commands and the other boys obey him.

When Ralph arrives, Jack asks the gathered boys who will join his tribe. Ralph says that he's still chief and has the conch, but Jack says the conch has no authority on this side of the island.

It starts to rain, and Ralph laughs that Jack's tribe had no foresight to build shelters. In response, Jack whips the group into "their dance." They form a chanting circle: "Kill the beast! Cut his throat!" Roger pretends to be a pig at the center of the circle, but eventually stops. Even Ralph and Piggy press forward. The circle of boys becomes a frenzied mob.

Suddenly, Simon staggers from the forest, shouting the news about the dead parachutist. In their frenzied dance, though, the other boys think that he's the beast. They surround him, and beat and claw him to death. The rain pours down. Wind lifts the parachutist and sails it toward the boys, who run screaming. Simon's body washes out to sea.