Chapter 8 Plot Summary: Lord of the Flies by William Golding

In chapter eight, Jack attempts to overthrow Ralph's leadership. Due to his arrogant belief that he held a majority in the group of boys, Jack attempted to gain leadership democratically by way of an election. Ralph won the vote by a landslide, which was an unsustainable blow to Jack's ego: "He [Jack] leapt down from the platform and ran along the beach, paying no heed to the steady fall of his tears; and until he …showed first 75 words of 500 total…

…showed last 75 words of 500 total…Can't think why'" (155). Piggy's feelings seemed to foreshadow a coming event in the novel; however, Ralph dismissed Piggy's sombre thoughts: "'They're having fun,'" (156) claimed Ralph. In the latter part of the chapter, we were returned to Simon's "conversation" with the "Lord of the Flies." The chapter ended when Simon fainted, because he was overwhelmed by the "words" of the "Lord of the Flies": "Simon was inside the mouth. He fell down and lost consciousness" (159).