"Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart and the fall through the air of the true wise friend called Piggy." - What has Ralph learnt from his stay on the island?.
From this life changing experience on the island, Ralph has learnt that there is a side of darkness and hatred caged within every man's soul. It only takes the right setting and atmosphere for it to be released. He also learnt true friends are a rarity and you only cherish what you have when it is gone. .
A group of children had landed on an island after their aircraft had crashed. All survivors had gathered and a meeting was held. This meeting was created from the sound of the conch, a shell which produces a bellow when blown. It had been decided that a chief needed to be chosen so an election was held. Two of the main characters of the book, Ralph and Jack, were the two nominations with Ralph prevailing. Rules were established and a system was put in place in order for them to survive and get through daily life. Like anything in this world, not everyone sees eye to eye which causes conflict yet everyone was satisfied for the time being.
Ralph's authority amongst the boys had slowly deteriorated. He started off as a chief who was treated with respect and who had all the answers. Yet, as the days went on, the members of the group were getting fed up and began wanting to do their own thing. Piggy (Ralph's right hand man and a firm believer in law and order) and Ralph's priority was to create shelter and keep a fire going in order to get rescued whereas Jack felt hunting was essential. This, along with Ralph being voted in ahead of Jack for chief, always meant Ralph and Jack would not get along and Jack would seek a chance to get back. He got his chance when the thought of a beast emerged into the group. This created fear and with Ralph's uncertainty, Jack promised to protect everyone who followed and destroy the beast.