The beginnings of the idea of the beast occur, when Ralph, having been chosen by the group of boys as their leader, is now taking on his role, with an increasing confidence. He is assuring the 'littluns' that they will 'have a good time' on the island. Ralph explains that the island has everything that they could possibly need. At this point, a six year-old boy, distinguished only by a mulberry-coloured birthmark on his face, allows the seeds of apprehension, on the subject of the beast, to be planted in the boys' minds. The little boy, with the help of Piggy, who encourages him to speak and interprets what he is saying, tells the assembly of boys that he is scared of 'a snake-thing'. He believes that the beast turns into one of the jungle creepers during the day but becomes a snake or 'beastie' at nightfall. Although he tries to comfort the boy, Ralph appears to feel that this is just another childish fear, like a fear of the dark. But towards t

"I know there isn't no fear, either."

Simon is destroyed, though this time it is because he has discovered the truth. The beast represents what Ralph calls 'the darkness of man's heart'. This is the 'beast' present in each of us - the capacity for evil and wrongdoing. The boys' recognition of evil, is embodied in the sacrificed they make after each kill. The pig's head symbolises all of this to Simon, and also the cynicism of adults and the superficiality of their world. It is Simon who sees the parachutist as personifying the capacity of adults for death and destruction. The beast was a creation of the boys' own imaginations. Many people do not want to look inside themselves and do not want to acknowledge this aspect of their nature, look for something external to be its cause.

he end of this scenario, he attempts to dismiss the idea, which will cause the boys, at such an early stage, to feel any anxiety on the island.

Jack's reaction to this is one of sheer excitement at the prospect of a hunt. Piggy who previously dismissed a fear of ghosts, admits to being frightened. It is clearly evident that everyone's views on the beast have changed, since it was confirmed to be a real creature. Despite Jack's audacity and Piggy's theorising, neither of them show the courage of their convictions. At first Jack is keen to hunt the beast, but finally cannot do so (on the mountain near the beast, Jack shows his apprehension). Piggy is intellectually convinced that ghosts do not exist, but finally gives way to this fear. Only Ralph is able to overcome his fears of the beast. This action reflects what occurs later in the book, when Ralph is the only boy on the island whose fate is not to end his life there or become one of Jack's hunters. The three boys Ralph, Roger and Jack who manage to catch a glimpse of the 'great ape' when they return to the mountain, are clearly shocked.

The next chapter where the beast is of significance is in 'Beast from Water'. Here, Ralph opens a meeting. In a plain, ordered fashion he raises several issues which he feels are central to their survival and well-being. They are practical matters which cause little argument and Ralph as elected chief, insists that the new rules which he has laid down are obeyed. The next item on Ralph's agenda however, is 'the fear' or 'the beast'. It is the only matter which Ralph allows any discussion and, understandably, the only matter about which the majority of the boys are una

Some common words found in the essay are:
Water' Ralph, Meanwhile Simon, William Golding, Nevertheless Ralph's, Roger Jack, Despite Jack's, Lord Flies, Snakes Snakes, pig's head, lord flies, , boy mulberry birthmark, boy mulberry, mulberry birthmark, beast jack, fear ralph, mulberry-coloured birthmark, discovered truth, idea beast, mountain near, pig's head stick,
Approximate Word count = 1663
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)