What happens when civilization collapses?
William Golding’s chilling classic, Lord of the Flies, throws stranded schoolboys onto a deserted island and maps their terrifying descent into savagery.
Need the lines that capture the breakdown of order, the rise of fear, and the darkness within? Finding the right quote to dissect the novel’s power can be daunting.
This collection presents 70 essential quotes, organized by chapter using the Penguin Books 2003 Mass Market Paperback edition, tracking the boys’ journey from innocence to chaos.
Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell
The boys gather after the crash, initially exploring the island with a sense of adventure. Ralph finds a conch shell, which Piggy identifies as a tool for assembly, establishing early symbols of order and leadership struggles.
“Sucks to your ass-mar!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Ralph), Chapter 1, Page 13
Curious about Ralph’s attempts to maintain order? Explore 25 defining Ralph Quotes From Lord of The Flies.
“Didn’t you hear what the pilot said? About the atom bomb? They’re all dead.”
~William Golding, Lord of The Flies, (Character: Piggy), Chapter 1, Page 14
Piggy represents the voice of intellect on the island. Discover 20 insightful Piggy Quotes.
“I ought to be chief…because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp.”
~William Golding, Lord of The Flies, (Character: Jack), Chapter 1, Page 22
Jack’s ambition quickly surfaces as a challenge. Find 15 revealing Jack Merridew Quotes.
“He snatched his knife out of the sheath and slammed it into a tree trunk. Next time there would be no mercy,”
~William Golding, Lord of The Flies, (Character: The narrator about Jack), Chapter 1, Page 31
The initial attempts at establishing rules clash with emerging primal instincts as the boys confront their isolation and the island’s challenges.
Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain
Ralph tries to establish priorities: shelter and a signal fire. However, excitement turns to chaos as the fire rages out of control, and fear of a “beastie” emerges among the younger boys, highlighting the group’s fragility.
“This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grownups come to fetch us we’ll have fun.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Ralph), Chapter 2, Page 35
“Acting like a crowd of kids!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy), Chapter 2, Page 38
“Once more, amid the breeze, the shouting, the slanting sunlight on the high mountain, was shed that glamour, that strange invisible light of friendship, adventure and content.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator), Chapter 2, Page 39
“His specs – use them as burning glasses! ”
~William Golding, Lord of The Flies, (Character: Jack), Chapter 2, Page 40
Fire serves as both a tool for survival and a symbol of destruction. See more key Lord of the Flies Fire Quotes.
“Give me my specs!”
~William Golding, Lord of The Flies, (Character: Piggy), Chapter 2, Page 41
“We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Jack), Chapter 2, Page 42
“The sun in the west was a drop of burning gold that slid nearer and nearer the sill of the world. All at once they were aware of the evening as the end of light and warmth.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator), Chapter 2, Page 43
“The flames, as though they were a kind of wild life, crept as a jaguar creeps on its belly toward a line of birch-like saplings that fledged an outcrop of the pink rock.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator), Chapter 2, Page 44
“How can you expect to be rescued if you don’t put first things first and act proper?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy), Chapter 2, Page 45
“That little ‘un that had a mark on his face—where is he now? I tell you I don’t see him.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy), Chapter 2, Page 46
The disappearance of the boy with the mulberry mark underscores the danger, setting a somber tone as Jack becomes increasingly obsessed with hunting.
Chapter 3: Huts on the Beach
Efforts to build shelters falter. The growing rift between Ralph (order) and Jack (hunting) widens. Simon seeks solitude, revealing his distinct nature.
“I thought I might kill.”
~William Golding, Lord of The Flies, (Character: Jack), Chapter 3, Page 51
“There is nothing in it of course. Just a feeling. But you can feel as if you’re not hunting, but – being hunted, as if something’s behind you all the time in the jungle.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Jack to Ralph and Simon), Chapter 3, Page 53
Simon often perceives things others miss. Read 10 insightful Simon Lord of the Flies Quotes.
“People don’t help much.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Ralph to Jack), Chapter 3, Page 54
“He wanted to explain how people were never quite what you thought they were.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph thinking of Piggy), Chapter 3, Page 54
“They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling unable to communicate.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph and Jack), Chapter 3, Page 55
“They looked at each other, baffled, in love and hate.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph and Jack), Chapter 3, Page 55
Differing priorities foreshadow deeper conflicts as routine brings both mundane pleasures and underlying darkness.
Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair
Life falls into a rhythm, but Roger begins testing boundaries. Jack discovers the liberating power of the mask, embracing his hunter persona and neglecting the signal fire at a crucial moment.
“They accepted the pleasures of morning… life so full that hope was not necessary and therefore forgotten.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator), Chapter 4, Page 58
“…they grew accustomed to these mysteries and ignored them, just as they ignored the miraculous, the throbbing stars.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator), Chapter 4, Page 58
“He became absorbed beyond mere happiness as he felt himself exercising control over living things… gave him the illusion of mastery.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Henry), Chapter 4, Page 61
“Roger stooped… threw it to miss… Yet there was a space round Henry… into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life… Roger was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Roger), Chapter 4, Page 62
“The mask was a thing on it’s own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-conciousness.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Jack), Chapter 4, Page 64
“There had grown up tacitly among the biguns the opinion that Piggy was an outsider… by fat, and assmar, and specs, and a certain disinclination for manual labor.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Piggy), Chapter 4, Page 65
“Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Chant by: Jack and his hunters), Chapter 4, Page 69
“His mind was crowded with memories… knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Jack), Chapter 4, Page 70
The missed rescue forces Ralph to confront the group’s deteriorating discipline and the growing fear gripping the island.
Chapter 5: Beast from Water
Ralph calls an assembly to reassert rules and address the mounting fear of the beast. The meeting dissolves into chaos as Jack defies Ralph, littluns speak of nightmares, and Simon suggests the beast might be internal.
“He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life, where every path was an improvisation…”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 76
“He lost himself in a maze of thoughts that were rendered vague by his lack of words to express them.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 76
“If faces were different when lit from above or below — what was a face? What was anything?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Ralph’s thoughts), Chapter 5, Page 78
“Thought was a valuable thing, that got results.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 78
“We’ve got to talk about this fear and decide there’s nothing in it.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 82
“The thing is – fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Jack), Chapter 5, Page 82
“Unless we get frightened of people.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy concluding dialogue with Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 84
“Life’s scientific, but we don’t know, do we? Not certainly, I mean.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy questioning Maurice), Chapter 5, Page 88
“What I mean is . . . maybe it’s only us.” Nuts!
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Simon, response from Piggy), Chapter 5, Page 89
The conch represents the fragile hold of civilization. See important Conch Quotes and their symbolism.
“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Simon), Chapter 5, Page 89
“The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator), Chapter 5, Page 91
“What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy), Chapter 5, Page 91
“The rules!” shouted Ralph… “Because the rules are the only thing we’ve got!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Dialogue: Ralph to Jack), Chapter 5, Page 91
“Bollocks to the rules! We’re strong – we hunt! If there’s a beast, we’ll hunt it down! We’ll close in and beat and beat and beat”
~William Golding, Lord of The Flies, (Character: Jack), Chapter 5, Page 91
“If I blow the conch and they don’t come back… We’ll be like animals… If you don’t blow, we’ll soon be animals anyway.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Dialogue: Ralph and Piggy), Chapter 5, Page 92
“The trouble is: Are there ghosts, Piggy? Or beasts?” “ ’Course there aren’t.” … “’Cos things wouldn’t make sense…”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Dialogue: Ralph and Piggy), Chapter 5, Page 92
“Simon stirred… “Go on being chief.” … “I’m scared of him,” said Piggy… He hates you too, Ralph…” … “He can’t hurt you: but if you stand out of the way he’d hurt the next thing. And that’s me.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Dialogue: Simon, Piggy, Ralph), Chapter 5, Page 93
“Grownups know things,” said Piggy. “They ain’t afraid of the dark…”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy), Chapter 5, Page 94
The fragile grasp on rules slips further as the boys venture into unknown territory, seeking the beast.
Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees
The hunt for the beast intensifies, leading the boys into unexplored parts of the island. Ralph experiences the thrill of hunting, while the group engages in a ritualistic reenactment that nearly harms Robert, blurring the lines between game and violence.
“If you could shut your ears to the slow suck down of the sea… then there was a chance that you might put the beast out of mind and dream for a while.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator), Chapter 7, Page 109
“Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Chant by: The hunters, including Ralph), Chapter 7, Page 114
“Ralph… would treat the day’s decisions as though he were playing chess. The only trouble was that he would never be a very good chess player.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph), Chapter 7, Page 117
The failed hunt and terrifying encounter with the supposed beast solidify Jack’s challenge to Ralph’s leadership.
Chapter 8: Gift for the Darkness
Jack forms his own tribe, embracing savagery and offering the sow’s head as tribute. Simon has a profound encounter with the “Lord of the Flies,” realizing the beast is the darkness within.
“As long as there’s light we’re brave enough”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Ralph), Chapter 8, Page 125
“Now you done it. You been rude about his hunters.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy to Ralph about Jack), Chapter 8, Page 125
“The greatest ideas are the simplest. Now there was something to be done they worked with passion”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph/Piggy), Chapter 8, Page 129
“They always been making trouble, haven’t they?”… “We can do without ’em. We’ll be happier now, won’t we?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy about Jack’s tribe), Chapter 8, Page 131
“The half-shut eyes were dim with the infinite cynicism of adult life.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator describing the pig’s head), Chapter 8, Page 137
“They were black and iridescent green… and in front of Simon, the Lord of the Flies hung on his stick and grinned… his gaze was held by that ancient, inescapable recognition.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Simon’s encounter), Chapter 8, Page 138
“But nobody else understands about the fire. If someone threw you a rope when you were drowning… you would, wouldn’t you?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Ralph), Chapter 8, Page 139
“I dunno, Ralph. We just got to go on, that’s all. That’s what grown-ups would do.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy), Chapter 8, Page 139
“… what makes things break up like they do?” Piggy… “I expect it’s him.” “Jack?” “Jack.” … “Yes,” he said, “I suppose it must be.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Dialogue: Ralph and Piggy about Jack), Chapter 8, Pages 139, 140
“There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the Beast. . .”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The Lord of the Flies to Simon), Chapter 8, Page 143
“Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The Lord of the Flies to Simon), Chapter 8, Page 143
Simon’s harrowing realization precipitates the novel’s tragic climax as he tries to bring the truth to the others amidst a storm and primal frenzy.
Chapter 9: A View to a Death
Simon discovers the dead parachutist, confirming the “beast” is external fear. He rushes to tell the others, caught in a ritualistic dance. Mistaking him for the beast, they kill him.
“Come away. There’s going to be trouble. And we’ve had our meat.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy to Ralph), Chapter 9, Page 151
“The edge of the lagoon became a streak of phosphorescence… Softly, surrounded by a fringe of inquisitive bright creatures… Simon’s dead body moved out towards the open sea.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator describing Simon’s body), Chapter 9, Pages 153, 154
Simon’s death marks the point of no return, extinguishing reason as the boys grapple with their actions.
Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses
Ralph, Piggy, Sam, and Eric struggle with guilt, attempting denial. Jack rules his tribe through fear at Castle Rock, solidifying power by stealing Piggy’s glasses—the symbol of intellect.
“That’s right. We was on the outside. We never done nothing, we never seen nothing.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy about Simon’s death), Chapter 10, Page 158
Deprived of reason and hope, Ralph’s small group faces their final, desperate confrontation.
Chapter 11: Castle Rock
Ralph, Piggy, and the twins approach Castle Rock to reclaim Piggy’s glasses. Jack’s tribe refuses. Roger, with deliberate cruelty, dislodges a boulder, killing Piggy and shattering the conch.
“Are we savages or what?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Ralph), Chapter 11, Page 170
“Which is better — to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?… Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Piggy), Chapter 11, Page 180
“the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator), Chapter 11, Page 181
With reason and order destroyed, Ralph is left alone, hunted by the tribe.
Chapter 12: Cry of the Hunters
Ralph becomes the prey in a terrifying island-wide hunt. Jack’s tribe sets the forest ablaze. Cornered, Ralph collapses before a naval officer, whose arrival brings an abrupt, ironic end.
“This was a savage whose image refused to blend with that ancient picture of a boy in shorts and a shirt.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator describing a hunter), Chapter 12, Page 183
“He knelt among the shadows and felt his isolation bitterly. They were savages it was true; but they were human.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph’s thoughts), Chapter 12, Pages 185, 186
“If only one had time to think!”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: Ralph’s thoughts), Chapter 12, Page 195
“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.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator about Ralph), Chapter 12, Page 202
“The officer, surrounded by these noises, was moved and a little embarrassed. He turned away to give them time to pull themselves together; and waited, allowing his eyes to rest on the trim cruiser in the distance.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, (Character: The narrator, near final line), Chapter 12, Page 202
Common Lord of the Flies Quote Questions
Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us. page number.
This insightful line by Simon is found in Chapter 5, on Page 89.
The world that understandable and lawful world was slipping away. page number.
This poignant observation by the narrator occurs in Chapter 5, on Page 91.
Fancy thinking the beast was something page number.
The Lord of the Flies speaks this chilling line to Simon in Chapter 8, on Page 143.
Important Note on Page Numbers:
Page numbers cited (e.g., Page 13) reference the Penguin Books, December 16, 2003 Mass Market Paperback edition (ISBN-13: 978-0399501487). They WILL vary across different editions. Please verify against your specific edition for academic citations.
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Mortis, Jeremy. “70 Lord of the Flies Quotes With Page Numbers.” Ageless Investing, 22 Mar. 2025, agelessinvesting.com/lord-of-the-flies-quotes/.
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Mortis, J. (2025, March 22). *70 Lord of the Flies quotes with page numbers*. Ageless Investing. Retrieved [Date You Accessed], from https://agelessinvesting.com/lord-of-the-flies-quotes/
Jeremy Mortis, founder of Ageless Investing, applies a rigorous analytical approach (the AAM framework) to distill timeless wisdom and contextualized quotes from classic literature, saving you time while deepening understanding. Learn more about Jeremy’s unique background and methodology on his author bio page.