In chapter five, "Beast from the Water," Ralph briefly
considers giving up his role as chief:
"'If you give up,' said Piggy, in an appalled
whisper, 'What 'ud happen to me?'"
(93).
Piggy is adamantly
against the notion of Ralph stepping down from being the chief. He reasons with Ralph
that Jack respects him more. Piggy's own well-being is his central interest in
persuading Ralph to remain as the chief of the boys. Piggy fears what Jack might do
without Ralph to stand in his way.
"He can't hurt you: but if you stand out of the
way he'd hurt the next thing. And that's me" (93).
Piggy may have his own best
interests at heart, but both he and Simon concur that Ralph is the better chief because
his main focus is being rescued, whereas Jack only cares about hunting. Simon also
understands that with Jack as chief, "he'd have all hunting and no fire. We'd be here
till we died" (93). The two boys convince Ralph that he must try to stay strong in his
position of leadership for as long as possible, fearful of the dark potential within
Jack Merridew.
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