In this chapter, the symbolism of the ocean is first introduced. Ralph gazes out at it, thinking about how vast it is and how much of a barrier it is. I think that's exactly what the ocean is supposed to represent in the story; the barrier between real civilization and real society, and then tiny civilization and mock-society that is present on the island. Also, the boys are continuing on their hunt for the beast, and they run into a pig-run. The pig-run leads them deep into the forest, and they end of finding the pig and Ralph injures it. It is also at this time that we come to understand how much more savage the boys are than in the beginning. Ralph has some sort of sadistic excitement at hurting the animal, and all the other boys are practically giddy with thought of slaughter. In normal society, this would be viewed as mentally insane, yet the boys find it normal. It's a little bit beyond twisted.
I feel that the most prominent part in the chapter was when the boys reenacted the pig hunt. Robert acted as the pig, and at first it was all good fun; all of the boys were joking around. But then some of the boys shifted from playfulness to apparently unintentional aggressiveness, and they started jabbing their spears at Robert. Golding actually says that Robert "Squealed in mock terror, then in real pain" (144).
The book ended with Ralph, Jack, and Roger finally climb the mountain and find the "beast". Of course, it's SO not the beast, and they don't even bother to inspect it. For all their talk, the boys fail to come through for their tribe; they just drop their spears and run. The ending of the chapter truly shows just how young the boys are.
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