What points does Ralph make at the meeting? What general point does he make that he wants people to discuss? Why are these points so significant?

In Chapter Two, Ralph announces that they will have to establish rules, not only in meetings, but also to organize day-to-day life. He states that, in meetings, the boys will have to raise their hands, like in school, so as to ensure that they speak one at a time. The boy whose turn it is to speak will receive the conch shell, which he will hold while talking, and then will pass it along to the next speaker.

Ralph reassures the boys that the island is theirs-and until the grown-ups come they will have fun. He says that their goal while stranded shall be twofold: one, they should try to ensure their rescue, and two, they should try to have fun. Ralph then suggests that they build a fire on the top of the mountain, for the smoke will signal their presence to passing ships.

The "government" established by Ralph develops during this chapter. Golding uses these developments to signal that the island is becoming a society with rules that mirror Western democratic culture. The conch shell, which authorizes its holder to speak and is available to all, is a particular symbol of the ideal of democratic freedom and equality. But, since Ralph decides who gets possession of the conch, the freedoms of the island are decided by authority. Though Ralph is a benevolent leader, the implication here is that democracy still depends on its leaders for justice.