The "beast" that the boys encounter at the top of the mountain is, in reality, a dead parachutist.
This figure, caught and suspended on a rock, appears to the boys as a giant, bulging ape. Their fear and the dim light distort its true form, leading them to believe that this menacing shape is the terrifying beast they have been hunting and fearing throughout the island. Upon seeing what they perceive to be the beast, the boys immediately flee down the mountain to inform the rest of the group of their chilling discovery.
The incident is a pivotal moment in the story, deepening the boys' fear and contributing to the growing savagery within the group.
Key aspects of the "beast" seen on the mountain:
- It is fundamentally a deceased parachutist.
- Its appearance is misinterpreted by the boys as a large, ape-like creature due to their existing fears.
- The boys firmly believe this to be the actual beast, fueling their terror and subsequent actions.
This frightening encounter reinforces the island's escalating sense of dread and serves as a significant turning point for the boys' descent into primal behavior.
