I agree with what Sydney and Michaela are saying, after reading what you're thinking about I completely agree and I did not even think of that! I think that the beast is definitly living inside the boys for they are all not seeing the reality of the Island. Instead of focusing on building shelter, gathering food, keeping the fire going, and improving life, they choose to try to decide how to attack the beast. It is a way for them to think of something else, perhaps, instead of them realizing that they could be stuck on this island forever.