Meaning of sentence

[pmey]

Hi

I am trying to read William Golding's "Lord of the Flies". In there, the author is very often using a construction like "having to stand on his head". What exactly is the meaning of this term, assuming it has a certain meaning other than the obvious? For example, in the book is a sentence like: "Then they stepped back, laughing with triumphant pleasure, so that immediately Ralph had to stand on his head."

Thanks a lot for your time.

[Pete]

Hi

I am trying to read William Golding's "Lord of the Flies". In there, the author is very often using a construction like "having to stand on his head". What exactly is the meaning of this term, assuming it has a certain meaning other than the obvious? For example, in the book is a sentence like: "Then they stepped back, laughing with triumphant pleasure, so that immediately Ralph had to stand on his head."

Thanks a lot for your time.
Sorry, but I can't think of a non-literal interpretation.for this phrase. I haven't read the book, so this is just a guess, but is it possible that there was a rule forcing someone to stand on his head as a penalty for some type of infraction? Otherwise I can't imagine what it meant there.