William Golding's Lord Of The Flies Analysis

This makes the problems even worse. Jack wanted to be the leader. This raises the conflicts between Ralph and Jack. Things just go downhill from here.

Even thought Piggy is physically blind without his glasses he has insight as to his surroundings. Jack shows dislike towards Piggy by ridiculing his physique by saying , “Better Piggy the Fatty”. (40) His intelligence is undermined by the fact that Jack makes fun of him.

When first introduced, Ralph is not interested in Piggy, who was not popular because he was fat. “He tried to be offhand and not too obviously uninterested, but the fat boy hurried

This specific conflict was between Jack and Ralph and how the two finally went at each other

177).” Getting what he wants, Jack gets the revote, but Ralph still wins. Most of the boys could see through the lies and exaggerations of Jack. They realized that everything he does is for the betterment of himself, not everyone else. He wants the power so he can be in control and do what is right for himself, not the others. Realizing that, they know he is not and will never fit to be the leader or chief of anything.

Ralph and Jack begin the novel with similar beliefs, both wanting to implement rules. “I agree with Ralph. We’ve got to have rules and obey them.” But then the wanting of power from Jack comes to- Ralph

In this moment Jack and the hunters have killed their first pig, and they were excited to tell everyone as they were chanting “Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood (69).” Jack’s excitement went away when Ralph told him that a boat passed away and that he and his hunters were suppose to keep the fire going, but they did not. Jack did not do his part of the job to being rescued by not keeping up with the fire as he instead went to go hunt. When Piggy held Jack responsible for the fire, they began to argue and Jack punched Piggy in the stomach and smacked Piggy in the head. Piggy’s glasses went flying and one of his lenses broke. Jack apologizes about the fire, but he does not apologize to Piggy for breaking his glasses. This is significant

He is a natural leader that tries to keep the boys focused on the end goal of rescue. When many of the boys begin to waver in their dedication to this goal, he reprimands them, saying “‘Do all of you see?...We’ve got to make smoke up there – or die.’” (Golding 81). He shows bravery when the boys are hunting the beast. When “Jack went red” (Golding 104) at the suggestion that he should confront the beast in its castle, Ralph says, “I'm chief. I'll go. Don't argue.” (Golding 104). A final example of his heroism is when he stands up for the weaker boys, such as the littluns (the younger boys) and Piggy. When Jack is angered with Ralph for trying to “Keep Piggy out of danger.” (Golding 101), Ralph says, “Have some sense. What can Piggy do with only one eye?” (Golding 101). Ralph is not afraid of becoming unpopular when he is trying to maintain order, but this may be one of his many unheroic flaws. Ralph is seemingly unable to comprehend that he must take into account what others want to do if he wants them to like him. He ignores their pleas for rest when they discover a castle-like structure and scolds them for not helping in the building of their shelters. While he may be right in the fact that they weren’t doing enough to help, he is harming his own image, contributing to the downfall of order. Additionally, Ralph is not immune to the inner evil within them all, as “Piggy and Ralph,

Ralph continued as being the leader, but he started to succumb to the savage ways of the other tribe of boys. Ralph started to act very stubborn, and he wasn’t as organized of a leader as he was before. Ralph’s evil actions started to occur

Ralph is not only a leader, but a voice of reason within the group. Ralph’s main priority throughout the novel is to be rescued, even when it did not seem as important to the other boys in the group. Ralph creates a signal fire and consistently reminds the boys that it is imperative to their survival. Ralph explains, “Don’t you understand? Can’t you see we ought to--ought to die before we let the fire out?” (Golding 81). Ralph’s scolding to the hunters is well deserved considering that they wasted a possible opportunity to be rescued after letting the signal fire go out. As time went on, Jack and his hunters become more and more consumed with hunting and order began to turn into chaos. The hunters chant, “Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Bash her in” (Golding 75). Ralph refuses to join the boys and viciously murder pigs. The boys’ hygiene habits were also worsening, to the point that the boys were defecating in the wrong areas. Ralph tries to address it at a meeting, but the boys’ find their animal-like behavior amusing. Throughout the loss of civility and order, Ralph always keeps a persistent effort to keep the signal fire going and keep order within the group. Ralph’s attitude towards the entire situation drops, however he never completely lost hope.

Secondly, Ralph is not only a rational leader but also a moral person, who cleverly keeps the fairness in his group. “Ralph, looking more understanding at Piggy, saw that he was hurt and crushed. He hovered between the two courses of apology or further insult ‘Better Piggy than Fatty” (25). Ralph is sincere and considerate for other people. He apparently understand their feeling and particularly shows his sympathy for Piggy. Ralph is sensible enough to realize that everyone deserves to be respected. He believes no one should have to put up with being tormented. Ralph gently gains others’ support by treating them equally, showing his compassion and ability to empathize with them. Opposite to Ralph, Jack is immoral, violent and condescending. “He’s going to beat Wilfred” (159). He does not care or understand the natural equality of

Piggy is able to reason and think things through in a logical, sensible way. For example, while the others want to play, Piggy realizes that the group needs a plan to survive. He attempts to explain to the group that shelters are the next logical step. Piggy tells the group, “How can you expect to be rescued if you don’t put first things first and act proper?” ( 45). Ralph acknowledges Piggy’s ability to think sensibly when Ralph finds himself alone, being hunted by Jack, and not knowing what to do. Ralph states, “There was no Piggy to talk sense.” (196). It is at this moment when Ralph truly realizes Piggy’s

While the majority of the boys on the island strip naked to hunt pigs with sticks, there is one remaining symbol of civilized reasoning: Piggy's glasses. Initially, when Piggy's glasses are functional in brilliant clarity, he is able think clearly. Accordingly, Piggy knows that order on the island and rescue off of it are extremely critical. He warns the others to not act "like a crowd of lads,” (22). Following the abandonment of the fire, due to Jack’s hunting craze, the smoking flames trickle out. Piggy criticises his obsession of “blood,” recognizing that “[they] could have gone home,” (41). He understands the events with clarity in judgement, unlike many of the “hunters” who are clueless within their reality. Correspondingly, Piggy is the

Jack’s departure from the boys sparks a civil war in between them and ultimately creating a giant war that lead to death of some of the boys. Jacks uprising or rebellion is hinted early in the book but he shows his true side leaving Ralph’s group. This action by jack creates the events of piggy and simons death but creates the reason they are rescued. Jacks new aggression embodies war and destruction itself and is a monster. When jack breaks out against Ralph he not only defeats him but he shows that Ralph is weak eventually taking everyone Ralph has by torture or death.

Jack is so power hungry that he even goes as far as to try to replace Ralph as the leader