When the boys initially arrive at the island it is a beautiful tropical paradise, yet with the progression of the novel it is ultimately destroyed. When the boys first land on the island the airplane caused a “long scar across the jungle.”(Golding, 14). Demonstratively, upon mans arrival the human flaw of deposing destruction to nature has been placed upon the island, by initiating its destruction. Secondly, the boys push a boulder into the water and describe it being “like a bomb.” (Golding, 24). It demonstrates that the boys enjoy destroying the island, for even in fun and games mans destructive nature is present. Thirdly, the peak of the boys destructive to nature instinct is present at the end of the novel when the boys set the forest on fire in order to find Ralph, “Smoke was seeping through the branches in white and yellow wisps, the path of blue sky overhead turned into color of storm cloud..”(Golding, 180) . The forests fire set mans ultimate disrespect to nature, and demonstrated mans and societies fault of destruction to nature. Overall, through out the novel mans defect of destruction of nature is present in their society and merely exposed by comparing the state of the island when they arrived, a beautiful paradise, to their departure, completely destroyed.
Moreover, both Jack and Ralph assume leadership positions in the novel,