Okonkwo and Jack as Father Figures and their Desire for Power

Savage Flames:

Fiery Father Figures and the Burning Desire for Power

Power is frequently abused when in the hands of savage father figures, thus leading to the repression of weaker individuals. The inhumane acts committed by these tyrants not only exemplify their violent rashness, but also their fear of weakness. Jack of Lord of the Flies and Okonkwo from Things Fall Apart possess the ability and power to benefit others, yet their lack of humanity leads to the refusal to analyze situations sensibly, incapability of showing consideration, and constant use of excessive force. A desire for power leads to corruption and pushes Jack and Okonkwo to savage and overbearing behavior towards those who see them as father figures.
Jack Merridew, one of the leaders on an island full of stranded boys, lusts for power and places its importance above the well-being of others. In regards to keeping order on the island, Jack says, “We’ll have rules! Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks 'em—‘” (Golding 25). “But his desire for many controls did not of course extend to controls he disliked, to those over himself,” and after being accused of breaking the same rules he had once enforced, Jack responds with disinterest, thus showing he actually wants to subjugate others as opposed to helping them and keeping order on the island (Spitz). Deriving an unusual pleasure from punishment and torture, Jack enjoys tormenting other boys and reinforcing his supremacy. Believing that ferocity is the key to leadership, he criticizes Ralph, Jack’s enemy, and his leadership: “He’s like Piggy. He says things like Piggy. He isn't a proper chief” (Golding 126). Jack places strength over diplomacy, and he believes that since Ralph uses logic and reasoning, he should be condemned for it. Jack, even though he was “Defeated in an election, he took command of the hunters, the forces of naked power” (Spitz).Impressed by his ruthless ferocity and ability to hunt, the other boys respect him, and Jack takes advantage of their loyalty, leading to their unwinding humanity and emerging savagery.
Okonkwo, a distinguished member of his tribe, demands power and respect among his tribe members and family, as shown through his words and thoughts. While mentally criticizing his son, Okonkwo praises himself: “Perhaps he was not his son. No! He could not be. His wife had played him false. He would teach her! But Nwoye resembled his grandfather, Unoka, who was Okonkwo’s father. He pushed the thought out of his mind. He, Okonkwo, was called a flaming fire. How could he have begotten a woman for a son?” (Achebe 153). Okonkwo compares himself to a flame, a symbol of masculinity for its relentless movement, its intense heat, and its destructive power, and prides himself in being associated with this element. Okonkwo derives pleasure from praise, so feeling that his own masculinity is threatened by his son and father, he places blame on others and not once analyzes his own actions. After unceremoniously being exiled from his village, Okonkwo’s pride takes a strong blow and he begins to plan his future homecoming: “He was determined that his return should be marked by his people. He would return with a flourish, and regain the seven wasted years” (Achebe 171). Hungry for veneration even in alienation, Okonkwo’s mind is consumed with thoughts of redemption. Lacking consideration towards his family and those affected by his misdeed, Okonkwo thinks primarily of himself and his reputation. What Okonkwo does not understand is that the more he tries to affirm his power, the more he pushes others below, and eventually away, from him.
Desperate to dominate, Jack’s hatred of his enemy, Ralph, and his desire to rule the island are combined to fuel his savage behavior. After Jack describes the beast on the island as a shape shifter, many of the boys are struck with fear: “The tribe considered this; and then were shaken, as if by a flow of wind. The chief saw the effect of his words and stood abruptly” (Golding 142). Understanding the power of fear, Jack uses the beast as a means to instill terror in the boys and earn their dependency. According to Spitz, “In every society known to man, some men exercise power over others,” and Jack uses fear to govern the other boys, even going as far as making himself resemble a monster. Deciding to disguise himself for a hunt, Jack covers his face with chalk, using fierce colors such as red and black: “He looked in astonishment, no longer at himself but at an awesome stranger. He split the water and leapt to his feet, laughing excitedly. Beside the pool his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them” (Golding 63). Delighted by his own monstrosity, Jack basks in the horror of the other boys, but they soon succumb to the face paints and join his animalistic behavior. Jack allows the Lord of the Flies to drive him towards pathological violence, control him, and turn him into a monster, and that, combined with his thirst to control everything and everyone, creates the real beast on the island. Consumed by power and driven by the submit ion of the boys, Jack eventually loses the one thing that keeps him tied down: his humanity.
Okonkwo believes that asserting one’s dominance is necessary, and he uses overbearing behavior to gain the obedience and respect of others. When a man contradicts Okonkwo during a meeting, Okonkwo seizes the opportunity to insult him: “Without looking at the man Okonkwo had said, ’This meeting is for men.’ The man who had contradicted him had no titles. That was why he had called him a woman. Okonkwo knew how to kill a man’s spirit” (Achebe 26). By comparing the man to a woman, Okonkwo degrades him and satisfies his own patriarchal desires. Throughout the novel, Okonkwo uses insults and his domineering presence to gain control and undermine others, even if it means abusing loved ones. After accusing one of his wives of killing a plant, Okonkwo beats her heavily: “In his anger he had forgotten that it was the Week of Peace. His first two wives ran out in great alarm pleading with him that it was the sacred week. But Okonkwo was not the man to stop beating somebody half-way through, not even for fear of a goddess” (Achebe 29). So great is Okonkwo’s fear of showing weakness, that it overrides his fear of the gods and the resulting consequences. None of Okonkwo’s violent actions are necessary or admired by the clan, yet he believes he is preserving his role as an alpha male. Okonkwo’s delusions regarding power and the means to obtain it lead to his displays of impulsive, violent mannerisms.
Jack Merridew from the Lord of the Flies and Okonkwo from Things Fall Apart are both corrupted by their desire for power. They occupy positions where they can benefit others, but are sucked into a void of personal longings and uncertainties. Using fear and force to dominate those below them, they abuse their authority and mistreat those around them. Although their intentions are not evil, they are victims of the flaws in their shared outlook, and these flaws lead to the tragedy and the misfortune of others. For these reasons, Jack and Okonkwo can be considered examples of overbearing and savage father figures.

Works Cited
Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor, 1994. Print.
Golding, William, and Edmund L. Epstein. Lord of the Flies: A Novel. New York: Perigee, 1954. Print.
Spitz, David. "Power and Authority: An Interpretation of Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'." The Antioch Review 30.1 (Spring 1970): 21-33. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Roger Matuz and Cathy Falk. Vol. 58. Detroit: Gale Research, 1990. Literature Resource Center. Web. 1 May 2013.