Power In Lord Of The Flies Research Paper
Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” Power was given to some of the characters in Willian Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Specifically Jack, Ralph, and Roger. Near the end of the book, these characters were extremely abusive. Anyone who holds power will have the urge to abuse it. This is shown in the book. Abuse and misuse of power is seen in the Lord of the Flies characters, Ralph, Jack, and Roger.
Ralph, the intelligent and charming leader of the group, abused his power. He verbally abused Piggy multiple times. He insulted him by calling him “Piggy” after he was asked not to. “Piggy’s glasses were misted again--this time with humiliation…’About being called Piggy. …show more content…
He was elected as the leader of the hunters and led nearly all of the characters at the end of the book. Jack used the beast to frighten the boys, which helped him keep his power. “ ‘I’m going up to the mountains to look for the beast’ ” (119). By claiming that the beast was real and promising safety, the boys saw Jack as a leader figure. Jack essentially used the beast to gain power. Jack also abused his power by hurting his own followers. Once, he tied Wilfred and beat him. “ ‘He’s going to beat Wilfred.’ ‘What for?’ Robert shook his head doubtfully.’I don’t know. He didn’t say. He got angry and made us tie Wilfred up.’ ” (159). Jack used violence against a hunter for no reason. Golding uses symbolism to display Jack. When Jack beat Wilfred, he was “...naked to his waist, his face blocked out in white and red.” (160). Nudity and painted faces are symbols for savagery and rejection of civilization. Jack, the leader of the savage hunters, abused his power by using fear and violence for control.
Every individual who holds power will exploit it. Abuse of power is seen in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Roger’s violence toward the littluns, Ralph’s cruel insults to Piggy, and Jack’s generation of fear are all examples of power abuse in the book. It’s frightening that even the best leaders can abuse their
Ralph, the intelligent and charming leader of the group, abused his power. He verbally abused Piggy multiple times. He insulted him by calling him “Piggy” after he was asked not to. “Piggy’s glasses were misted again--this time with humiliation…’About being called Piggy. …show more content…
He was elected as the leader of the hunters and led nearly all of the characters at the end of the book. Jack used the beast to frighten the boys, which helped him keep his power. “ ‘I’m going up to the mountains to look for the beast’ ” (119). By claiming that the beast was real and promising safety, the boys saw Jack as a leader figure. Jack essentially used the beast to gain power. Jack also abused his power by hurting his own followers. Once, he tied Wilfred and beat him. “ ‘He’s going to beat Wilfred.’ ‘What for?’ Robert shook his head doubtfully.’I don’t know. He didn’t say. He got angry and made us tie Wilfred up.’ ” (159). Jack used violence against a hunter for no reason. Golding uses symbolism to display Jack. When Jack beat Wilfred, he was “...naked to his waist, his face blocked out in white and red.” (160). Nudity and painted faces are symbols for savagery and rejection of civilization. Jack, the leader of the savage hunters, abused his power by using fear and violence for control.
Every individual who holds power will exploit it. Abuse of power is seen in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Roger’s violence toward the littluns, Ralph’s cruel insults to Piggy, and Jack’s generation of fear are all examples of power abuse in the book. It’s frightening that even the best leaders can abuse their