Ralph And Jack's Leadership In Lord Of The Flies
In William Golding's, ‘Lord of the Flies’ there is a constant leadership struggle between Ralph and Jack. Ralph has proven himself to be the better leader of the two, by keeping his focus on keeping the signal fire going and building shelter, and maintaining some type of society and rule. Jack’s leadership style was militaristic, making others follow him by making them fear him. He was much more preoccupied with hunting and “The Beast” rather than getting rescued. The first example of contrast in Jack and Ralph’s is when the boys first arrive on the island. When Ralph gets introduced he finds Piggy and together they find the conch, they then use it as a beacon to draw everyone to them so they can see who all is present on the island and have
a meeting (16). Jack appears with his choir boys marching closely behind, following orders (20). They then had a vote on who should be “Chief”, Ralph won the election and asked who wanted what positions in this new ‘society’. Jack showing his tendencies for savagery chose that he and his choir boys be hunters. As the story progresses the split between Jack and Ralph grows larger when there they have an argument amongst themselves when Jack let the fire go out (69). Ralph saw a ship but couldn’t signal it due to no smoke for the signal. The boys later have another argument about the existence of a “beastie” where Jack breaks rules and breaks off with his own group (91-92).
After Jack has gotten most of the boys on the island in his tribe, he has them raid Ralph and Piggy while they were sleeping, they took Piggy’s glasses to start a fire. When Ralph went to confront Jack about the raid, there was an altercation that resulted in Jack’s men killing Piggy (181). After the altercation they would chase Ralph until he is running down the beach and finds a naval officer and they get saved.
Throughout the book Ralph has proven himself to be the the better and more responsible leader, he has prioritized safety, rescue, fire, and rules; opposed to Jack who has prioritized hunting, appeasing beasts, and getting people to follow him.
a meeting (16). Jack appears with his choir boys marching closely behind, following orders (20). They then had a vote on who should be “Chief”, Ralph won the election and asked who wanted what positions in this new ‘society’. Jack showing his tendencies for savagery chose that he and his choir boys be hunters. As the story progresses the split between Jack and Ralph grows larger when there they have an argument amongst themselves when Jack let the fire go out (69). Ralph saw a ship but couldn’t signal it due to no smoke for the signal. The boys later have another argument about the existence of a “beastie” where Jack breaks rules and breaks off with his own group (91-92).
After Jack has gotten most of the boys on the island in his tribe, he has them raid Ralph and Piggy while they were sleeping, they took Piggy’s glasses to start a fire. When Ralph went to confront Jack about the raid, there was an altercation that resulted in Jack’s men killing Piggy (181). After the altercation they would chase Ralph until he is running down the beach and finds a naval officer and they get saved.
Throughout the book Ralph has proven himself to be the the better and more responsible leader, he has prioritized safety, rescue, fire, and rules; opposed to Jack who has prioritized hunting, appeasing beasts, and getting people to follow him.