Savagery In Lord Of The Flies By William Golding
Ever wonder how the world would be without government? Well many authors, including William Golding, has been exploring this idea. In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the author presents Jack Merridew. When a plane during wartime crashes onto an uncharted island in the Pacific, a group of boys get stranded. At first the boys enjoy their freedom without grownups, but fear of a mysterious beast causes problems. Order within the boys collapse when Jack and his separate group unleash their savage impulses (represented by the Lord of the Flies) and causes havoc on the island. As an arrogant British child, Jack Merridew shows his character through his motivation to become a powerful leader and his growing desire for meat and violence--that soon develops into savagery.
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But who is Jack Merridew?
What is seen in the novel is that he goes from a vain, spiteful boy into a violent and bloodthirsty savage. Early on, Jack follows the moral rights that are instilled in him. But when he encounters a pig and fails to kill it, he begins to be obsessed with killing pigs.“ He [Jack] tried to convey the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up.” (Golding 51) He paints his face like a barbarian and hunts like an animal. His group of boys does the same. Later on, Jack and the boys’ savagery cannot be contained and they kill Simon. Also, Roger, Jack’s right-hand man, pushes a rock onto Piggy and causes him to fall to his death. Jack’s savage behavior has let the boys know the darkness in
themselves.
While Jack himself is violent and cruel, he wants power to control others and make them like himself. As soon as he is introduced, we see that he is fierce and hard on his choir group. Many of the boys thought that it was obvious or made sense for him to become the chief. “ ‘I ought to be chief,’ said Jack in simple arrogance, ‘because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp.’ ” (Golding 22) When Ralph is elected, Jack is mortified, but temporarily satisfied with being in charge of the choir--whom Jack deems hunters. But whenever Ralph call meetings, Jack never fails to scorn the conch--scorn Ralph’s authority. After Jack became barbarian-like, he uses the group’s fear of the beast to manipulate their actions. “The mask compelled them.” (Golding 64) This says that the more savage Jack becomes, the more Jack can control them. He resolves to take out anyone in his way (Ralph). Jack does not want to be the leader anymore, he is going for the position of...dictator.
In conclusion, Jack is a boy who loves violence and being the authority. Jack not only hunts pigs, he hunts humans. Destroying Piggy and the order on the island was no accident. Jack represents the darkness of man’s heart, and all should learn how he is an example of mankind without law and guidance--stripped of all morality.
But who is Jack Merridew?
What is seen in the novel is that he goes from a vain, spiteful boy into a violent and bloodthirsty savage. Early on, Jack follows the moral rights that are instilled in him. But when he encounters a pig and fails to kill it, he begins to be obsessed with killing pigs.“ He [Jack] tried to convey the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up.” (Golding 51) He paints his face like a barbarian and hunts like an animal. His group of boys does the same. Later on, Jack and the boys’ savagery cannot be contained and they kill Simon. Also, Roger, Jack’s right-hand man, pushes a rock onto Piggy and causes him to fall to his death. Jack’s savage behavior has let the boys know the darkness in
themselves.
While Jack himself is violent and cruel, he wants power to control others and make them like himself. As soon as he is introduced, we see that he is fierce and hard on his choir group. Many of the boys thought that it was obvious or made sense for him to become the chief. “ ‘I ought to be chief,’ said Jack in simple arrogance, ‘because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp.’ ” (Golding 22) When Ralph is elected, Jack is mortified, but temporarily satisfied with being in charge of the choir--whom Jack deems hunters. But whenever Ralph call meetings, Jack never fails to scorn the conch--scorn Ralph’s authority. After Jack became barbarian-like, he uses the group’s fear of the beast to manipulate their actions. “The mask compelled them.” (Golding 64) This says that the more savage Jack becomes, the more Jack can control them. He resolves to take out anyone in his way (Ralph). Jack does not want to be the leader anymore, he is going for the position of...dictator.
In conclusion, Jack is a boy who loves violence and being the authority. Jack not only hunts pigs, he hunts humans. Destroying Piggy and the order on the island was no accident. Jack represents the darkness of man’s heart, and all should learn how he is an example of mankind without law and guidance--stripped of all morality.