The Influence Of Jack In Lord Of The Flies

Trace the influence of Jack throughout the novel and note his relationship with Ralph. What does Jack represent?

Throughout the novel, Jack is the manipulative protagonist of the story and fundamentally represents a person’s natural instinct of savagery, violence and desire for power. Jack’s many influences in the story are always for his own benefits. At the beginning, Ralph is elected, and sparks Jack’s quest for power. Jack becomes a leader of only the choirboys and hunts with them. His relationship as a leader works well with Ralph in the beginning. However, Jack’s influence on the boys sets the relationship between him and Ralph because of their contrasting beliefs. Later on, he manipulates the boys in a series of events. Through the savagery, desire for power and manipulative figure Jack represents, he influences and destroys the civilized society Ralph has attempted to create.
Jack and his hunters become savages and are obsessed with killing the pig on the island, by devote all their time to hunting. Jack’s state of mind is changing as more time is spent on the island, and influences the others in the
group. He paints a mask on his face symbolizing the transformation from human to a, “stranger.” In doing so, he also influences the others in his group to change their psychological state of mind by masking their faces. When he looks at his reflection, he sees a completely different person who has changed from being civilized to uncivilized. Jack has started to become a savage when, “His laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling,” like a murderous animal. When the pig is killed, Jacks, “mind was crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it,” finally transforming Jack and his hunters into a savages. The relationship between Jack and Ralph is strained because Jack has influenced his group to become bloodthirsty animals who have failed to keep the signal fire going. As a result of Jack’s savagery and violence, he influences the group to forget about being rescued, and to not follow Ralph’s civilized rules. Throughout the story, Jack has a desire to become the leader of the island. Early on, he divides himself from the group of boys and forms his own group of hunters. As the leader of the hunters he is empowered with strength and fear that Ralph does not have. For example, whenever Ralph tries to impose his influence on the hunters, they can simply say that they are the ones providing meat for everyone. By using this influence and power, he convinces the little ones to join his group because he can also provide protection from the beast on the island. His relationship with Ralph is getting worse because Ralph is losing his voice as a leader; therefore Jack is gaining power and influence over the island. Jack’s desire for power influences everyone on the island to forget about any civilized qualities. Jack simply manipulates the boys on the island to gain more power.
During a meeting, he denies there is a beast, but secretly encourages an idea of a beast. The fear that spreads like wildfire makes everyone turn to Jack who can provide protection from the “beast.” His influence allows him to assume full control because he can provide a fundamental area of safety that Ralph cannot provide. He also manipulates the boys by putting Ralph on the spot by asking him if he is “scared of the beast.” The question makes the group of boys doubt Ralph as a leader because he also fears the beast and has no solution. Jack uses the idea of a beast to enhance his influence and control over the island. He reasons with everyone that his group of hunters can provide meat and protection. As a result, Jack influences everyone but Ralph, Simon and Piggy to become
hunters. Through the many influences Jack imposes on the island, his main goal is to acquire power and control. He changes everyone into savages and violent uncivilized boys by feeding their primal instinct to hunt and kill. The pig allows Jack to become a leader of the group of scavengers and bring out the violence in the boys. Jacks desire for power separates the society Ralph has attempted to create. This desire influences the power Ralph has over the boys. As a result, the desire leads to manipulation. Jack manipulates the boys into believing he can provide protection and food. When many of the boys join Jack, he has assumed full control of the island. In conclusion, the qualities that Jack represents, influences the savagery in all of the boys to overcome their civilized side.