Character Sketch - Jack Merridew

Jack Merridew, an English boy, is the antagonist of the novel and represents the direct opposite to Ralph. He is tall, redheaded and approximately twelve years old. From the beginning of the novel, Jack desires power above all other things. When the group of boys decided to elect a leader, Jack was upset, because Ralph became the leader. He is furious when he loses the election to Ralph and continually pushes the boundaries of his subordinate role in the group. “The freckles on Jack’s face disappeared under a blush of mortification.” (p.24) Instead of leading the whole group, Ralph asked Jack to be the leader of the choirboys, who will be the hunters. The first time Jack encountered a pig, he was not able to kill it, but soon he became obsessed with hunting. “He painted his face…” (pg.81) and he became more and more wild and violent, until he was always ready to fight…he cut the pig’s throat -”Jack primarily represents the instinct of savagery, violence and the desire of power. When Jack did not want Ralph to be leader anymore, most of the boys did not agree. Jack was angry about this situation. “I’m not going to play any longer. Not with you.” (pg.140), Jack said and stormed away to form his own group. Many of the boys followed him and Jack leads them from civilized boys into savages throughout the novel. He becomes increasingly wild, barbaric and cruel as the novel progresses. “Jack wrenched free and swung at Ralph with his spear.” (pg.196) The more savage Jack becomes, the more he is able to control the rest of the group. He is constantly violent and threatens those boys “below” him. Jack is getting out of control and leads his tribe towards Simon’s and Piggy’s murder. He brings the boys into mass hysteria and eventually almost hunts Ralph down. Jack gets strangely superstitious as he gives in to his savage yearnings; he insists that the boys leave offerings for the beast, “…this head is for the beast. It’s a gist.” (pg.224) He sits garlanded like a god at his