conflict between the character Jack and Ralph in Goldings " Lord of the Flies"
Throughout William Goldings novel Lord of The Flies there is an ever present
conflict between two characters. Ralph's character combines common sense with a strong
desire for civilized life. Jack, however, is an antagonist with savage instincts which he
cannot control. Ralph's goals to achieve a team unit with organization are destroyed by
Jack's actions and words that are openly displayed to the boys. The two leaders try to
convince the boys that their way of survival is correct. They continue this desire for
control while turning down each other's decisions and ideas. The back and forth conflicts
of opinion are what makes life chaos on the island. The boys are drawn away from a
civilized way of living.
Comments made by Ralph and Jack show the boys that Jack is resorting to
savagery. Ralph and Jack both agree in the beginning while they are reasoning in a civil
manner. Throughout the novel the two leaders stray from one another because of
differences in motivation. Jack told the boys "We've got to decide about being rescued"
(Golding, 20). This statement illustrates Jack's civilized concern for the whole group.
Jack seems to put the group before himself. This unselfish concern soon dissolves as the
internal beast prevails over the civil Jack. "I ought to be chief because I'm chapter
chorister and I can sing C sharp," (Golding, 21) displays Jacks own arrogance. After the
boys accept Ralph as chief, Ralph gives power over the choir boys to Jack. "The choir
belongs to you, of course," (Golding, 21) Ralph's unselfish act of giving Jack rule over
the choir boys is a way of keeping peace between the two groups and between Jack.
Ralph and Jack go exploring and return with the conclusion that the island can
support all of the boys. Ralph insists on building a signal fire. Ralph gains the support of
the boys. The boys immediately run to the top of the mountain to gather firewood. Jack
later belittles the fire and feels that hunting for meat is more
conflict between two characters. Ralph's character combines common sense with a strong
desire for civilized life. Jack, however, is an antagonist with savage instincts which he
cannot control. Ralph's goals to achieve a team unit with organization are destroyed by
Jack's actions and words that are openly displayed to the boys. The two leaders try to
convince the boys that their way of survival is correct. They continue this desire for
control while turning down each other's decisions and ideas. The back and forth conflicts
of opinion are what makes life chaos on the island. The boys are drawn away from a
civilized way of living.
Comments made by Ralph and Jack show the boys that Jack is resorting to
savagery. Ralph and Jack both agree in the beginning while they are reasoning in a civil
manner. Throughout the novel the two leaders stray from one another because of
differences in motivation. Jack told the boys "We've got to decide about being rescued"
(Golding, 20). This statement illustrates Jack's civilized concern for the whole group.
Jack seems to put the group before himself. This unselfish concern soon dissolves as the
internal beast prevails over the civil Jack. "I ought to be chief because I'm chapter
chorister and I can sing C sharp," (Golding, 21) displays Jacks own arrogance. After the
boys accept Ralph as chief, Ralph gives power over the choir boys to Jack. "The choir
belongs to you, of course," (Golding, 21) Ralph's unselfish act of giving Jack rule over
the choir boys is a way of keeping peace between the two groups and between Jack.
Ralph and Jack go exploring and return with the conclusion that the island can
support all of the boys. Ralph insists on building a signal fire. Ralph gains the support of
the boys. The boys immediately run to the top of the mountain to gather firewood. Jack
later belittles the fire and feels that hunting for meat is more