Saturday, July 2, 2011

In Lord of the Flies, how does the character Jack show success?

Jack is successful as a hunter and as a leader. At the beginning of the story, when Jack first appears, he is leading the choir boys in a march across the beach toward the sound of the blowing conch. He is able to keep the boys literally in line, requiring them to march in formation with their hot clothes and caps on. Jack believes he should be elected chief of all the boys, but Ralph wins the election. However, Jack remains the leader of his choir boys, who become the hunters. When Jack later calls for a vote to remove Ralph from being chief, again the boys side with Ralph, causing Jack to leave the group and go off on his own. However, before the day has passed almost all the boys have flocked to him, joining him first in the hunt and then at his feast. Jack uses enticements, like having fun and eating meat, as well as intimidation, like beatings and stoking the boys' fears, to keep the boys loyal to him. 


Jack is also a successful hunter. Although at first he is squeamish about killing pigs and drawing blood, as early as chapter 3 he is devoting extra time and energy to learn how to track pigs. Once he has killed his first pig, he no longer fears, but rather enjoys, the taking of life and spilling of blood. Unfortunately, by the last chapter he is using his well-honed hunting skills to hunt Ralph with the intent to kill him.

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