So far in Lord of the Flies, there has been a clear focus on leadership. All of the boys feel the need for guidance, and quickly recognize the two most obvious leaders: Jack and Ralph. In chapter one, they vote Ralph chief, much to Jack's humiliation. They don't really know what it is about Ralph that makes him a leader, but it is explained in this way: "...there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive appearance; and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch." Still, Jack's arrogance and need for command don't go unnoticed, for one of Ralph's first decisions is to leave Jack in charge of the choir.
As the story progresses, Ralph's natural leadership is respected by the boys, but Jack continues to jump in and assert his assumed authority whenever and whereever possible. The two run as first- and second-in-command without incident until Jack's hunting party leaves the fire unattended at precisely the wrong moment. A ship sails by without a signal to beckon it to the island, and Ralph's anger is targeted at the failure of his closest counterpart. Jack's obsession with blood and meat leads him to argue the equal importance of his adventure. By the end of the quarrel, both boys are shocked by the wall of difference that has risen between them, and Ralph's loyalties shift to his new sidekick: Piggy.
The two boys continue to fight for power as the pages turn, Ralph usually ending up barely on top, panting and sweating from the struggle. The shouting and stubborn opinions begin to push the boys further away. Jack's arrogance and refusal to be proved wrong show a deep need to be awarded power for power's sake, while Ralph continues to focus on the greater good of their little community. I don't foresee this war for leadership being won definitely any time soon. The rift between the two leaders, one by title and one by force, has grown too deep to be sewn back together.
Awesome post MB! I do have to disagree with you on the last sentence. I believe that they boys are having such a problem with leadership, and also why it's a major conflict in the book, is because they desperatley need to fill the void of leadership from adults. I think that if the boys can work together, that would be a much better solution than a power struggle, and then giving up on ever resolving it.
ReplyDeleteGood detail MB! This really gave me a new look to the book. It answered some of my questions, but I think that the boys can solve their problem soon.
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