Jack Merridew

Words: 800
Pages: 4
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Maddux McClymonds

Mr. Davis

Honors English 10-5

30 April 2024 The Boys William Golding’s allegorical novel Lord of the Flies follows the survival of a group of young boys on a deserted island, far from the comforts of civilization. Golding introduces a boy named Jack Merridew with eyes that are “ready to turn, to anger” (20), who controls his “obedient” (20) choir. Jack’s innate desire for power becomes apparent early in the novel, with his “arrogance” (22) leading him to believe that he “ought to be chief” (22). Instead, a “fair boy” (7) named Ralph is voted as chief, leaving Jack and his choir to become hunters. Through his portrayal of Jack Merridew, Golding instills the idea that without the weight of societal expectations pressing upon …show more content…
Further into the novel, Jack decides that he’s “not going to play any longer” (127), forming his own tribe, which eventually includes everyone on the island except for Ralph, Piggy, and a few others. Continuing Jack’s transition into violence, he and his hunters chase a sow nursing its piglets “wedded to her in lust” (135). Jack stabs the sow “with his knife” (135) until the pig lets out a “high-pitched scream” (135). Jack cuts the throat, letting the blood spout “over his hands” (135). Golding furthers Jack’s spiral into violence through his lack of contrition over his brutal killing of the sow. Jack’s tribe gradually becomes the dominant force on the island after he and his hunters decide to raid Ralph’s side of the island, stealing Piggy’s glasses, which Golding uses to demonstrate the shift in power between the boys. With the ability to light fires in his hand, Jack is able to take control of the island. After Ralph demands the return of the stolen glasses, Jack “[stabs] at Ralph’s chest with his spear” (173) without hesitation, furthering his inherently violent urges. Unwilling to receive criticism from those whom he disagrees, a boy named Roger leans “all his weight” (180) on a lever, causing a rock to strike Piggy “from
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