Essay about LORD OF THE FLIES 1

LORD OF THE FLIES
Expository – Analytical Essay

INTRODUCTION

William Golding was born on September 19, 1911, in Cornwall, England. Golding’s experience in World War II had a profound effect on his view of humanity and its dark side. Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of English schoolboys stranded on a tropical island, who decline into chaos. Golding simply shows us what can happen to people when they are taken out of their urban environment and isolated on an island. Man will eventually revert to savage like behaviour as their basic necessities are stripped from them.

In World War II Golding would have been free from the rules and structures of civilized society. He would have experienced people going crazy and dying all around him. He would have struggled to keep his humanity and resist the urge to become savage. In the same way Ralph was the last non–savage boy in the group.

Jacks leadership qualities are best described as domineering, controlling and manipulative. His leadership skills enabled him to impart a sense of brotherhood in the group and form his own tribe. The tribal members, through fear and expectation, were continually forced to prove their worth to the tribe and do anything Jack asked of them. His leadership skills are best summed up as autocratic. He liked to rule and attain absolute power via any means, taking no account of other people's wishes or opinions.

ARGUMENT

Courageous, controlling and confident are the leadership qualities that best describe Jack.

Courageous: Jack showed courage, assertiveness and independence when circumstances got tough. He was prepared to confront and engage others who challenged his authority. His strong willed personality, rebellious attitude and domineering nature allowed him to become a self appointed leader. This is a mean but affective way of leading. We can see jacks strong will and confidence in this quote, "Shut up," said Ralph absently. He lifted the conch. "Seems to me we ought to have a chief to decide things." "A chief! A chief!" "I ought to be chief," said Jack with simple arrogance, "because I'm chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp." (Chapter 1, page 58). It's silly of Jack to think he should be leader just because he can sing a C sharp, but it’s probably even sillier that Ralph gets elected because he's cute and has the conch? “He (Ralph) is like Piggy. He says things like Piggy. He isn't a proper chief.” (Chapter 8, page 242). With this quote we can see that he is not afraid to put others down just to get a leadership role. To Jack, intelligence is incompatible with strength, and the latter is necessary for chiefdom.

Controlling: His organisational skills made him an effective delegator of tasks. He was able to determine what roles best suited the boys. Some acted as his bodyguard, others hunters and guards. As the book progresses we see a Jack’s group form and grow. Jack paints his group of hunters with blood and paint to make them look more savage. This was a smart move by Jack as it made the group of boys look strong, which appealed to the other boys not in his group. By joining Jack’s group the younger boys felt more protected from danger. The following quote shows how Jack used fear and manipulation scare the boys so they would seek for help. "I expect the beast disguised himself." "…We'd better keep on the right side of him, anyhow. You can't tell what he might do." The tribe considered this; and then were shaken, as if by a flow of wind. The chief saw the effect of his words and stood abruptly. (Chapter 10, page 304). Golding shows us through Jack that fear can be used as a powerful tool for ruling society. Jack after all, rules through power, fear and violence.

Confident: The other boys were naturally drawn to Jack’s confidence, self-assuredness and survival ability. He was a true leader who could take charge when the need arose. “You're no

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