According to psychologist Solomon Asch’s social conformity theory, people strive to fit in with and be accepted by those around them. In castaway novel Lord of The Flies, author William Golding demonstrates how this theory applies to two polar opposites: a socially-inept intellectual and a jealous yet aspiring leader.
From the beginning of his stay on the island, Piggy is ridiculed and mocked by the other boys for his appearance as well as for the way he behaves. While the boys are learning each other’s names, Jack yells at Piggy, saying, “shut up, Fatty” (Golding 21). After this defining moment, Piggy is plagued by self-esteem issues and the need to feel accepted by his fellow island inhabitants. He constantly strives for validation, lusting after praise and confirmation that his presence on the island is indeed useful and appreciated. After Jack leaves the group, Piggy is eventually able to make a significant contribution to the island civilization – he suggests that “a fire …show more content…
Ralph and Jack, two older boys, both want to be the leader, but Ralph wins through a democratic vote. Once it becomes clear that Ralph has won, “the freckles on Jack’s face disappear under a blush of mortification” (Golding 23). Throughout the rest of the book, Jack constantly strives to be accepted by the boys as a true leader. Eventually, he even asks for another vote, saying, “hands up [...] whoever wants Ralph not the be chief” (Golding 127). Faced with the reality that none of the boys voted for Ralph’s impeachment, “the red drain[s] from [his] cheeks, then c[omes] back with a painful rush. [...] Humiliating tears [... run] from the corner of each eye” (Golding 127). Unable to conform to the boys’ visions of an ideal leader, Jack regresses to a life of savagery and violence, by “go[ing] into the forest [...] and hunt[ing]” (Golding 133) and
From the beginning of his stay on the island, Piggy is ridiculed and mocked by the other boys for his appearance as well as for the way he behaves. While the boys are learning each other’s names, Jack yells at Piggy, saying, “shut up, Fatty” (Golding 21). After this defining moment, Piggy is plagued by self-esteem issues and the need to feel accepted by his fellow island inhabitants. He constantly strives for validation, lusting after praise and confirmation that his presence on the island is indeed useful and appreciated. After Jack leaves the group, Piggy is eventually able to make a significant contribution to the island civilization – he suggests that “a fire …show more content…
Ralph and Jack, two older boys, both want to be the leader, but Ralph wins through a democratic vote. Once it becomes clear that Ralph has won, “the freckles on Jack’s face disappear under a blush of mortification” (Golding 23). Throughout the rest of the book, Jack constantly strives to be accepted by the boys as a true leader. Eventually, he even asks for another vote, saying, “hands up [...] whoever wants Ralph not the be chief” (Golding 127). Faced with the reality that none of the boys voted for Ralph’s impeachment, “the red drain[s] from [his] cheeks, then c[omes] back with a painful rush. [...] Humiliating tears [... run] from the corner of each eye” (Golding 127). Unable to conform to the boys’ visions of an ideal leader, Jack regresses to a life of savagery and violence, by “go[ing] into the forest [...] and hunt[ing]” (Golding 133) and