In William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, through differences between Jack and Ralph’s goals, thoughts, and actions Golding compares Jack’s rising power over Ralph on the island to assert that the instinct of savagery in humans prevails over civility when no rules are present. Ralph is a character who represents civility and order in humans while leading a group of young boys on an island. Ralph's overall consideration for the group’s need for shelter, food, and water displays his care for those around him, even in a lawless environment. However, Ralph’s concern for others’ welfare is in contrast to that of Jack’s. Jack is a representation of the savage nature that exists in human beings. Jack’s encouragement for the boys on the island
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Throughout the novel, Jack’s savagery is expressed through his thirst for killing, blatant disregard of others wellbeing, and insistent hatred for the character of Piggy, ultimately leading to Piggy’s death. Jack’s savagery takes such control of him that he creates a dictatorship where he alone can decide the rules and punishes others without reason. In resemblance, Ralph also has this cruel nature buried within him which arises multiple times. For instance, Ralph was overtaken by the savage instinct buried within him when reenacting a hunt with another boy playing the part of a pig. Ralph “too was fighting to get near, to get a handful of that brown, vulnerable flesh. The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering.” (Golding, 115). Ralph’s desire to kill, tear flesh, and be a participant in violence was due to the ferocious compulsion deep within himself. Ralph, who protected others from danger, who cared about whether his peers had food, who made sure others had shelter - was fighting to hurt the very people he wanted to protect. Ralph was fighting to inflict pain, and in this brief moment the savagery within him took over. Golding’s message that savagery is found in all is represented through this scene. A selfless boy turned into someone with a desire for pain and to
Throughout the novel, Jack’s savagery is expressed through his thirst for killing, blatant disregard of others wellbeing, and insistent hatred for the character of Piggy, ultimately leading to Piggy’s death. Jack’s savagery takes such control of him that he creates a dictatorship where he alone can decide the rules and punishes others without reason. In resemblance, Ralph also has this cruel nature buried within him which arises multiple times. For instance, Ralph was overtaken by the savage instinct buried within him when reenacting a hunt with another boy playing the part of a pig. Ralph “too was fighting to get near, to get a handful of that brown, vulnerable flesh. The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering.” (Golding, 115). Ralph’s desire to kill, tear flesh, and be a participant in violence was due to the ferocious compulsion deep within himself. Ralph, who protected others from danger, who cared about whether his peers had food, who made sure others had shelter - was fighting to hurt the very people he wanted to protect. Ralph was fighting to inflict pain, and in this brief moment the savagery within him took over. Golding’s message that savagery is found in all is represented through this scene. A selfless boy turned into someone with a desire for pain and to