A lack of leadership and authority will cause a competition for power. These competitions consist of individuals trying to obtain the power that allows them to influence and direct the actions of others. Those who are seeking power must choose how they will obtain the leadership role and the control that comes with the position. Lord of the Flies explores the struggle for power between characters that use different approaches to gain control. Power was achieved in Lord of the Flies through respect, through persuasion, and through violence.
To begin, power was earned through respect in Lord of the Flies. A leader can earn this type of power when they perform a heroic deed or an act that benefits society. Ralph was able to receive power through …show more content…
The conch, which was a symbol of civilization and order in Lord of the Flies, was in Ralph’s possession which made him an obvious choice for leadership. At the time, Ralph’s experience and qualifications for leadership were not relevant. The boys looked at Ralph for guidance because he was the first character to show leadership qualities through his use of the conch. Ralph managed to save the boys from the depths of the jungle by blowing the conch which was a heroic act that the boys were grateful for. Ralph’s attractive appearance assisted him in obtaining power as well. The boys developed a greater admiration towards Ralph rather than Jack because Ralph possessed a strong and nice looking appearance. Ralph’s caring nature for the boys’ safety and his dependable appearance allowed him to achieve power through respect. Also, Ralph managed to receive control by including all of the boys in the assembly. While giving out assignments, Ralph concluded that Jack should be in charge of the choir. He asked Jack what his choir will be to which Jack responded hunters. Ralph’s way of including Jack and giving him a portion of the power caused “Jack and Ralph [to] smile at each other with shy …show more content…
This method is commonly used by an individual who is trying to overthrow the current leader by reasoning with the leader’s followers. The individual who overthrew the leader will then seem suitable to have power. In Lord of the Flies, Jack became annoyed by Ralph’s work oriented leadership style and the way he was “sitting there telling people what to do” (98). This caused Jack to question Ralph’s leadership because “Ralph can’t hunt [and] Ralph can’t sing” (98). Ralph defends himself because “[he is] chief [and he was] chosen” (98); however, Jack thinks that “choosing [should not] make any difference” (98). Jack felt that he was better suited for the role as the chief so he explained to the boys why Ralph was not a successful leader. Jack diminished the power that Ralph had in order to satisfy his craving for control. He used his capabilities, talents, and carefree attitude to obtain power and take the away the control that Ralph had achieved at the beginning of the book. After his speech, Jack seemed like a better fit for the position of chief which caused the many boys in Ralph’s tribe to side with Jack. Jack’s persuasion allowed him to become the chief of a new tribe that he created on the other side of the island away from Ralph’s now impuissant group. Jack also used his gift of persuasion to recruit new boys for his tribe. While running down the beach, Jack informed Ralph’s tribe that his boys “hunt and
To begin, power was earned through respect in Lord of the Flies. A leader can earn this type of power when they perform a heroic deed or an act that benefits society. Ralph was able to receive power through …show more content…
The conch, which was a symbol of civilization and order in Lord of the Flies, was in Ralph’s possession which made him an obvious choice for leadership. At the time, Ralph’s experience and qualifications for leadership were not relevant. The boys looked at Ralph for guidance because he was the first character to show leadership qualities through his use of the conch. Ralph managed to save the boys from the depths of the jungle by blowing the conch which was a heroic act that the boys were grateful for. Ralph’s attractive appearance assisted him in obtaining power as well. The boys developed a greater admiration towards Ralph rather than Jack because Ralph possessed a strong and nice looking appearance. Ralph’s caring nature for the boys’ safety and his dependable appearance allowed him to achieve power through respect. Also, Ralph managed to receive control by including all of the boys in the assembly. While giving out assignments, Ralph concluded that Jack should be in charge of the choir. He asked Jack what his choir will be to which Jack responded hunters. Ralph’s way of including Jack and giving him a portion of the power caused “Jack and Ralph [to] smile at each other with shy …show more content…
This method is commonly used by an individual who is trying to overthrow the current leader by reasoning with the leader’s followers. The individual who overthrew the leader will then seem suitable to have power. In Lord of the Flies, Jack became annoyed by Ralph’s work oriented leadership style and the way he was “sitting there telling people what to do” (98). This caused Jack to question Ralph’s leadership because “Ralph can’t hunt [and] Ralph can’t sing” (98). Ralph defends himself because “[he is] chief [and he was] chosen” (98); however, Jack thinks that “choosing [should not] make any difference” (98). Jack felt that he was better suited for the role as the chief so he explained to the boys why Ralph was not a successful leader. Jack diminished the power that Ralph had in order to satisfy his craving for control. He used his capabilities, talents, and carefree attitude to obtain power and take the away the control that Ralph had achieved at the beginning of the book. After his speech, Jack seemed like a better fit for the position of chief which caused the many boys in Ralph’s tribe to side with Jack. Jack’s persuasion allowed him to become the chief of a new tribe that he created on the other side of the island away from Ralph’s now impuissant group. Jack also used his gift of persuasion to recruit new boys for his tribe. While running down the beach, Jack informed Ralph’s tribe that his boys “hunt and