In the Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, several characters demonstrate their leadership by establishing separate groups of children. Between all groups, the main characters, Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and Simon all highlight their strengths and exposes the weaknesses of their specific leadership style. With these contrasting leadership styles, a struggle for power emerges. Ralph, who is an authentic leader, focuses on creating a democratic body. Whereas Jack, who is an autocratic leader, wants ultimate control over the people. Piggy, a laissez-faire leader, prefers to make sure that everyone has genuine ideas. While Simon, who is a transitional leader, motivates and enlightens other members. The conflicting power dynamics between the boys serve
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However, under Ralph’s leadership, the group of kids is uninterested in their work. Unlike the amused hunters in Jack’s group, Ralph’s group of boys would, “keep running off…they’re off bathing, or eating, or playing…they work for five minutes, then wander or go hunting” (63). Ralph’s control over his people is weak because they lack interest in what he does. The littluns would rather fulfill their own desires of bathing, eating, and playing than work for Ralph. Since Ralph’s group of boys are inefficient at completing certain tasks, it shows how his leadership style is not as effective compared to Jack’s leadership style. Even at one point, Ralph succumbs to the thrill of Jack’s leadership. Ralph joins Jack in his hunt and Ralph, “carried away by a sudden thick excitement, grabbed Eric’s spear and jabbed” (159). At this moment, Ralph’s leadership begins to collapse since he is unable to maintain it. He, along with the other boys unknowingly enjoys Jack’s leadership, which means Jack’s style of leadership is more effective. Not only does Jack’s leadership makes work enjoyable to complete, but he also protects his people with his confident personality. During the earliest stages between each leadership, the presence of the “beastie” …show more content…
Due to the nature of the laissez-faire leadership, it contains very bright individuals and ideas but lacks control and continuous feedback. Piggy is an intelligent individual but because he favors this style of leadership, he lacks control and proper communication. As a result, the assertive jack can take advantage of him. When Piggy was suggesting ideas that Jack could have done to prevent the loss of fire, Jack “stuck his fist into Piggy’s stomach. Jack stood over him, His voice was vicious with humiliation…He smacked Piggy’s head…his glasses flew off” (94). Although this morally is a wrong thing to do, it shows Jack’s dominance over Piggy. After this incident, Jack, “loud and active, gave orders, sang, whistled, and threw remarks” to the boys to make a new fire (96). Instantly, all the kids begin to complete his instructions. Jack’s assertiveness allows him effectively make the boys do work, while Piggy is unable to. Throughout the novel, Piggy’s laisses-faire leadership further fails since he is incompetent at giving orders. When Piggy, for a short moment, was leading Ralph, he told him, “Do be quiet. You been making that noise again” (232). But, Ralph doesn’t listen and again makes a noise. On the other hand, Jack with assertiveness says, “We shall take fire from the others” (226). All the boys follow Jack’s
However, under Ralph’s leadership, the group of kids is uninterested in their work. Unlike the amused hunters in Jack’s group, Ralph’s group of boys would, “keep running off…they’re off bathing, or eating, or playing…they work for five minutes, then wander or go hunting” (63). Ralph’s control over his people is weak because they lack interest in what he does. The littluns would rather fulfill their own desires of bathing, eating, and playing than work for Ralph. Since Ralph’s group of boys are inefficient at completing certain tasks, it shows how his leadership style is not as effective compared to Jack’s leadership style. Even at one point, Ralph succumbs to the thrill of Jack’s leadership. Ralph joins Jack in his hunt and Ralph, “carried away by a sudden thick excitement, grabbed Eric’s spear and jabbed” (159). At this moment, Ralph’s leadership begins to collapse since he is unable to maintain it. He, along with the other boys unknowingly enjoys Jack’s leadership, which means Jack’s style of leadership is more effective. Not only does Jack’s leadership makes work enjoyable to complete, but he also protects his people with his confident personality. During the earliest stages between each leadership, the presence of the “beastie” …show more content…
Due to the nature of the laissez-faire leadership, it contains very bright individuals and ideas but lacks control and continuous feedback. Piggy is an intelligent individual but because he favors this style of leadership, he lacks control and proper communication. As a result, the assertive jack can take advantage of him. When Piggy was suggesting ideas that Jack could have done to prevent the loss of fire, Jack “stuck his fist into Piggy’s stomach. Jack stood over him, His voice was vicious with humiliation…He smacked Piggy’s head…his glasses flew off” (94). Although this morally is a wrong thing to do, it shows Jack’s dominance over Piggy. After this incident, Jack, “loud and active, gave orders, sang, whistled, and threw remarks” to the boys to make a new fire (96). Instantly, all the kids begin to complete his instructions. Jack’s assertiveness allows him effectively make the boys do work, while Piggy is unable to. Throughout the novel, Piggy’s laisses-faire leadership further fails since he is incompetent at giving orders. When Piggy, for a short moment, was leading Ralph, he told him, “Do be quiet. You been making that noise again” (232). But, Ralph doesn’t listen and again makes a noise. On the other hand, Jack with assertiveness says, “We shall take fire from the others” (226). All the boys follow Jack’s