Deference and Disdain: Reflective Essay
Respect from society is essential for any position of power. This idea can be seen throughout history. Specifically, King Louis XVI gradually lost his power because France’s view of him was negative. France as a whole did not respect his skills as a leader and King Louis ultimately lost his power. Similarly, this idea of “respect equals power” is evident in William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies. In this realistic fiction novel about a group of schoolboys who get stranded on an island, the boys learn how society’s views and expectations affect their power within the society. Although it is argued that society’s view and expectation do not affect people’s power, people only come to power for three reasons: …show more content…
Unlike King Louis XVI who tried to escape the country when events were not pointing his way, Ralph, the chief of the island for a majority of the novel, is seen as a capable leader who will confront a problem head-on: “His voice was loud and savage, and struck them into silence. [. . .] Ralph brought his arm down, fist clenched, and his voice shook” (70). When someone, in this case Jack, messes up and costs the group something important, Ralph is not one to back down or let bygones be bygones. Ralph shows that he is confident in his decisions and strong enough to act on his thoughts. Though looked at as an overreaction at the time, the group of boys learns through this event that Ralph is not to be messed with. Ralph continues to be respected as person of power even though the community is starting to dislike his personality. On the other hand, Jack takes away power from Ralph towards the end of the novel in the same way: “A full effort would send the rock thundering down to the neck of land. Roger admired. ‘He’s [Jack] a proper chief, isn’t he?’” (159). Jack, getting tired of Ralph’s rule, begins to flex his power in every available moment. By doing so, he earned the respect of the rest of the boys, wrenching the power away from Ralph. He lost his power to Jack because Jack became more powerful and respected in the eyes of the boys. An individual is only as powerful as society makes
Respect from society is essential for any position of power. This idea can be seen throughout history. Specifically, King Louis XVI gradually lost his power because France’s view of him was negative. France as a whole did not respect his skills as a leader and King Louis ultimately lost his power. Similarly, this idea of “respect equals power” is evident in William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies. In this realistic fiction novel about a group of schoolboys who get stranded on an island, the boys learn how society’s views and expectations affect their power within the society. Although it is argued that society’s view and expectation do not affect people’s power, people only come to power for three reasons: …show more content…
Unlike King Louis XVI who tried to escape the country when events were not pointing his way, Ralph, the chief of the island for a majority of the novel, is seen as a capable leader who will confront a problem head-on: “His voice was loud and savage, and struck them into silence. [. . .] Ralph brought his arm down, fist clenched, and his voice shook” (70). When someone, in this case Jack, messes up and costs the group something important, Ralph is not one to back down or let bygones be bygones. Ralph shows that he is confident in his decisions and strong enough to act on his thoughts. Though looked at as an overreaction at the time, the group of boys learns through this event that Ralph is not to be messed with. Ralph continues to be respected as person of power even though the community is starting to dislike his personality. On the other hand, Jack takes away power from Ralph towards the end of the novel in the same way: “A full effort would send the rock thundering down to the neck of land. Roger admired. ‘He’s [Jack] a proper chief, isn’t he?’” (159). Jack, getting tired of Ralph’s rule, begins to flex his power in every available moment. By doing so, he earned the respect of the rest of the boys, wrenching the power away from Ralph. He lost his power to Jack because Jack became more powerful and respected in the eyes of the boys. An individual is only as powerful as society makes