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Lord of The Flies: Conflict Between Ralph and Jack
Mikeal Jones
Throughout William Goldings novel Lord of The Flies there is an
ever present conflict between two characters. Ralph's character combines
common sense with a strong desire for civilized life. Jack, however, is an
antagonist with savage instincts which he cannot control. Ralph's goals to
achieve a team unit with organization are destroyed by Jack's actions and
words that are openly displayed to the boys. The two leaders try to
convince the boys that their way of survival is correct. They continue
this desire for control while turning down each other's decisions and ideas.
The back and forth conflicts of opinion are what makes life chaos on the
island. The boys are drawn away from a civilized way of living.
Comments made by Ralph and Jack show the boys that Jack is
resorting to savagery. Ralph and Jack both agree in the beginning while
they are reasoning in a civil manner. Throughout the novel the two leaders
stray from one another because of differences in motivation. Jack told the
boys “We've got to decide about being rescued” (Golding, 20). This
statement illustrates Jack's civilized concern for the whole group. Jack
seems to put the group before himself. This unselfish concern soon
dissolves as the internal beast prevails over the civil Jack. “I ought to
be chief because I'm chapter chorister and I can sing C sharp,” (Golding,
21) displays Jacks own arrogance. After the boys accept Ralph as chief,
Ralph gives power over the choir boys to Jack. “The choir belongs to you,
of course,” (Golding, 21) Ralph's unselfish act of giving Jack rule over
the choir boys is a way of keeping peace between the two groups and between
Jack.
Ralph and Jack go exploring and return with the conclusion that the
island can support all of the boys. Ralph insists on building a signal
fire. Ralph gains the support of the boys. The boys immediately run to
the top of the mountain to gather firewood. Jack later belittles the fire
and feels that hunting for meat is more important. Jack is only thinking
of their present problems. Ralph is looking for solutions to long-term
threats. Ralph knows “we need hunters to get us meat, “(Golding, 31). This
responsibility is quickly accepted by Jack and the choir. Ralph informs
the boys in a meeting that “there aren't any grownups,” and they “have to
look after themselves” (Golding, 31). Ralph displays a concern for the
group to work as one. Without a group unit working together, the boys will
fall apart. In some aspects Jack does mean well for the group. He does,
however, show signs of his savagery. “We'll have rules! Lots of rules!”
(Golding, 31). Jack shows that he understands the necessity for order.
Jack then adds, in his savage way of thinking, “then when anyone breaks ‘
em...” (Golding, 31). Jack is aware of the need for organization in the
group but, then threatens the boys. Jack's motivations and intentions are
all wrong. Jack starts to lose his civilized attitude as the inner bestial
instinct, which he cannot suppress, begins to prevail.
Again Ralph's quest for an organized, stable group is displayed in
his statement “we can't have everybody talking at once” (Golding, 31).
Ralph has identified a major problem. Through Ralph's strong leadership
skills and past experiences, he suggests “having ‘Hands up' like at school”
(Golding, 31). Ralph logically puts a group such as a school class, which
has some organization, into the current situation. The boys also use the
conch but, it starts to be disliked by Jack. The power given to Ralph when
he possesses the conch is overwhelming to Jack. Jack strives for power in
other ways. Jack feels he gains power and control by taking power and
order from Ralph. Ralph doesn't intentionally put anyone down. Jack
builds himself up by tearing others down.
Ralph's goal for a team unit is never actually fulfilled. Could
Ralph have led the boys until rescue if Jack's character was removed from
the story? Would the boys have considered the savage life? Ralph's early
comparison of the island to Treasure Island or Coral Island was a far cry
from what they experienced. The savage instinct gains control of Jack.
Ralph is the true leader from start to finish. Jack may have been more
successful in leadung, however, Ralph led for the best of the group.
Ralph is over all the best leader and keeps his head pure and would not
conform to the savage lifestyle.
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