Contrasting the characters Ral
Contrasting the characters RalContrasting the Characters Ralph and Jack
Ralph and Jack are both powerful and meaningful characters in William Golding's classic novel, Lord of the Flies. Ralph is an excellent leader; responsible, and stands for all that is good. Jack is a destructive hunter, selfish, and represents evil. These two main characters can be compared by the actions they take as leaders, their personalities, and what they symbolise in the story.
Ralph first takes on the position as leader at the beginning of the story, when the rest of the boys vote him in as chief. He carries this position until Jack and his fellow hunters break away from the group. Ralph makes it his job to set out the rules to organise a society. Ralph always thinks of what is best for everyone and how they will all benefit from his decisions. Jack, on the other hand, takes on the idea of every man for himself. Rules and standards are set when Ralph is the chief. He orders the group to build the basic necessities of civilisation, shelters, and most importantly to keep the fire going, in hope that they will be rescued and return to humanity. " But I tell you that smoke is more important than the pig, however often you kill one (Golding pg .75)" Jack on the other hand, does not care about making homes, only about hunting. When Jack is the leader, evil takes over and all good is destroyed. Under Jack's power both Simon and Piggy are killed.
Just the two characters decisions clash, so do their personalities. Jack is unkind, caring about no one but himself and how he can benefit. Jack simply wants to hunt and have a good time. He makes fun of Piggy, humiliating him, making him feel small and unworthy. "...You would, would you? Fatty....and Jack smacked Piggy's head. (Golding pg. 78)" Unlike Jack, Ralph is caring and considerate, being kinder to Piggy, making friends with him and constantly confiding in him. Jack is a lost boy who begins to discover the evil within him. When he proposes to the group that he should be the new chief, they do not respond in his favour, and Jack runs away, hurt and rejected. He swallows his hurt ego and throws all of his energy into the only thing he seems to know how to do - hunting. He puts on face paint and hides his conscience. This changes him into a savage; an evil, violent monster. The colourful mask allows Jack to forget everything he was taught back in England. "...the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness (Golding pg. 69)." As the plot progresses he becomes less and less attached to any societal norms. Near the end of the...
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