Barbarism In Lord Of The Flies

In William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies," a group of British boys is stranded on a deserted island and left to govern themselves without any adult supervision. The boys initially attempt to create a functioning society, but their efforts soon devolve into chaos and savagery. Ultimately, the majority of the boys are killed, and the survivors are rescued by a passing navy ship. While there are many factors that contribute to the boys' descent into barbarism, it is clear that Jack, one of the main characters, is primarily responsible for what happens on the island.

Firstly, Jack is responsible for the initial split in the boys' society. At the beginning of the novel, Ralph is elected as the leader of the group, and Jack is appointed as the leader of the hunters. However, Jack quickly becomes jealous of Ralph's authority and begins to undermine him at every opportunity. Jack consistently tries to gain power for himself, eventually leading a group of boys away from Ralph's leadership and forming his own tribe. This split creates an "us vs. them" mentality, causing conflict and violence between the two groups.

Unlike Ralph, who tries to lead by example and persuasion, Jack relies on intimidation and physical force. He establishes his authority through the use of fear, using the boys' fear of the beast to manipulate and control them. Jack encourages violence and bloodlust among his followers, turning them into savage hunters who delight in killing animals and later, humans. Jack's leadership style creates a culture of violence and aggression that ultimately leads to the deaths of several