In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, many young boys became stranded on a deserted island without any grownups. In the beginning, Ralph, the leader, warns everyone about the importance of having a fire with smoke in order for ships to find them. Not everyone agrees with his philosophy though; some think finding food is a more urgent matter. These boys create their own tribe led by a young boy named Jack. Through the development of Jack Merridew’s characterization, the author shows that humans will succumb to their animalistic ways when they do not have a set government. Jack is a naive head choir boy before he arrives at the island; by being stranded, Jack begins to adapt to the new environment and takes on characteristics of an animal. After Ralph tells Jack everyone's names and asks what his name is, Jack states, “Kids’ names, why should I be Jack? I’m Merridew” (Golding 21). In other …show more content…
After the group of boys are found, and the officer asks who the leader is, “ ‘I am’ said Ralph loudly. A little boy who wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair and carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still” (Golding 201). The little boy with the red hair is Jack. He is no longer this man to be feared, or this monstrous animal to avoid, he is once again a boy. As the character Jack demonstrates, without an authoritative figure or government, humans are quick to fall to their animalistic ways. Instantly, Jack began to act in ways he wouldn't if he were home. As soon as he is found, Jack starts acting like the boy he was before becoming stranded. People of power and governments have a strong influence on how people act. Without them, humans may act in ways they normally wouldn't; some may even say, like