In the novel "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, leadership plays a crucial role in the survival of a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island. Through the character development of Ralph and Jack, the author portrays the contrasting leadership styles and their effects on the group. Ralph represents democratic leadership, while Jack represents autocratic leadership. Through their actions, the novel illustrates how leaders can influence others positively and negatively.
Firstly, Ralph is a democratic leader who values the opinions of others and encourages teamwork. He is elected as the group leader and can maintain order through his practical communication skills. On page 42, Ralph says, "We'll have rules!" "Lots of rules!" This shows
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He seeks power and control over the other boys, and his actions often lead to violence and chaos. On page 150, Jack says, "I'm the chief. I'll give orders!" This shows that he values his authority over the group's well-being. Jack's disregard for the opinions of others causes the group to become divided and leads to the eventual destruction of their community.
Furthermore, Ralph's leadership inspires the other boys to follow his example and work toward the common good. On page 54, the text describes how "the assembly applauded and rose to its feet" when Ralph presented his plan for creating a signal fire. This shows that the boys are motivated by Ralph's vision and are willing to work together to achieve it. Ralph's leadership style creates camaraderie and unity among the group, which allows them to overcome challenges.
In contrast, Jack's leadership style creates hostility and mistrust among the group. On page 110, the text describes how "Jack drew his knife... [and] slashed off the head." This shows that Jack's violent tendencies have escalated to the point where he is willing to kill. Jack's leadership style leads to breaking social norms and creating a dangerous environment for the other