Jack Vs Jack

It is often easy to overlook the severity of the impact that society has on mans’ moral conscience. Societal standards are so thoroughly ingrained in the progression of civilization that humans instinctively feel as though they are good by nature because they make seemingly moral decisions, yet they do not realize that their choices derive from the influence of society’s expectations more so than their own virtue. Since people are born into civilization, they behave accordingly throughout the entirety of their lives to what authoritative figures and society as a whole perceive as right and wrong; thus, their character and morality are shaped by society. Therefore, when you strip man of civilized ways and isolate him from society, he will instinctively

With a fragile concept of authority established, a heated power struggle between Ralph and Jack ensues because both boys prioritize different facets of civilization. Golding thoroughly depicts the contrast between Jack and Ralph as authoritative figures through their personal internal conflicts as well as their external actions. Ralph ultimately prioritizes rationality and organization to maintain a fire to “make smoke on top of the mountain” (Golding 38) in order to be rescued, demonstrating his eagerness to return to civilization. Jack, however, prioritizes having fun and hunting for meat for satisfaction and fulfillment, and “had to think for a moment before he could remember what rescue was” (Golding 53), demonstrating his indifference to being rescued; Jack revels in their newfound way of life because he has power over the other boys. This dissonance between the two leaders is what shatters any possibility of unity amongst the boys, and ultimately the boys “[shift their] allegiance to Jack because he has given them meat rather than something useless like fire” (Rosenfield). Jack is able to win the boys over from Ralph because he gives them what they want, and at this point. Similarly, when people elect official

The boys not only disagree on what the beast is but also how to deal with it. Initially, the older boys deny the existence of a beast at all, but “among the little ones [is] the doubt that [requires] more than rational assurance” (Golding 36). Ralph admits that this fearful disagreement is preventing them from residing in peace and order, saying that “‘things are breaking up...we began well…[and] then people started getting frightened’” (Golding 82). Simon, who represents genuine goodness of man, suggests that “‘maybe [the beast is] only us’” (Golding 89). His insightful suggestion is mocked and he is considered crazy because it is easier for the boys to comprehend a tangible monster lingering over them that could be killed rather than to accept “mankind’s essential illness” (Golding 89) which cannot be changed nor destroyed. Simon is isolated from the others because of his atypical insight and he simply “cannot be understood, for he speaks the language of truth to the blind” (Talon). When Simon is killed, it symbolizes the death of goodness in man, much like Christ: both are the epitome of good being destroyed as the consequence of man’s sins. People believe in Satan because they cannot comprehend the severity of man’s evil nature and would rather blame