Arthur Shevick Mr.Reed English February 15, 2023 Title of Your Report William Golding’s “Lord of The Flies'' is a story that highlights the rise of evilness and the decline of human nature when a group of boys are left stranded on an island. We see a reality that man isn't born evil nor innocent, but it is his experiences that shift his conscience to love or to hate. In Golding’s novel, Jack is a character who loses touch with reality and turns to savagery and violence in times of distress and chaos. The first encounter with Jack in the novel displays the authority he already has over a group of choir boys previous to being stranded on the island. From the start, Jack wanted to continue his role in power. He says, “I ought to be chief... …show more content…
Their experiences previously shaped them into the character they became. We see this presented in the story when Ralph has dreams about missing home back in England. He envies his past life and remembers it as “good-hummered and friendly”(160). Also in chapter seven, during his daydream, he refers to his parents as “Mummy” and “Daddy”(160). Ralph clearly finds comfort in his old life. When comparing Ralph’s sweet childhood and Jack’s position as a leader, we begin to realize that their situations before the island had all the influence on what kind of people they became. We see what happens next when both are exposed to isolation and the absence of an authoritative figure. Even though Ralph is elected leader, Jack still demands obedience as a leader and doesn’t know how to carry himself when he isn’t one. On the other side, Ralph only wants what is best for the island and getting rescued. In chapter 2, Ralph says, “Any day there may be a ship out there… and if we have a signal going they’ll come and take us off. And another thing. We ought to have more rules”(58) This quote puts forth a very mature view of Ralph. He inspires hope in everyone by talking about potential rescue, while also laying down a standard for rules and order on the island This suggests that Jack and Ralph’s actions in the end were products of their previous life