Denouncing the rules of order, Jack declares, "We don't need the conch any more. Jack assigns a high value only to those who he finds useful or agreeable to his views and looks to silence those who do not please him. In defense, he offers to the group a rationale that "He'd never have got us meat," asserting that hunting skills make for an effective leader. In trying to get Ralph impeached, he uses his rhetorical skills to twist Ralph's words. The dictator in Jack becomes dominant in his personality during the panic over the beast sighting on the mountain. He quickly loses interest in that world of politeness and boundaries, which is why he feels no compunction to keep the fire going or attend to any of the other responsibilities for the betterment or survival of the group. On the island, however, that social conditioning fades rapidly from Jack's character. Their entire lives in the other world, the boys had been moderated by rules set by society against physical aggression. For him, the conch represents the rules and boundaries that have kept him from acting on the impulses to dominate others. Yet he uses the conch to his advantage when possible, such as when he calls his own assembly to impeach Ralph. He frequently impugns the power of the conch, declaring that the conch rule does not matter on certain parts of the island. The conflict on the island begins with Jack attempting to dominate the group rather than working with Ralph to benefit it. His domain is the emotions, which rule and fuel his animal nature. Hunting develops the savagery that already ran close to his surface, making him "ape-like" as he prowls through the jungle. ![]() His main interest is hunting, an endeavor that begins with the desire for meat and builds to the overwhelming urge to master and kill other living creatures. He is eager to make rules and punish those who break them, although he consistently breaks them himself when he needs to further his own interests. A former choirmaster and "head boy" at his school, he arrived on the island having experienced some success in exerting control over others by dominating the choir with his militaristic attitude. Jack represents evil and violence, the dark side of human nature.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |