Jack Ralphs

Jack Ralphs

As the obvious representative character for the symbolism of anarchy, and savagery, Jack is recognized throughout the novel as the antagonist. Although Jack may be with Ralph’s group in the beginning, he continuously shows an ever growing desire for Ralph’s position as leader ever since Ralph had been voted chief, and since been emphasizing his wish for a more powerful position with which he would be able to expand his authority in the group. As leader of the school choir, Jack had already shown his lust for power in the beginning of the novel when Jack had arrogantly insisted on him being the chief because of him being head boy and school chorister along with the ability to sing a C-Sharp. Jack’s desire for power increases as the story goes on in the novel and we witness his first symptoms as he grows into the savage character he develops into at the climax and near the ending of the novel.

Jack’s first noticeable action towards his savage side is shown through his obsession of being able to hunt and slay a pig. One of Jack’s first task on the island after Ralph’s election as chief was to be the leader of hunters (choirboys), and to hunt pigs so that they could provide everyone with meat. In the beginning of chapter three, Jack had single handedly tried to hunt a pig on his own while his hunters went to cool off. As he pursues the pig’s trail, the author seems to describe Jack’s determination in an almost crazed way just as we read the description of Jack’s eyes as he opens them in the semi-darkness; “They were bright blue, eyes that in this frustration seemed bolting and nearly mad.” Here we can almost feel a sense of foreshadowing to his hunting obsession and savage thirst for meat as his concentration focuses along with his frustration.