Democracy to Dictatorship in Lord of the Flies Essay

Democracy to Dictatorship in Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a novel that represents a microcosm of society in a tale about children stranded on an island. Of the group of young boys there are two who want to lead for the duration of their stay, Jack and Ralph. Through the opposing characters of Jack and Ralph, Golding reveals the gradual process from democracy to dictatorship from Ralphs democratic election to his lack of law enforcement to Jacks strict rule and his violent law enforcement. Upon the arrival of the boys to the island Jack immediately found himself in the center of a power struggle. Although the conflict was brief, there was still a very obvious confrontation between†¦show more content†¦Their punishment for slacking off was nothing, and so they got away with accomplishing nothing. Jack saw this along with many other flaws in Ralphs democracy and continually tried to force his style of governing over the boys. Jacks view on how the group should be run didnt completely show through until he actually became the leader later on in the novel, but there were hints before that as well. His tendency towards strict leadership was evident ever since he and his choirboys were introduced as characters. He kept them very much in line. The group of cloaked boys began to scatter from close line. The tall boy shouted at them. Choir stand still! Wearily obedient, the choir huddled into line and stood there swaying in the sun (Golding page #). He allowed them little room to maneuver, made them listen and follow orders without question. Jack was a very power hungry young boy. Although he doesnt have any power at the beginning of the novel, he took every opportunity to take the position of chief and was eventually successful. Jacks dictatorial style of leadership contrasted very directly with the more democratic and passive style of Ralph. Jack ruled with an iron fist, allowing no one to question him or his leadership. Jack represented the wanting for a single, all-powerful leader to guide the followers of society using any means he feels necessary.Show MoreRelatedLord Of The Flies By William Golding1540 Words   |  7 Pagesfreedoms it granted its citizens; while the Soviet Union’s ruthless dictatorship greatly limited the liberties of its people. This era created lasting views of the concept of â€Å"good versus evil†. British author William Golding wrote his novel, Lord of the Flies, during this time and it reflects this uneasy atmosphere. The character development, along with the carefully chosen symbolism of the novel suggests that Golding wrote Lord of the Flies as an allegory to the people and events of the Cold War, butRead MoreWilliam Goldings View of Humanity1383 Words   |  6 Pagesboys and cynical view of the war. 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In the book, it is a symbolRead MoreSignificance of the Conch in Lord of the Flies860 Words   |  4 Pagesconch he called it. He used to blow it and his mum would come. It s ever so valuable Ââ€" Piggy, Lord of the Flies. The conch is a sea creature, its shell is revered in many cultures such as Hinduism and Buddhism for its beauty and the sound it makes. The conch is also that shell in Lord of the Flies which is blown into to gather the boys. The author, William Golding, uses the conch to show that democracy will succumb to rule by force in the face of serious trouble or need. In the book, it is a symbolRead MoreRalph and Jack in Lord Of The Flies Essay919 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Goldings Lord of the Flies is a novel about a grou p of boys who are lost on a deserted island and must do what they can to survive. At the beginning of the novel, two of the boys, Ralph and Jack, become leaders. These differences will form the main conflict in the story. 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