In the United States of America, the government follows the structure of a Democracy. Which means there is a president, a man who has a large say in whatever decisions are made. Once Xx time for a new man to take in the honor of being president, it is up to that person to decide how they want to use their newly granted power. In the novel, Lord of the Flies written by William Gilding the power shifts back and forth beјen Jack and Ralph multiple times. Just like every new president has their own unique ways of using their power, Jack and Ralph also have special ways of using the power hey earn.
Throughout the novel, Lord of the Flies written by William Gilding, Gilding develops the theme of power through Jack and Rally’s different tactics with power, Rally’s actions with power, and Jack’s commanding presence with power. As Ralph and Jack take charge in the book, they have similarities and differences with their tactics of using power. Early in the novel, Gilding demonstrates their differences, “Ralph turned to him. ‘You’re no good on a job like this. ‘ ‘All the same-‘ ‘We don’t want you’ said Jack, flatly. ‘Three’s Gilding).
While Ralph and Jack both assert authority over Piggy, Ralph at least tries to explain his reasoning whereas Jack brings personal insult to the matter. This could be Gilding trying to shower the reader a mark of a good leader, in Ralph, and a bad leader, in Jack. In chapter one, the author writes ” ‘Jacks in charge of the choir. They can be-what do you want them to be? ‘ ‘Hunters’ Jack and Ralph smiled at each other with shy liking. The rest began to talk eagerly” (23, Gilding). Ralph and Jack are made similar by their desire for power, but differ in their treatment of that power.
Ralph IS pappy to use it towards the others liking, but Jack will later want it all for himself. In the beginning of the novel, Ralph declares that who ever is holding the conch shell will have the right to speak. Later, when Jack has started his own tribe, the conch has no power at all. Gilding is expressing the different ideas and beliefs the two boys have once they grab a hold of power. Since Ralph and Jack’s thoughts on power contrast so much, different outcomes will occur after one of them shows off their power. As the novel unravels, Gilding likes to give Ralph a generous attitude when using his power.
Towards the middle of the story, the author prints “Ralph pushed Piggy to one side. ‘l was chief, and you are going to do what I said”‘ (70, Gilding). Although, Ralph asserts his power here, he does for the sake of the signal fire and the prospect of getting rescued. For Ralph, power is a means to an end, not the end itself. Later in the Novel, Gilding inscribes “Something deep in Ralph spoke for him. ‘I’m chief. I’ll go. Don’t argue. ‘” (104, Gilding). When Jack painted his face, we saw that “the mask compelled” the boys to obey. Here, too, it is not Ralph, but rather “something deep in” him hat speaks.
For better or worse, both boys are affected by their roles as leaders. In the first scenes of the story, Ralph blows the conch and all the boys circle around him. They stare at him waiting for him to speak. This scene, Gilding is trying to portray how Ralph is going to be depicted throughout the story, as a leader. While Ralph uses his power to solve the problem that the boys find themselves in, Jack loves to use his power as if they’re never going to escape the island. From start to finish, Jack demands a commanding role among the boys and chooses to use his power aggressively.
Early in the book, Gilding writes, ” ‘A fire! Make a fire! ‘ At once half the boys were on their feet. Jack clamored among them, the conch forgotten. ‘Come on. Follow (38, Gilding). Jack realizes the situation that he has found himself in and takes advantage of impulsive mob mentality to get his way, whereas Ralph appeals to reason. Midway through the book, the author writes, ” ‘And you shut up! Who are you, anyways? Sitting there telling people what to do. You can’t hunt, you can’t sing-‘ ‘I’m chief. I was chosen. ‘ ‘Why should choosing make any difference?
Just fining orders that don’t make any sense-m (91, Gilding). In this scene, Jack expresses his power by becoming very mad at Ralph for some decisions that he made. Democracy has no value for Jack. His ambition blinds him to the point where he sees no “sense” in Rally’s grounded and reasonable orders. Late in the novel, Gilding quotes ” Jack spoke. ‘Give me a drink. ‘ Henry brought him a shell and he drank, watching Piggy and Ralph over the jagged rim. Power lay in the brown swell of his forearms: authority sat on his shoulder and chattered in his ear like an ape. ” (150, Gilding).
As shown wrought this scene, Jack wears his emotions on his sleeve and chooses to do what he pleases. Jack decides to express his power loud enough for everyone to hear it, which is something Rally’s character lacked. Jack sure does have his unique way of demonstrating his power. That doesn’t substitute the fact that he still owns the leadership role on the island, whether he expresses it differently or not. Throughout the novel Lord of the Flies, written by William Gilding, the common theme of power develops as Jack and Ralph demonstrate their power, and all the different power tactics the two boys use.
As the story moves along, as a reader, you get the sense that Gilding is trying to send you a message. In this novel, with the theme being power, the message is power is all around us but its how people adjust to it. Frederick Douglas once said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. And it never did and never will. ” This quote is a painted image of what Gilding is trying to portray. He gives his main characters, Jack and Ralph, this certain swagger and confidence when it comes to making decisions, and that is why the lesson revolves around power.
