The Leadership of Jack and Ralph in Lord of the Flies: Essay examples

German journalist John Zenger once stated, “Great leaders are not defined by the absence of weakness, but rather by the presence of clear strengths”. When one is forced into a situation where a leader is necessary, a person that displays the fundamental attributes will successfully guide the society. Throughout the novel Lord of the Flies, the boys on the island represent various aspects of leadership, characterized by differing strengths. However, the protagonist’s, Ralph, leadership undoubtedly triumph over the other boys because his attributes allow him to be a powerful leader on the island. Throughout William Golding’s novel, he clearly depicts Ralph as an effective leader through his desire for the survival of all of the boys, his adamant

Ralph and Jack begin the novel with similar beliefs, both wanting to implement rules. “I agree with Ralph. We’ve got to have rules and obey them.” But then the wanting of power from Jack comes to- Ralph

Both of the boys change a lot during their stay on the island. Ralph begins the novel as a leader and role model to the other boys. But eventually, the group gives in to savage instincts and Ralph's position

Even though Jack demonstrated his leadership qualities when proposing a rescue plan to the ‘tribe’, and by accepting Ralph’s election to lead the group, something he wanted for himself, he eventually turns into a savage through killing a pig. This incident gives him a sense of power realizing that he can act with impunity without consequences. Wanting to hunt and kill pigs turned into a priority, eliminating the need to be

“ “Shut up,” said Ralph absently. He lifted the couch. “Seems to me we ought to have a chief to decide things around here.” (Chapter 1, Page 22) Ralph immediately notices the boys need some leadership his natural choice is to help guide these boys. He, however, lacks this responsibility. He doesn't continue to command respect from the boys. Ralph grows up faster in the book due to Jack. Later Jack breaks the tribe apart with his appealingly savage ways. Jack ended up establishing a hunting tribe. Once the tribe breaks Ralph tries to bring it back together, but since he didn’t have solid leadership skills even though he might have developed some compassion. He tries to convince Jack that he is still in charge and has power over the boys. The changes Ralph undergoes, from self-centered to group centered, doesn't reflect the island as a whole. They are all too elated to abandon the trappings of society.

By disobeying Ralph’s rules, Jack is trying to weaken the rules. Jack still has an effect on the boys, and his breaking of rules weakens the their will to follow them. In a later meeting, Jack claims that Ralph “isn’t a proper chief” and that “[he’s] going off by [himself].” Jack’s departure weakens Ralph’s tribe, since the choir has been with Jack before the crash on the island, and showed loyalty to him on the island. This results in a majority of the boys abandon Ralph for Jack. Some of the non-choir boys go off with Jack’s tribe, because of the beast they want protection from. They believe his hunters will supply that. Jack is no longer under control, but is now in control. Jack’s department of the tribe, and weakening of the boy’s opinion on Ralph leads to his desire for power being satisfied.

Ralph's character comes back stronger than ever before in the final chapters of the novel. At this point, like Simon had before him, Ralph becomes aware of the savagery existing within all the boys—including himself. "That was Simon," he admits to Piggy, recalling the barbaric act he took part in. Even upon Piggy's death, Ralph still manages not to let the savagery overwhelm him, only momentarily considering joining Jacks tribe for safety. His firsthand knowledge of his aptitude for sin builds his motivation to throw down the Lord of the Flies near the end of the novel. By the time he finally realizes the evil on the island is within the boys themselves, it is too late for Ralph to fight for anyone but himself.

The initial act that started the rift between Ralph and Jack began with a blatant disregard of Ralph’s order to keep the fire going. Ralph exclaimed, “There was a ship. Out there. You said you’d keep the fire going and you let it out!” (Golding 70). Jack was too concerned with hunting and feeling like a leader to fulfill his duty of keeping the fire going. This was Ralph’s first and most important rule in his own eyes, and Jack betrayed him. It was the initial event that created a rift between the two of them, and it only got worse from there.

Something deep in Ralph spoke for him. “I’m chief. I'll go. Don't argue." (p.155)Throughout the novel, we notice the similarities between the two characters Ralph and Jack, however, there are several great differences in the way they use these traits to benefit both themselves and others. In the novel Lord of the Flies, the contrasts aid in displaying the variances between Jack and Ralph, such as their leadership styles, civilization vs savagery, and their motives throughout the story.

him, knowing Jack will hurt them. Ralph also makes up his own rules, and he manages to follow them,

Jack has a very rude and aggressive personality. Jack is also more controlling and only likes things to be done his way. Jack shows this side or his personality when he leaves the group because he does not like and agree with the way Jack was running the group(93). The way that Jack runs his small group turns into more of a dictatorship. He becomes very controlling of his group. Unlike Jack, Ralph runs his group by being more communicative. Ralph’s personality shows to be more kind and understanding than Jack’s. Ralph is more for listening to what others want. He shows this near the beginning of the book during voting when he offers Jack as being a leader as well because that is what Jack’s group wanted(23). This action shows how he is more open to ideas from all the boys and tries to do a little of what everyone wants.

When you are in the wild, you do whatever you can to survive. It is all about survival of the fittest. Especially if there are no rules like in the book. This shows a lot between Jack and Ralph. It seems pretty

In Lord of the flies the fight for survival has kicked in with the boys who have survived a plane crash. The struggle for order and power is now between Jack and Ralph the two main leaders of the boys. The struggle comes down to 3 main issues between the boys. The main issues being different ways of power and personalities, different mindsets, and order within the group.

In the beginning of the book Ralph and Jack are fairly similar as the book goes along it's easy to see the difference between the two. Early in the book readers can see how Ralph tries to set rules and have order in the tribe. "...We ought to have more rules. Where the conch is that's

The contrast in opinions between the two characters can again be seen when Ralph, in the midst of the hunters joy, attempts to address the lingering issues within the group and to re-instate a sense of justice and civilisation.