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Island In Lord Of The Flies

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What would you do if you were stuck on an island? In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding a group of English schoolboys find themselves in that exact situation. The boys, with their ages varying from six to twelve years old, get into a plane crash in which no adults survive, and they are left to fend for themselves on a mysterious uninhabited island. In the beginning the boys attempt to organize themselves and establish a civilized way of life on the island they elect a chief, named Ralph. Led by Ralph, the boys set rules, hold assemblies and are assigned jobs. However, as their time on the island grows some boys drift farther and farther away from their civilized origin. Eventually, one of the older boys named Jack creates …show more content…
Jack’s position on rules greatly contrast from the beginning and later in the story. In the beginning it is seen that he too has in interest in establishing rules as he says they need rules, that “after all, [they] are not savages. [ they are] English”(34). Later in the story he curses the rules and does not believe they are important. This contrast within Jack’s position on rules clearly shows his transition form disciplined schoolboy to wild savage and marks that Jack lacks the “terrible effort” that is needed to remain civilized as he so easily allows him self to be changed. Another aspect of Jacks transition into savage is his evolution into a bloodthirsty killer. In the beginning of the story Jack has an understanding and respect for power of killing. In his first opportunity to slaughter a piglet he hesitates, as he had never experienced such power before. Once he slaughters his first pig “ his mind [is] crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that they had out witted a living thing; imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink”(59). Jack’s first kill marks a great step in his transition to savage killer as now that he has experienced the power he becomes obsessed. From that moment and on killing becomes about satisfying his own lust and greed. In addition, his brutality only increases as with each kill he loses more respect for the power it yields and it becomes an outlet for him to release his savage nature. Jack allows his own lust and greed to him into a savage, the temptation of vice is something within all of us, Jack gives into this temptation and with the isolation of the island he easily becomes a

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