How Does Golding Use Power In Lord Of The Flies

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In his fictional novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding follows the narrative of young boys stranded on a deserted island and their struggles to maintain civilization and the aspects of their old lives. Amid the blistering heat of the island, there is a wrestle for power between Ralph, who wants to leave the island as soon as possible, and Jack Merridew, the “chapter chorister and head boy” (22). Jack wants to hunt the pigs on the island for meat and becomes a savage, only focusing on power as through his actions hunting, spilling blood, and becoming chaotic, Golding exemplifies the novel’s underlying idea that violence accompanies those who seek power. Early in the novel, the boys get together and have a meeting. Jack acts proudly, taking control. He calls Piggy “fatty” (21) while also telling him he “talk[s] too much” (21). …show more content…

He eventually leaves the group of boys as he says he’s “nobody going to play with. [them] any longer” (127). A ‘“small group of boys” (133) follow Jack into their own tribe as they hunt for meat. Jack establishes he is “going to be chief” (133) and they need to hunt, as he now has the authority he wants. As the new tribe goes out to hunt, the boys see a large group of pigs, but Jack spots “the largest sow of the lot” (134) and points her out to the rest of the group. In a relentless chase to catch the sow, the pig, “struck down by the heat” (135) falls over. As the boys hurl themselves at her and the air is full of “blood and terror” (135), Golding pushes forth his message that violence comes along with power. Jack is now the leader and has power, so he makes more brash decisions and becomes more violent, as seen in attacking the sow, the leader of the pigs. After much violence toward the sow, Jack “finds the throat and. hot blood spout[s] over his hands” (135). Due to all of the blood, the boys become more savage and Jack even rubs “the stuff” (135) over another boy’s

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