Jack And Ralph Conflict Analysis

Jack and Ralph’s differing identities that they firmly stick to creates a we-they mindset that deepens the conflict between them.
With such rigid and different identities, Jack and Ralph have very different priorities, making it challenging for them to work together. Ralph’s identity is threatened when Jack lets the fire burn out to go hunting, so he lashes out at him, accusing him, “I was chief, and you were going to do what I said. You talk. But you can’t even build huts-then you go off hunting and let out the fire-”(70, 71). By ignoring what Ralph told him to do, Jack threatens numerous aspects of Ralph’s identity. Ralph identifies with being elected Chief based on his plan to get rescued, so Jack’s insubordination threatens Ralph. Meanwhile,

Jack identifies as the provider, a hunter, and also as having leadership position. When they were hunting for the beast, “Jack led the way down the rock and across the bridge” (108). Even when scared, Jack feels like he has to be the protector and provider, otherwise he has failed. When he has failed, he lashes out because his identity is built around those two tasks, and for him it is easier to project that frustration onto others. When Jack is successfull, Ralph is not, and visa versa, and because they prioritize their own success as the most important for the group, there is tension and conflict.
As the book goes on, their inability to work together causes conflict not only between them, but all the other boys too, causing less respect of the other group and an even more obvious we-they mindset.

The division begins to appear soon after Jack kills the pig. Ralph hesitates to blow the conch because, “if [he] blows the conch and [the littluns] do not come back; then we’ve had it”(92). Ralph understands Jack’s hunting is a threat to his power. Jack and Ralph cannot coexist and if the order ends, chaos will ensue and it will be because Jack and Ralph divided. The littluns not coming to the sounds of the conch would show they have chosen Jack, effectively pushing Ralph out of power, and he would soon be targeted, and cause him to resent Jack.The tension comes to a crest in a confrontation between Jack and Ralph after Jack’s tribe stole piggy’s glasses. Both Ralph and Piggy questioned, “which is better- to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill”(180)? The first half represents what Ralph stands for, while the second half is what Jacks stands for, showing a stark clash of their identities. A majority of the boys chose the second option immediately, and the rest were killed or forced to the majority. This was the beginning of the end of the illusion of society. It leads to more violence and a separation between everyone and Ralph. Being chained to their identities creates an exaggerated and obvious we-they

mindset.
Jack and Ralph’s adherence to conflicting identities creates a separation between them, and eventually a separation among the other boys based on whose side they choose, ultimately leading to a we-they mindset that they use as an excuse for conflict and violence.