Jack Merridew Character Analysis

Writer Steven James once said, “The true nature of man left to himself without restraint is not nobility but savagery.” James explains that without the restraints of civilization, man will act savage. This quote can be used to accurately describe Jack Merridew, one of the young boys who becomes stranded on an unknown island during World War II in Lord of the Flies. The novel was written by William Golding and illustrates the dark side of humanity. Golding gives the reader a glimpse of man’s true nature without the restraints of civilization in the character Jack Merridew. Jack’s descent from civilization to savagery is evident from his sociopathic nature and personality; after letting his true nature run wild for a long time, Jack’s return to civilization would be conflicted. Jack is power hungry, envious, immoral, and manipulative to further his own agenda—to be the leader of the boys and control the island.

Golding drew inspiration for Lord of the Flies from his own childhood, years of teaching, and time serving the British Royal Navy. As a child, Golding bullied his peers as an outlet for his frustrations, (Bibliography.com); these actions are

comparable to Jack’s tendency to attack Piggy when arguing with Ralph. After college, Golding spent his time teaching English and philosophy to rowdy young boys at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. This experience gave Golding insight on the nature of boys and contributed to his writing. Golding also served as a British Naval Officer for six years during World War II. He recalled this time to be an eye opening experience, “Anyone who moved through those years without understanding that man produces evil as a bee produces honey, must have been blind or wrong in the head,” (Biography.com). Golding explains that men are naturally evil and destructive, a main theme in who Jack becomes and what he does during the later chapters of the book.
Jack enjoys occupying a position of power and exerting his power over others. Unlike the rest of the boys, Jack has already used his influence to make others do what he needs as the leader of the choirboys. From his introduction, Jack declares that he should be the leader of the boys on the basis that he has always held a position of power. “‘I ought to be chief,’ said Jack with simple arrogance," (Golding, ). As well as, unsuccessfully trying to usurp Ralph’s control over the boys in Chapter Eight. However, once he does become chief, he presents himself as a godlike figure for the boys to worship during their feast. Jack becomes drunk on the power he possesses as “authority sat on his shoulder and chattered in his ear like an ape,” (Golding, ). Jack does not only enjoy using his power over people; Jack uses his power over animals to please his power hungry, savage side. "[Jack’s] mind was crowded with memories...of the knowledge... that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink," (Golding, 70). It is obvious that during this moment, the main reason for hunting was not for food, but for the joy of the chase and kill. Jack’s power hungry ways create a divide in the boys’ civilization and leads the island to destruction.
For the majority of the book, Jack is envious of the close relationship that Ralph and Piggy share. However, he does not act spitefully toward Ralph because he respects Ralph. In contrast, he lets his envy take control of his logical decision making and decides to alienate Piggy. “We don’t want you,” said Jack, flatly. “Three’s enough,” (Golding, 24). When Piggy wants to join the exploration of the island, Jack rejects him out of spite despite the logical decision of having strength in numbers. “That’s right—favor Piggy as you always do—” (Golding, 91). Jack’s envious outburst occurs during an argument with Ralph in Chapter Five; it is shown that Jack is primarily angry at Ralph for taking Piggy’s side and coming to his defense. One of Jack’s biggest driving forces is his envy for what other people have, whether it is a position as leader or as Ralph’s best friend.
The morals that held Jack back from acting savage are nonexistent by the end of the book. The longer Jack spends on the island, the more society’s influence on Jack’s decision making is weakened. He does not feel remorse for the deaths of Simon and Piggy; and if he does, he does not outwardly show it. When the boys murder Simon, no one truly acknowledges the weight of their actions or the life they took. In contrast, when Roger kills Piggy, Jack uses it as an example for the rest of the boys. “See? See? That’s what you’ll get! I meant that,” (Golding, 181)! After this moment, Jack attacks Ralph in an attempt to kill him as Ralph’s death would complete his goal of absolute control over the island. Jack’s immoral nature compliments his power hungry side, totaling up to his ruthless leadership.
Jack is manipulative to help achieve his goal of taking over the island. When he and his hunters let the signal fire go out and therefore having a ship pass by without seeing the boys, he insincerely apologizes to keep he and his hunters out of trouble with Ralph. In Chapter Eight, Jack says, “Ralph thinks you’re cowards, running away from the boar and the beast. And that’s not all. [...] He isn’t a proper chief. [...] He’s a coward himself,” (Golding, 126). In this scene, Jack puts words into Ralph’s mouth and questions Ralph’s qualifications as a leader; he is implanting doubt into the boys’ minds, convincing them to vote Ralph out of power. Lastly, Jack’s ability is utilized best when combined with the beast’s existence. At first, Jack does not believe in the beast, “[f]ear can't hurt you any more than a dream. There aren't any beasts to be afraid of on this island,” (Golding, ). But once he becomes chief, he uses the image of the beast to believe in the power of numbers. “‘I expect the beast disguised himself. [...] We'd better keep on the right side of him, anyhow. You can't tell what he might do.’ The tribe considered this; and then were shaken, as if by a flow of wind,” (Golding, ). Jack’s manipulation of the boys and events on the island are factors in his quest for power and eventual downfall.
Jack’s descent into savagery is gradual, his transformation as a character is described as a transformation, “from [an] arrogant choir boy into [a] painted savage,” (Shmoop Editorial Team). At the start of the story, Jack is relatively civilized and wants to be the leader of the boys, but is given the position as leader of the hunters as compensation. Jack begins to hunt as a way to get food for everyone; however, as time passes, the purpose of hunting is pleasure. In Chapter Eight, Jack splits from the group after an argument with Ralph and begins a new tribe with him as chief. Jack as the new tribe chief puts on a great feast for the boys. He sits on a log, "painted and garlanded . . . like an idol," (Golding, ), and that night leads the dance that kills Simon. The hunters steal Piggy’s glasses which results into a confrontation between Ralph and Jack. During this fight, Roger kills Piggy and crushes the conch. This is the last time Jack is called by name in the novel, instead “the chief,” the primal being that personifies savagery, totally replaces Jack and takes full control of the island. By the end of the book Jack sets the island on fire during to kill Ralph—Jack is willing to destroy everything to finish his hunt. Ironically, this fire fails its savage goal and gets the British Navy rescues the boys from their “fun and games,” (Golding, ).
Jack’s return to civilization would be conflicted because it would require Jack to give up his position of “chief,” the goal he worked so hard to achieve. When the naval officer asks who is in charge on the island, Jack steps forward to claim himself as leader of the boys. However, he refrains from saying anything as he realizes that the rules of civilization will be re-enforced, (Golding, 201). This moment is when Jack realizes he has to return to civilization in which he is nothing more than another boy and will have to face the consequences of his actions. He would have to grow up with the weight of Simon’s and Piggy’s murder on his shoulders, and the knowledge that he personally killed Simon would leave him guilty and traumatized for years.
Jack represents the underlying savagery of every person and is the main representation of the evil side of humanity. Jack begins the story with a moral code, and promotes civilization because they are “English, and the English are best at everything,” (Golding, ). However, as the story progresses, Jack loses his civilized ways as the lack of authority gives him space to act out the adventurous hunting activities that lead to violence. Jack is also similar to sociopaths, as he develops a “disregard for laws and social mores” and “the rights of others,” (Bonn). Another trait he shares with sociopaths is the “failure to feel remorse for his actions” and a “tendency to display violent behavior,” (Bonn). His naturally violent and volatile ways attribute to his personality as a whole; his sociopathy combined with his personality is the foundation for the disastrous events that occur during Lord of the Flies.
Jack Merridew’s character is allegorical for the savagery that lies underneath every person’s civilized way.

Golding created Jack as the representation of evil he saw while serving in World War II. Jack’s primary goal of taking control of the entire island is fueled by his power hungry nature and envy of others; Jack wants to be the “golden boy” of the island and the number one confidant of Ralph. His immoral, sociopathic nature and manipulation of other characters helps him achieve his goals. However, as he usurps the role of leader from Ralph he causes the island to descend into savagery. He presents the reader with humankind’s innate sense of evil and how even the most civilized person’s true nature of senseless killing and barbarism can be unleashed without the social expectations that keep this nature

subdued.