Jack Merridew Lord Of The Flies Quote Analysis

Writer Steven James said, “The true nature of man left to himself without restraint is not nobility but savagery.” This quote can be used to accurately describe Jack Merridew, one of the young boys who becomes stranded on an unknown island in the Pacific. Lord of the Flies was written by William Golding; the novel explores the dark side of humanity and the underlying savagery in even the most civilized person. The novel opens on a group of British boys between ages six and twelve stranded on a tropical island without adult supervision. The boys elect a leader in an attempt to form a civilized society; however, their peaceful island descends into chaos as Ralph and Jack continuously argue over who should be the leader of the island. From the beginning of the novel, Jack is seen as power hungry, envious, and manipulative to further his own agenda, the anti-thesis to Ralph’s concern with social order and their future.
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; later in life, he described his childhood self as someone who “enjoyed hurting people.” (Biography.com) After college, Golding spent his time teaching English and philosophy to rowdy young boys at Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury. During World War II, Golding served as a British Naval Officer for six years. 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) His life experiences influenced his writing of the Lord of the Flies by giving him the basis of Jack’s characterization.
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 leader of the choirboys. From his introduction, Jack declares that he should be the leader of the boys and unsuccessfully tries to usurp Ralph’s control over the boys. However once he does become chief, he presents himself as a god-like figure for the boys to worship during their feast. Jack doesn’t 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.
A large factor in Jack’s decision making is his envy; his desire to take for himself causes barriers between himself and his goals.

For the majority of the book, Jack is envious that the boys voted Ralph as leader; he wants to be the hero and lead the boys on the island. He does not act spitefully toward Ralph because he respects Ralph in the beginning of the book. However, he is resents the close friendship that Piggy and Ralph have and alienates 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. Another example is in Chapter 5, Jack says “That’s right—favor Piggy as you always do—” (Golding 91) during an argument with Ralph over the island’s rules. 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’s a position as leader or as someone’s best

friend.
Jack shows an extremely ruthless and manipulative side when given the chance. 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 the rest of the boys.