Jack Responsibility In Lord Of The Flies Essay

A plane abruptly crashes into an abandoned island, risking the passengers in the plane. Luckily, the boys in the plane survive this devastating event. These boys, isolated from the supervision of adults, cooperate for rescue. A particular boy, encouraged that he can lead the boys successfully, instructs the others. Unfortunately, this responsible boy disguises himself with a mask, which brings a major transformation. For this boy, Jack, a major character in William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, his desire for power is greater than his hope for rescue. By Jack putting on the mask, Golding displays a responsible British boy, who focuses on survival, transform to an irresponsible, aggressive human being who is consumed by violence.
Before Jack disguises

himself with paint, he remains a responsible and cooperative boy attempting to work for the benefit of everyone. During an assembly, Jack, an active member of the tribe pronounces “ ‘We’ll have rules’ ” (Golding 33). This proposal unites the boys and brings stability in the island. For example, the rule that allows the boy with the conch to speak reduces chaos during assemblies. Furthermore, Jack announces “ ‘We’ll get food…Hunt. Catch things’ ” for survival (28). Jack’s enthusiasm and charisma drives everyone to focus on the same goal, survival. Although Ralph is the elected chief, Jack is the true leader in the beginning of the novel. Without Jack as the responsible leader, the boys would more likely be off-task and not as hard working. These cooperative actions of Jack lead the boys to hope for survival.
Jack’s responsibility helps the boys work efficiently together.

He turns to the choir, “who stood ready” and says “ ‘We’ll build a pile. Come on’ ” (40). Jack uses the word ‘we’ to show that the boys will work together for survival. He doesn’t demand the boys’ service, rather he encourages everyone to cooperate. This leadership influences the boys’ actions positively, thus Jack is a responsible leader. Without Jack, the boys would lack efficiency. Later, Jack and Ralph, “together, [joins] in an effort by the burden, they [stagger] up the last steep of the mountain…then they [step] back, laughing with triumphant pleasure” (40). Golding refers to Ralph and Jack as being ‘together’ to emphasize their unity. Since they are partners working for the same goal, rescue, they empathize with each other; for instance, together, they take pleasure in their accomplishment. In US, the president makes the final decisions; however, there are people behind the scene who affect the president’s decision, such as the vice president or the president’s wife. Similarly, although Ralph is the ‘elected chief,’ Jack influences the boys and Ralph’s decisions. Thus, Jack’s responsibility as a leader spurs the boys into

action.
When Jack paints his face, he transforms from a responsible member, to an irresponsible boy. He “[smears] on the clay” and “[rubs] the charcoal stick between the patches of red and white on his face,” planning to hide his identity (69). Immediately, “he [begins] to dance and his laughter [becomes] a bloodthirsty snarling” and Jack, behind the mask is “liberated from shame and self-consciousness” (70). Jack, under the mask loses his responsibility for survival. His once beneficial actions are now replaced with harmful ideas that risk the other boys’ lives. Before putting the mask on, Jack clearly supports the community by keeping the fire going. However, after putting the mask on, his responsibility is lost. A football player, under his helmet, feels no pity for tackling and injuring the enemy team. Similarly, Jack, under his mask, feels no remorse for his actions. For Jack, an effective boy who once helped carry out the duties to survive, loses his moral responsibility, the one true thing that makes him civilized, when he puts on the mask.
After Jack puts on the mask, he turns into an irresponsible, selfish boy, who leaves the tribe. Jack’s own selfish desires cause him to confidently say “ ‘I’m going off by myself’ ” and separate from the tribe (149). This proves the power of the mask because since the mask conceals Jack’s facial expressions, Jack can act freely without feeling remorse. This is exactly why robbers put a mask on when committing felonies; without the mask, these robbers cannot commit these acts due to their subconscious guilt. For Jack, a once valuable member of the tribe, at the expense of fulfilling his own desires jeopardize everyone’s possibility of rescue. If only he cooperates with Ralph incessantly, the two of them could have made a significant progress into rescue. However, Jack’s selfish determination for power engulfs his responsibility.
Jack, a once civilized and responsible boy, working towards rescue, turns into an unmanageable savage, who feels no pity for his actions. This boy who once enforced rules and cooperated with the others no longer helps the community. Disguised under the mask, he conceals his old self, until all that's left is a boy who cares for naught more than his power, and feels no pity or remorse about anything he does. Similarly, in this society, people who once benefit the community may end up harming the community.