Differences between Jack and Ralph represented through their actions as chief
Uploaded by queenofpersia on Apr 08, 2004
Differences between Jack and Ralph represented through their actions as chief
Jack and Ralph are two exceedingly different characters. Jack is the id, the type of personality that acts on impulse in order to receive immediate gratification. Ralph is the ego, a decision maker. Jack is power hungry and harbors a deadly need to control all around him, but Ralph considers himself another one of the boys. Throughout The Lord of the Flies, the numerous ways Golding contrast Jack and Ralph are almost as numerous as the sum of dissimilarities. The differences between Jack and Ralph are represented through their actions and behavior as chief.
First of all, positioning always creates a significant effect on situations and appearances. Ralph’s and Jack’s seats among the boys illustrate how each as an individual feels in an authoritative position among the boys. “Ralph sat on a fallen trunk... on his right were most of the choir; on his left the larger boys... before him small children” (32). Here Ralph is surrounded by the other boys on the island. His seat is the seat is among the other boys. Despite Ralph possessing power over the boys, Ralph places himself among the boys, symbolizing Ralph considers himself just another one of the boys, no better or no worse.
However, Jack does not consider himself just another one of the boys. Quite the opposite, Jack considers himself better than the other boys. Both occurrences in which Jack’s seat is mentioned Jack is secluded, or, in other words, sitting where the other boys may be privileged to a full view of him. “... the tribe lay in a semicircle before him” (160) and “...the boys arranged themselves in rows on the grass before him” (150). Jack uses his seat and the places of the boys as reminders of his authority. Golding emphasizes Jack’s self claimed superiority by writing, “Jack rose from the log that was his throne..” (150). Ralph’s seat is never mentioned as a throne throughout the entire book but “a fallen trunk” (32).
Yet another way the differences between Jack and Ralph are demonstrated is how they keep their power and authority. Ralph is good-hearted and gentle and uses words and the conch to get the boys attention. Often Ralph would remind the boys, “You voted me chief. Now do what I say” (81) in order to settle the boys down or convince the boys to...