Lord of the Flies - "We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages", Page 42, Chapter 2. Discuss Jack's statement in the light of events if Chapters 1 - 5.

Authors Avatar

Palvinder Mann 10G    Engish    Mrs.Marshall   1st October 2004

Essay Question: “We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages”, Page 42, Chapter 2. Discuss Jack’s statement in the light of events if Chapters 1 – 5.

    This particular statement seems to be contradicted and supported during various parts of the story. When Jack first makes this statement, he is not aware of what lies in their future, and how they will take their first steps into savagery in order to satisfy their need to survive on the island upon which darkness and doubt has descended after the ecstasy of freedom had been spent.

    In chapter 1, the boys are excited about their freedom, especially since there are no adults to tell them what to do. But their old ways somehow make them continue to adhere to their civilised ways and they quickly elect a leader (Ralph) and decide what should be done. Obviously, the boys still display some of their child-like qualities, for example when Ralph was teasing Piggy about his name. But Ralph is the boy who shows the qualities of a leader. He manages to spread peace and order among the boys, and compromises with Jack, who wanted to be the leader. Ralph allows Jack to be the leader of his choir, who were given the role of hunters. They set about the first necessary tasks in an orderly manner. When Ralph, Jack and Piggy enter the jungle, Jack attempts to kill a pig, but his conscience stops him and he lets the pig escape. But in defence of his pride, he claims that he was “choosing a place to stab the pig”. But even Ralph could see why he didn’t go in for the kill. It would somehow prove their descent into savagery, and this is not what they wanted at the time.

Join now!

    Chapter 2 is where the group begin to express their doubts and the first sign of dispute appears. At first, a meeting is called. Although this is an act of civilisation, the meeting gives way to a quarrel. A system is created which allows only the person holding the conch to speak. Ralph orders that people wishing to speak must put their hands up, “like at school”. Ralph imposes orders from school because they are practical and the boys would understand them. Jack wants to impose lots of rules. But he doesn’t do this to bring order ...

This is a preview of the whole essay