Throughout the entire novel Jack maintains a strong and up-front character. He is in himself a very strong character with an intense attitude. He begins as an intimidating boy with “uniformed superiority” and “offhand authority”. “I ought to be chief,” says Jack this shows that he feels that he has a natural right to be the leader, although Ralph voices the idea of compromise by the means of a vote. This is a major difference between the leadership qualities and actions, which are taken by Jack and Ralph. This element of compromise though it gets Ralph elected, as chief is the same reason why his leadership becomes increasingly ineffective. In antithesis to this Jack’ claim on leadership though hinders him from being publicly elected “gives” him the reign that is necessary for him to gain absolute control over the boys ultimately leading into a ruthless dictatorship.
These different characteristics are seen in the very first meeting, though they are both equal leaders in the beginning because Ralph says, “Jack can be in charge of the choir. They can be-what do you want them to be?” However due to the vast differences in character this equality is not maintained. Ralph’s leadership was through democracy though Jack’s was through the threat of violence and under the shadow of fear. The varying methods of leadership also influence the way each of these characters treat the rest of the boys. Ralph always explained what he was doing and what he hoped to achieve- he actually allowed the boy’s to give ideas, this occurred when he adopted Piggy’s idea of speaking only when holding the conch. Jack however dictated his plans without regard for the future; an excellent example of this is when he orders the entire forest to be set alight so that he would ultimately be able to catch and kill Ralph.
The differences in character are further highlighted in their relationship, as it is one of continual change throughout the novel. It starts off as a friendship; “Jack and Ralph smiled at each other with shy liking.” However this is not always the case. We see that by chapter two- Fire on the mountain, Jack is already challenging Ralph’s authority by discounting the conch on the mountain. Then again by chapter three- Huts on the beach, Jack is going against what Ralph said about looking after the fire. Ralph is very annoyed at Jack’s negligence to his given duty, they both feel very strongly about their views on this subject to such an extent as to where they are “astonished at the rub of feeling”. As soon as this happens Jack tries to make it up to Ralph by offering to “do a bit for you”. This attitude of appeasement soon disappears. Instead Jack’s behaviour manages to divide the group and even before that he manages to destroy organisation at certain points when Ralph is trying to keep a hold of the boys. An example of this is when Ralph introduces the idea of making a fire when Jack encourages them by saying “Come on! Follow me!” This immediately causes all the boys to rush off into the forest with him. Jack and Ralph’s relationship deteriorates and finally Jack publicly confronts him and leaves the group. Jack’s relationship with Ralph changes during the novel. At the end of the novel Jack and Ralph’s formerly “baffled, in love and hate” relationship turns to a murderous hunt in which Jack attempts to murder Ralph.
This act was very brash and it was a result of the deterioration of Jack’s civility as in the first chapter Jack is unable to kill “because of the enormity of the knife descending…the unbearable blood.” However after the first successful hunt Jack’s character begins to deteriorate from being a product of civilisation into a wild savage. The escalation leading to Jack’s savagery is solely because of his desire for hunting. His lust after physical violence causes Jack to be accustomed to using such brutality towards any other living being. The reason for the strong desire Jack feels towards hunting is due to the fact that it gives him power over a life which Jack thrived after. Golding emphasises on this by giving Jack the surname Merridew meaning ‘Lord of the place’- this is particularly significant as Jack wanted to be called this right at the opening of the novel “Why should I be Jack? I’m Merridew.”
As a result of the great difference in character it is evident that we see that Ralph’s leadership is positive, which leads us as the reader to have a negative view of Jack. Golding intended this as, if Jack had been the only source of leadership on the island we may have sympathised with him because of the hardship-managing children are. However because Ralph portrayed an ideal role model in comparison to Jack causes us to see him in a darker light.
Jack has from the beginning been an authoritative and fixed minded person. Jack is an uncaring, cunning savage, who having been used to having his own way, lusted after power with bloodthirsty ruthlessness that enabled him to attempt murder.
