‘ I ought to be chief’
- there is a sense of arrogance in this phrase, alike
Hitler in many of his speeches
‘because im chapter chorister and head boy’
- the two main things in his life revolve around rules
and him being in charge with the ability to rule over others.
His choir enters in a Black uniform the significance of this uniform is seen asan act of discipline rather than the religious symbolism, this is ominous. At this point we already see some qualities belonginfg to Jack, that he shares with previous dedicated revolutionaries. He is able to keep a tight-knit group under strong leadership. Maybe too strong though as you would expect a child that has been a vixtim of a catastrophic air crash to be more spontainious. Jack instead continues his role as choir master. We are given more information on Jacks abilities and his intentions early on in the novel, this is because unlike Ralph, Jack’s views never change they just grow stronger.
We can now begin emphasise on the essential differences in wwhat the two boys believe about order. They both know that it is essential, but their versions take different forms and have different goals. We can see the type of leader that Jack is from his conduct of the choir,
‘ shouted an order and they halted, gasping, sweating’
The group of boys are extremely exhausted, but yet he continues to push them to the limit, until Simon faints. Jack feels he has a natural right to be leader , and shows no modesty when approaching Ralph. Jacks aim begins to become clear as he introduces face painting, this something of a ritual form whisch he wishes to empahasise. His policies have no long term uses but only short term such as food. The gap inbetween Jack and Ralph as leaders reaches a clear point when Jack brings coloured clay to paint his face. Not only does this separate him further from Ralph but it also gives the other boys an interesting figure to aspire to.
‘ the mask was a thing on its own,
behind which Jack hid, liberated from same and
self consciousness’
Ralph on the othe hand sees no need to be liked by the other boys to gain support he relies on civilisation. He wishes order to be order to be agreed democratically via a series of rules, unlike Jack he has a long-term objective, which may mean giving up present delights for security of a a fire. Due to Ralphs democratic view point it makes it very hard for him to be stern, so instead he has the need to compromise, ‘ Ralph looked at him eager to offer something’ .
Ralph manages to win the vote to become chief at the start of the novel ‘him with the shell’, but exactly why is he chosen just because he has the conch ‘ let him be chief with the trumpet-thing’ child-like reasons are given so neither Ralph or Jack were entitled more than anyone else to become chief. Jack ties to keep order by using rules the only problem is not everyone follows rules, and what happens when these rules are broken, who picks up the pieces?
‘Jack got to his feet. His face was red as he marched away.’
There conflicting views and personalities eventually begin to clash to the point of confrontation. Like anyone in a high position of society, they want to keep their role of high stature, and feel threatened by any other possible contender. It is here that we see where the two boys are quite alike. They both want power equally as much but Jack will go to any means to achieve it, where as Ralph will give up.
‘ Oh, take it! Go on- talk!. Ralph thrust the conch into Jack’s arms’
All the boys on the island at first seem to relate with Ralph, which you can see why as he offers them more freedom as long they obey the rules. But although Ralph places his rules down there is no punishment if a rule is not obeyed. Hence why the rules are often broken. ‘ they let the bloody fire out’. where as Jack is seen as a much more stringent character but yet he is shown much more respect.
As leaders they have two different principles. Ralph to get off the island ‘ Any day there may be a ship out there’ and Jack simply wanted to kill and to know he is in charge ‘ if I could only get a pig’. The rivalry develops builds tension until Jack and Ralph are on opposing sides, with Ralph standing for civilisation and humanity, and Jack delving into the world of savagery and murder. The gap between them becomes so strained that Jack feels his only option is to kill Ralph.
‘They hate you, Ralph. They’re going to do you.’
Ralph realises he has been outcasted, but does not regret his decision not to follow the others, and he now understands why he has been rejected. ‘Cos I had some sense.’ Ralph and Jack were never destined to be great friends, because their conflicting ideas, morals and opinions could only lead them to be rivals. I can now begin to deduce some useful insights into the world of leadership and order.
Ralph displays useful human qualities as a leader by working towards the betterment of the boys' society. He knows that in order to stay civilized the boys need stability and order. He creates rules and a simple form of government to achieve this order. Ralph understands that the boys, particularly Piggy, have to be given respect and must be treated as equals. This makes Ralph a better leader, as he is able to acknowledge that he was not superior to any of the other boys. Ralph's wisdom and ability to look to the future also make him a superior leader. Ralph has the sense to keep his focus on getting off the island. He insists on keeping the fire burning as a distress signal. Ralph's leadership provides peace and order to the island while Jack's leadership creates chaos.
Under Jack's rule, the boys become uncivilized savages. They have no discipline. Ralph, however, keeps the boys under order through the meetings, which he himself calls. At these meetings a sense of order is instilled because the boys have to wait until they hold the conch to speak. When Ralph says,
‘I'll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he's speaking.’
By making such rules as these, and by giving the boys the stability of an authority figure, mainly himself, he enforces his role of leader. He wins the boys respect and confidence in his leadership abilities. Ralph uses his authority to try to improve the boys' society. By building shelters he demonstrates his knowledge of the boys' needs. When he says to Jack,
‘They talk and scream. The littluns. Even some of the others.'
He is referring to why the boys need shelters; they are afraid. Jack fails to realize the boys need security, stability and order in their society. Ralph understands that by building the shelters, the boys will feel more secure. This illustrates his superior knowledge of people, which makes him a better leader than Jack.
Ralph's treatment of the boys demonstrates his understanding of how people should be treated. While Jack considers the boys inferior to himself, Ralph treats the boys as equals. Ralph's superior leadership qualities are reflected in his constant defence of Piggy. Piggy is the weakest of the group and is therefore treated unfairly much of the time. When Jack hits Piggy and breaks his glasses, Ralph calls it "A dirty trick." Ralph's compassion and ability to empathize with others thus illustrating his understanding of people; while at the same time demonstrates Jack's disregard for other humans. Ralph's "government" is a form of democracy which gives each boy equal rights and an ability to express themselves. Jack treats the boys, especially Piggy, as inferiors. When Jack gets meat from hunting, he gives everyone some except for Piggy. When Piggy asks for some, Jack says, "You didn't hunt." Ralph and many of the littluns did not hunt, yet only this treatment is directed at Piggy. Jack's contempt for Piggy shows his inability to understand people, while a good leader would take care of all of his followers. Ralph possesses this understanding and is therefore has many more of the qualities suited for a leader
Ralph's common sense and ability to recognize what is best for the group as a whole further demonstrates his superior leadership skills. His main focus throughout the book is getting rescued and he puts much emphasis on this. He instructs the boys to make a fire and to keep it burning as a distress signal. When the boys do not share his enthusiasm for getting rescued, he becomes exasperated.
‘The fire is the most important thing on the island. How can we ever be rescued except by luck, if we don't keep the fire going?’
Ralph's determination to get rescued is not for purely selfish reasons, but rather, it is in the best interest of the group. When the boys join Jack's tribe; Jack only satisfies their short term wants and needs, such as the desire for meat. A good leader however, should look to the future and plan accordingly such as Ralph does. Although these choices may not always be popular, the better leader will carry out long term plans.
When Piggy says ‘which is better - to be a pack of painted niggers like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?’
He demonstrates how the boys; by not following Ralph, have been lead astray by Jack. Ralph's main priority is getting off the island, a much wiser choice for the boys to follow. Unfortunately, the boys decide to follow Jack, whose main priority is to hunt and play games rather than try to be saved. Had they listened to the better leader, the novel may not have ended as tragically.
Ralph's clear understanding of people and their needs make him a far superior leader when compared with Jack. Ralph's understanding of the boys need for stability and order through government and rules prompts him to improve the society in which they are living. Jack's society was barbaric and savage and met none of these needs. Jack treats the boys as slaves and inferiors. Ralph's patience and caring with the boys shows his ability to take charge and rule in an effective, yet democratic fashion. Ralph's priority to get off the island demonstrates his wisdom and ability to make decisions. Although a good leader may not be as charismatic as a poor one, it is important to choose the leader who will meet the needs of the people. The popularity of an inferior leader soon disappears, yet the wisdom and guidance of a good leader will always remain.
