To ensure the sphere of democratic influence on the island, Golding creates the character Ralph to represent democracy and be the democratic leader. Soon after designated chief, Ralph decides to establish another meeting, and “By the time Ralph finished blowing the conch the platform was crowded. There were differences between this meeting and the one held in the morning” (32). Taking on the responsibility as leader, Ralph outlines to the boys the intensity of their situation and their necessities for survival and rescue. As Ralph strolled along the beach, “He lost himself in a maze of thoughts that were rendered vague by his lack of words to express them. Frowning, he tried again. “This meeting must not be fun, but business.” At that he walked faster, aware all at once of urgency” (76). The intense pressure of responsibility pushes on Ralph’s shoulders, causing him constant worry for the welfare of the boys. When he realizes something must be done, the urgency of the situation forces him to react hastily. Aside from the boys, Ralph takes some time to look over himself, and “He pulled distastefully at his grey shirt and wondered whether he might undertake the adventure of washing it. Sitting under what seemed an unusual heat, even for the island, Ralph planned his toilet. He would like to have a pair of scissors and cut this hair-he flung the mass back-cut this filthy hair right back to half an inch […]Ralph turned his hand over and examined [his nails]. They were bitten down to the quick though he could not remember when he had restarted this habit nor any time when he indulged it” (109). Ralph’s preoccupation with caring for the boys caused him to not care for himself. Everything that Ralph knows falls apart as “the conch exploded into a thousand tiny white fragments […]Viciously, with full intention, [Jack] hurled his spear at Ralph. The point tore the skin and flesh over Ralph’s ribs” (181). Once the one thing Ralph stood for and believed in falls, so does he. Jack takes advantage of his vulnerability and wounds him, proving that Ralph’s democratic reign dismembered. Ralph is vulnerable and weak without the protection of democracy, and the conch was the one thing that fully enforced democratic rule and what Jack did put up with. Golding utilizes the creation of Ralph to maintain democracy and reason present.
Although there already is a democratic leader, Golding contrasts the character and role of Ralph by fabricating the totalitarian leader Jack. As Ralph lays down the rules of the assembly, Jack immediately jumps and says “’And he won’t be interrupted. Except by me.” Jack was on his feet. “We’ll have rules!” he cried excitedly. “Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks ‘em-“(33). Rules and enforcing punishment excites the totalitarian. As Ralph attempts to institute democracy and equivalent rights when speaking with the conch, Jack interrupts and makes certain that the assembly recognizes that Jack will interrupt when he wishes, regardless of the rules. Jack’s eagerness to enforce strict government on the island represents totalitarian regime. The dictator desires to create rules, since when rules are present, so is punishment. However, the rules never imply to the dictator himself. When Jack hears democracy attempting to triumph over his fascist views, he shouts “Conch! Conch!” […]We don’t need the conch anymore”’(101-102). Being a dictator, any form of democracy deems evil in Jack’s eyes. Eager for more people to follow him, “Jack rose from the log that was his throne and sauntered to the edge of the grass[…]Power lay in the brown sell of his forearms: authority sat on his shoulder and chattered in his ear like an ape[…] “Who’s going to join my tribe?’”(150). Jack’s dictatorship over the boys feeds him undeniable power. The boys view him as an idol as he sits on a throne. Power. After Ralph ran away from Jack for his life, “The chief snatched one of the few spears that were left and poked Sam in the ribs…The prodding became rhythmic. Sam yelled. “That’s not the way.” Roger edged past the chief, only just avoiding pushing with his shoulder. The yelling ceased, and Samneric lay looking up in quiet terror. Roger advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority”(182). Adolf Hitler had the S.A. and S.S. to enforce his dictatorship among civilians. Joseph Stalin utilized the K.G.B., initiating fear throughout his sovereignty. Italy’s Benito Mussolini employed the black shirts to terrorize the civilians, creating a fear to go against him. On this particular island, the totalitarian Jack exploits the character of Roger to institute a fear, a terror, a “country” scared of protesting against their leader. Golding crafts the character of Jack to expose the existence of totalitarian political allegory.
William Golding creates a political allegory in Lord of the Flies through the characterizations of Ralph and Jack and their power conflict. Ralph’s perseverance, rationality, and purity allude to his connection to democracy. In contrast, Jack demonstrates impulsiveness, selfishness, and intensity to illustrate his inexorable link to totalitarianism. Through the political allusions inherent in Ralph and Jack, Golding proves that the power struggle between the purity of democracy and the evils of totalitarianism remains violent, unfortunate, and perpetual. Political struggles expose the natural spirit of man, and predictably transform his character into one of animalism and savagery.