The Transformation of Jack in William Goldings Lord of the Flies Essay

The Transformation of Jack in William Goldings Lord of the Flies In the myth, Lord of the Flies, Jack is the character that experiences the most change. Jack begins the novel as a somewhat arrogant choirboy, who cries when he is not elected leader of the island. Jack is gradually transformed into a vicious killer who has no respect for human life. Through a series of stages, such as leading the choir, leading the hunting tribe, wearing the mask, cleanup position Simon, separating from the group and intentionally killing Piggy, Jack degenerates from a normal, arrogant school boy into a savage beast. At the beginning of the novel, Golding describes Jacks physical appearance as inside the floating drape he was tall, thin and bony his hair was red beneath the black cap. His face was crumpled and freckled and ugly without silliness (20). Jacks original intentions were to keep an organise group on the island. Jack agrees with Ralph when he brings the group together, saying, I agree w ith Ralph. Weve got to have rules and obey them. After all, were not savages. Were English, and the English are the best at everything. So weve got to do the right things (42). Although originally portrayed as a pretty normal boy, evidence of his hostility begins to emerge. While Piggy is talk of the town, Jack exclaims, youre talking to much. Shut up fatty (21). Jack is made the leader of the hunting tribe. He and his hunters have much trouble trying to hunt and kill a pig. Since he was raised as part of a sophisticated and wealthy family in England, he has not had any experience with hunting before. He struggles to pass a hunter. But Jack is shown to have savage urges early. The author says, he Jack tried to convey the... ...a vicious killer who has no respect for human life. workings Cited Magill, Frank N., ed. Masterplots. Vol. 2. Englewood Cliffs n.p., 1949. 3 vols. Matuz, Roger., ed. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Vol. 58. Detroit Gale, 1990. 68 vols. Michel-Michot , Paulette. The Myth of Innocence,. Matuz 175-7. Comments You have a solid discussion of Jacks transformation as well a veracious grasp of your language and grammar. Your introduction and your conclusion should be more detailed. In the introduction you should introduce the novel, itself, and introduce your topic. Why is a developing character outstanding to the development of the novel? Your conclusion should discuss how the change in Jacks character has affected the rest of the group, how it has affected the plot, and perhaps, why Jacks character degenerated instead of improving.